Make Precision Carbon Fibre Parts Using A Desktop CNC Router
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 มิ.ย. 2024
- Detailed video tutorial covering all the steps from CAD design to finished component. We use Autodesk Fusion 360, configure the CAM settings, generate the G-Code, setup the Stepcraft router and then start the machining process.
The desktop router we used in this video (and use regularly) is the Stepcraft 840:
www.stepcraft-systems.com/en/...
The fantastic CAD/CAM software used in this tutorial is Autodesk's Fusion 360 which is currently available free of charge to many groups (including students and educators). Check out:
www.autodesk.com/products/fusi... - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
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This video was FLAWLESS, I’m blown away. Very well made and extremely informative. Props to the presenter as well, he was very knowledgeable and very well spoken. I’m impressed!
Thanks very much Kevin, it's great to have your feedback. More videos in the pipeline unfortunately we can never get them out as quickly or often as we like!
Finally a decent video on CNC. Thank you!
Fusion 360 is beautiful software!! Love it!
Great video. Clearly explains whole process.
Once again a fantastic video. No mumbo jumbo, just useable to the point information.Keep them coming!
Thanks a lot; I'm please this one seems to meet with approval, we were concerned it might be a bit heavy going but it is information we wanted to share because when you first start out with these machines there's not a lot of information around on some of the basic setup.
This channel and Stepcraft channel are 2 perfect examples of how other channels should be... I wish youtube had more channels like these :( Thank you so much guys, perfect video.
You're very welcome. It's our pleasure to make these videos and share what we know with other enthusiasts.
You're very welcome. It's our pleasure to make these videos and share what we know with other enthusiasts.
Great video, very well paced and explained. Thanks!
What a clear and concise video! Thank you.
Another thumbs up here. Whilst I understood Fusion360 from a 3d print perspective, I was brand new to CAM. I don't use a StepCraft machine, but I was able to use what I was taught in this video and apply it to the CNC and software that I use. Thank you for producing this video, it has been invaluable.
finally a detailed and very helpful video!
Great video! I've been using fusion360 for about a year for 3d printing and definitely going to have to step into a cnc router to round out my skills.
Thank you carbon fiber inventor from the early 20th century.
God bless.
Fantastic, you make it look so easy!
Great introduction video guys! very helpful.
Decent detailed video, Fusion360 is definitely a game changer for educators, hobbyist and home machinists, and the updates are relentless in a good way.
I was waiting for some fancy drone footage at the end of you skating into the distance on you're resin Infused Skateboard ;)
Nice job !
Honestly, yes, I'd have like to do this too. We do try to do something interesting at the end but it can end up taking nearly as long as the rest of the video! - We actually have more drone videos in the pipeline so I promise one will end with a proper closing sequence!
Fusion is a complete game changer! I love it!!
brilliantly explained
Excellent tutorial even though it's now like 5 years old. Still spot on! Thank you!
Tools are supplied with two properties, surface speed and feed per tooth. This two properties are enough to define the exact machining parameters that you should be using.
Surface meters for a tool like that might be in the range of 20 to 80 m/min which means that you want to times the diameter by pi and then divide the target surface speed to get rpm: 1.8x3.14 = 5.65mm/rev assuming you're targeting 20m/min then that works out to be a hair over 3500rpm. If you then had a .05 feed per tooth on a 3 flute endmill then you'd be moving forward .15x3500 = 0.535m/min
ALWAYS A BRILLANT VIDEO, THANKS
Great tutorial - thanks !
Great video! And a BIG plus for Fusion 360, which is AWESOME!
This is definitely a great part of the future - we can soon make whatever we want at home! And what we can't make ourselves, we just order online!
you can all ready do anything you want at home you just need the money and drive to do it , #invartoolsandyourownatowclaveFTW , IMO dont look online for composite info , most of it is low grade and crap we all ready figured out back in the 50s , if you really want to know what you can do with composites , just go to any arospace manufacturing plant , and ask if you can sign a NDA from and see the plant , and most will be glad to take you on a toor , PS most college classes will waste your time , good luck
Until they start charging 10 grand a year per licence
Very useful video. Thank you
very informative love this video
I like how he uses "The Force" to hand jog the machine through the axes.
well done
thank you
Thanks for the video. It helped me to machine my first part on Stepcraft CNC today. Carbon fibre, of course. Regards, KK
Where do you buy the CF sheet?
Hey, thanks a lot for the awesome tutorial, it helped me a lot! You explained things very smoothly, it was a pleasure to watch and learn!
I am able to freely cut 0.5mm Carbon with 0.8mm eBay bits for Carbon, but I am struggling for a while to cut 1.5mm Carbon.
I tried with 0.8mm and 1.4mm but they just keep breaking one after the other(Titanium Coating CNC End Mill Bit).
Also, I've tried using 200-300hz(12,000-18,000 RPM), with F50-F150(50 seems really slow) move speed of the XY/Z.
Also tried to cut in several layers (0.8mm and then another 0.8mm to complete the 1.5mm Carbon) with no real impact.
Sadly I am unable to use a bigger cutting dimension bit since the maximum cutting for my current project is 1.4mm. The dxftogcode converter doesn't allow me to use any less.
If anyone could help me out that would be really just awesome! I'd appreciate it a lot!
Have a great day! :)
Thanks for the tip about Fusion 360
No problem at all, it really is a great bit of software. All the best with it.
Great video!
this information is so valuable, thank you for sharing- we appreciate you Easy Composites Team!
Really appreciate the comment!
Thank you a lot. Usefull
thanks for making this video, i am making fpv drone frames and like the insight this video gives, great work:D
Glad it was helpful, thanks!
enjoyed your Video, great vid
nice product
For setting the Z axis you could also pick the top flat face
ur my inspiration and my sole purpose of living everyday
I would recommend misting the surface with water before cutting. This can help trap the dust. Carbon fiber dust is very hazardous.
Yes, that's a good idea. You can actually run the whole cut process under water, it's messy but very effective at eliminating airborne dust altogether.
@@easycompositestv How do you dispose the contaminated water in the aftermath?
@@jakobs4338 Cured composite is non toxic and can be disposed of normally. It is a lung irritant because the material is so tough your body cannot break it down well to remove it from your airways which is why it is important to reduce dust and use a respirator
@@jakobs4338 you may want to collect the contaminated water and then let the water slowly evaporate, i suggest indoors or when it does evaporate its just gonna blow that dust all around in the wind
Could you guys do a video showing how to make aluminum honeycomb cored carbon fiber sandwich's?
Also after cutting through a panel like shown in the video, should you re-coat the cut surfaces with epoxy to prevent de-lamination?
Ordered a forged carbon development kit from you for a 10m Air rifle stock i hope it will work if not will be a learning curve as I'm teaching my self how to use composites and using these fantastic videos for gideance
Very nice video, lot of thanks
Thanks Cherif, that's very kind of you.
Good video, well made and produced. Two comments about your process - 1) it's not necessary to cut so deeply into the spoilboard. Matter of fact, you can zero off the spoilboard rather than the top of the material and barely touch the spoilboard when machining and 2) you can make your tabs triangular and it smooths out your contour cutting because the machine doesn't have to stop, raise Z, cut the tab, then lower Z again - it's just one continuous move. You can also turn on 'Smoothing' in the 'Passes' tab to make curves smoother and get the added bonus of reducing G-code file size.
very impressive comment! no doubt you are very experienced cnc user ; )
great vid, thanks
Thanks Danny 😀
Another great video! I can highly recommend trying the PCD coated PCB router bits from Sorotec, they seem to last a lot longer than the normal types and are still very economical, shipping from Germany is fast too. I also use 3M77 for holding sheets but tend to use a drop of acetone to remove individual parts, that way you can store a given sheet complete with backer in your CAD and keep adding parts to use all the sheet (even internal offcuts if properly glued). For extraction I have a DIY system based on the Datron CleanCut system which leaves only a 10mm wide area of light dust around the cut. I just received some 1mm sheet from you today and just realised I need 0.5mm, it all comes in handy though :)
Good hints and tips and thanks for sharing. The more information out there the easier it is for people to learn.
Great video, thank you. Any supplier in South Africa please? Need a machine to cut drone frames on a small scale mostly, which model would be good enough for that please?
Nice setup Mark & excellent tutorial as usual from you guy's. I've had the same machine for some time now & Rory is a great guy at StoneyCNC. I went for the upgrade spindle motor as well & I'm considering a 3D printer head unit to add versatility. You can also fit a laser cutter head too by the way.
Hi John, yes, StoneyCNC (the UK distributor of the Stepcraft) have been great. We've purchased the drag knife option too and Paul has a keen interest in 3D printing so we may experiment with the printhead in the future.
I'll have a look at the drag knife cheers.
Thanks for the very beautiful videos. I would like to know, if possible, if a cheaper CNC like the Vevor 3018 could be suitable for cutting a 3 or 4 millimeter carbon plate. Thank you very much
What a great video. I watch a lot of youtube :/ I've been trying to settle on a machine / software combo for a while. I really like the Stepcraft and Fusion route. How does one index the material to the cutting envelope utilizing the operating tolerance of the machine? I'd like to machine precut stock that is affixed to a "precise cnc cut jig". +/- .005 -.010? Make sense?
Hi guys. With this video being 5 years old now; Would you still recommend this model Stepcraft as the best CNC Router around this price?
We don't really have an experience with other systems as we've been using the Stepcraft for 5 years now so we can't compare to anything which may have been launched since but certainly in terms of our use, the Stepcraft has worked tirelessly and without fault since we purchased it.
@@easycompositestv Great! Thanks very much for the reply.
As a user of Stepcraft 2 840 it is little hard to square off the alignment. The board is way outdated with serial port and it does not come with 52mm router adapter which is a norm.
Once you get all that going its a great hobby machine and this video is a super plus thumbs up! Generating Gcode from fusion 360 is a must learn steps to make absolute perfect cuts.
Please update the video with current version how to generate gcode as some things have changed. Best demo and insight on how to get started.
Thanks Marco, we'll have a look and see if a refresh is in order.
Come up with a way to support submerged machining of carbon fiber to help make it truly dustless. I have other machines I am considering that will let me do submerged milling while running a recirculation pump to filter the water and make for easy disposal.
Some gaskets r hard to get but if u could just trace the prt w/a light pen worst case connected to tablet w/wire, u could quickly get a picture of gasket u need & hve a company w/fancy CNC cut it out & ship it to u. Same kind of idea as when guy traces out template for granite counters.
Where can I get the UCCNC post processor?
I have a question can the hf spindel can cut tru metal like aluminium and steel
Excellent tutorial. Where can I get the UCCNC post processor for Fusion 360?
It was an option with the Stepcraft router. If you have a look on the Stepcraft website (or StonyCNC in the UK) then you can choose your Interface. The UCCNC processor is an option. When you have the UCCNC processor then it comes with its own drivers which you can then select in Fusion.
awesome video! Thank you 🙏
Quick question, which epoxy would you suggest to avoid shavings sticking to the part?
Im having the issue cleaning the part after milling, its like another processing after milling😰
That sounds exactly like the sheet you’re trimming isn’t fully cured. When you cut it, the resin in the shavings is softening, flowing, and then sticking. You need to post-cure your sheet (or cure at temperature in the first place) as this shouldn’t be happening and indicates the sheet isn’t fully cured. This will improve the mechanical properties of the sheet too.
Can it mount an indexing round table with T-slots, or a dividing head; are there parrallel strips, can it traverse from a vertical stop (a datum for working dimensions in a machining process)?
It comes off sounding like a desktop Horizontal Jig borer.
Hi, thank you for the video, extremely helpful as this is my first time working with CF + CADCAM. Where would be the best place in the UK to buy 500x500x2mm carbon fibre sheets with different finishing options?
ebay?
@@marc_frank cheers mate that's swag but I gave up months ago
Amazing video, i want to ask if this machine can cut steel or hard metals?
it can only cut aluminium and any other softer metals
Zinc, Brass, Copper, Aluminium alloys, Bronze, Nylon, Wood, Carbon (meaning carbon fibre?), probably some forms of Stone like Jade, Soapstone and Slate (in a bath bed, presumably)... it could be usefull, eh.
More videos please. It's been a long time.
Agreed! We're working on new videos at the moment. We hope to be publishing them very soon. Make sure you're subscribed so you find out as soon as we upload them :)
Agreed! We're working on new videos at the moment. We hope to be publishing them very soon. Make sure you're subscribed so you find out as soon as we upload them :)
Think I will get one of these. Have to find out how it works with Solidworks
I only did a quick search but there seem to be a few How to CNC with Solidworks videos on YT using the Stepcraft equipment so I'm sure you'll find something useful.
You say full speed, but what is the ideal spindle speed for carbon?
Is that the HF Spindle 500 and controller you are using? Does the Kress 800 you offer also include a speed controller?
Yes, we upgraded and went with the HF 400 spindle; I think this is a good investment. We're just an independent company who have a Stepcraft router so we're not 'offering' it ourselves but I'm sure if you speak to Stepcraft themselves (or one of their distributors) then they will be able to answer your question on the "Kress 800".
Definitely worth providing info about the risks of cutting/filing/sanding carbon, given the varying and confusing H&S info about it - some authorities class it as a carcinogen as per asbestos (due to similar particle size and risks) and others class it as an irritant. We've had CNC of carbon sheet refused by several suppliers because of the risks.
Thanks, we answered this in quite a lot of detail in our 'How to Cut Carbon Fibre - Technique and Safety' video: th-cam.com/video/EWzN6GZeEzs/w-d-xo.html - Of course, we can't control how different companies or organisations might classify the risks of cutting carbon but we presented the broad consensus as best we could. We do so many videos, generally all featuring carbon fibre, that I don't think it would be practical to repeat it every time. However, I will add a link to that video from within this one - good idea.
Good work!
Could you Please Demonstrate the Step-Craft machine with a Drag Knife, Cutting out Pre-Preg.
Hi, thanks for the suggestion. We don't have anything like this planned just yet but if we do a tutorial or demonstration on kitting prepregs then we'll try to do it using the Stepcraft.
Hello,if you cut something out of carbon fibre with this machine and the dust extractor on do you think you can use it without an mask?
It depends on how much you’re cutting. I’d probably wear a mask anyway, if I was in the vicinity for a long cutting operation. You could always cut under water (using a water bath) which stops any airborne dust.
Excellent ! is machine available in Australia. Whats maximum Dia cutter can use & what Material can cut
If you contact Stepcraft themselves, they will be able to confirm if they have distributers in Australia and which models and hence specification would best suit your needs.
@@easycompositestv Thank you :)
What’s your cnc machine ? Brand and model? Please! Love your channel, amazing !
This is a Stepcraft. Please follow the link in the description to the project page on our website where you’ll find a link to the CNC machine and we’ll as a list of all the materials used in the tutorial.
@@easycompositestv thanks! 😁
There is no plan to ever charge Students/Schools/Startups for Fusion 360 (That would be short sighted of us)
Hahaha. Classic.
@@thetinguy it is!
It seems much shorter than ever , only one year haha
I noticed you selected UCCNC for the post processor to ensure accurate control of the Stepcraft CNC machine. That post processor type is not included in my list of processors for Fusion 360. Please explain how you obtained this post processor. Thank you.
We purchased the UCCNC interface as an option when we got the router. Once you install the software for the interface then you can select it from inside Fusion360.
Thank you
How thick a sheet and how complex a shape could you make with Carbon Fibre using this method? Would 25mm in a dome with curved recesses be possible or would a sheet bigger than 3mm be impractical?
The limit on the thickness of sheet is the limit of the machines axis in that direction which in this case is 40mm as a realistic limit for overall thickness.
That's awesome news... thanks a heap. Might get to designing... just need a way to fix a nut inside the carbon sheet and I think I might be ready to prototype...
Hey, what spindle did you choose for your stepcraft router?
We Chose Stepcraft's own "HF Spindle 500"
Let's say you'd have more complex bodies. How do you generate the shape of Prepreg cuts, despite of doing it by hand? I'm constructing my own bike frame, similar to Vlad's and I'm facing the problem of creating precise Prepreg cuts.
Best Regards
Well, it really depends what is dictating the ply shapes themselves. It’s pretty rare that a bike frame would have been FEA modelled with such complexity and detail that the individual plies, shapes and orientation have been modelled. So, more likely you’re working out the shape, size, number and position of these plies using a more iterative and hands-on approach. Work from paper or film templates and the CAD up these templates to make your cutting ‘kit’.
@@easycompositestv Thanks for the response!
Hi do you recommend the Stepcraft 840? Any information would help me make an informed decision to buy or not. Thanks
The only Stepcraft we've tested is the one we use in this video. We still regularly use the machine, particularly for cutting carbon fibre sheet where we're using it to cut accurate 'tokens' for our tensile test machine and so far it's been reliable and a pleasure to use. In terms of how it compares to other machines, it's difficult to say because we've only used this machine and a small ball-screw desktop CNC which we use for heavier machining operations like 3D machining tooling board (it's the one you'll see us using in this video th-cam.com/video/CWAvo8DIZ9s/w-d-xo.html&). The reason we use the other CNC for the tooling board is because the D-Series don't use ball screws and when the load is higher, ball screws are preferable (such as those featured on the Stepcraft Q-Series machines).
Easy Composites Ltd. Thank you for the detailed response. Btw Great videos.
Hello, i am ready to order the 840, however my question is, does this custom post work with 4th axis machining? I have the student version of Fusion 360 which is a great cad/cam software.
I'm not 100% sure. My colleague Paul (from the video) is more likely to know but he's on holiday this week. It might be worth discussing this with Stepcraft themselves to make sure.
+Easy Composites Ltd Thank you very much, i already have a custom post.
Looks like I'm buying a CNC now.
How’s the CNC machine? I think one is on my list now
Would a CNC router still be useful on sandwich structures? Or would the cores allow for too much movement if the top laminate?
(video on different cores would be nice, please. Wink wink nudge nudge)
Hi Jakob; generally, CNC routing would be fine for sandwich panels. The actual sideways pressure of the cutting bit on the top skin of a sandwich structure needed to cause any detectable 'shear' would need to be huge. Setting the router up correctly (in terms of bit speed and traverse speed) should be all that's necessary to avoid any such problems.
I tried these settings with a 2.5mm sheet and the spindle did not cut all the way through. I was getting gcode with ZMIN of 1. What numbers need to change based on thickness? Thanks.
You may need to adjust your settings or check your existing settings to get the result you desire. If you are still struggling, we would recommend contacting Stepcraft direct as they may be able to give more specific set up figures for your machine.
I wanted to have a 200x200x4 mm bed mount machined for my 3d printer but it CF was 4x more than grade 5 titanium
what template of Mach3 is?
How did you get the gloss finish on both sides?
The carbon fibre sheet we used in this video is our High Strength Double Sided carbon fibre sheet which is made on a heated platen press; it's pressed between two sheets of special glass and so it is naturally double-sided.
5 years down the road and as someone who wants to cut carbon fibre, is this the right way of doing it in regards to carbon fibre dust or should it be cut in a waterbed?
With suitable dust extraction this is still a perfectly acceptable method to cut carbon sheet.
@@easycompositestv Thank you. I will have to research whats suitable.
Hi there, can you let us know what spray mounty product you use? Thanks
3m 77 Spray adhesive was used but any similar product would work fine.
@@easycompositestv many thanks, will look out for it
Cheers
do you have any advise on buying carbide drill bits for machining carbon fiber
We just purchased the router bit from a supplier on Amazon. Just search for PCB cutter.
These are what I use, they ship to the UK very quickly.
www.sorotec.de/shop/Cutting-Tools/sorotec-tools/1-8-tools/1-8--Shaft-Mill-Tools/Diamond-Toothed-Coated/
Only accurate to .1 of a millimeter? Have you got any good machines that has a repeated accuracy of around .02/.01 mm?
Hi Diet, we don't sell CNC machines, we just wanted to make a tutorial to show how you could use them to cut carbon fibre sheet. 0.1mm accuracy is plenty for most applications.
is there some way to scan an existing part as a starting point in Fusion 360, and then clarify dimensions?
There are 3D scanners just for that purpose. Albeit it is not cheap to do.
Is it possible to make a die cutter for the 0.25mm stock if I have a pattern?
We have not seen it die cut so it is worth experimenting first to see if you get the neat finish you want before committing to making a full die cutting tool.
Do you actually need any code if you can control the cutting head using hand gestures? :)
If you have direct control you can in effect cut what you want "freehand", however you would normally still need to generate code if you wish to program the machine to cut a set design out.
one hand gestures , another hand control keyboard simultaneously! so never trust what you ve seen by only one eyeball haha
super glue the edges folks. No one wants to cut their finger on a sharp corner (-8
sweet video with a lot of detail!
where can i buy that cutter and what are the dimensions so i can program it ?
We just purchased the router bit from a supplier on Amazon. Just search for PCB cutter.
Peace be upon you
I'm very happy for the video.
I'm from Bangladesh. I wanna buy the Stepcraft or buy the assembly parts.
Please could you help me?
I will be very happy If you help me ?
Hi Muhammad, I'm afraid that we don't sell the Stepcraft router - it's just one we have for our own personal use. I think the best thing would be for you to contact Stepcraft themselves and ask about what dealers or distributors they have who would ship to India. I hope this helps.
Have you used cnc machine to engrave text on carbon fiber ? If the size of text is like the size of youtube comment? Is it possible to accomplish that with cnc machine?
Carbon Fibre can be engraved by CNC no problem. Using a good quality engraving bit will ensure the best results.
Hi there.
Do you find that you consistently can get better than +-0.1 of tolerance?
Hi Mikkel, it would depend on the equipment we're cutting on, the type of material we're cutting and the cutting bit, the pass depth and various other parameters (including how well held down the stock is). If all of these parameters are appropriate, most desktop CNCs will be operating around that accuracy. Of course, if you crank the speed up, fail to secure the stock properly, run blunt cutters and try to cut too deep per pass (flexing the structure) then you're going to compromise accuracy.
@@easycompositestv thank you! Have you tested how it fares in aluminium with regards to tolerances?
I'm thinking about the stepcraft M.1000 and would like to know what I can expect of tolerances.
looks like car gaskets prt only u can reuse it after taking it apart because carbon fiber, bad ass, even more so on RC prts.
It isn't a gasket but part of a UAV frame.
What did you use to glue the plate on the wood?
Just good quality double sided tape.
UCCNC post process it's not on my screen
Maybe can work there . I am from indonesia
Is the quadcopter design available?
The quadcopter is one of our own designs and you are more than welcome to the CAD files which we can offer in Fusion format or .DXF If you would like this then please email us at Sales@easycomposites.co.uk
Do you guys take order for custom parts
Hi Alexander, I'm afraid not. I guess that's one of the reasons we wanted to demonstrate the process as best as we could so that customers can cut their own sheet (which we do make), or at least show this video to a friend with a CNC router.
i use waterbath to cut carbonfiber easy and clean cut, no carbonfiber dust...
heldgop
Enclosures with dust/fume extraction/filtration is another option as some circumstances do not permit a water bath. In fact, water bath or not, an enclosure is a great idea for many reasons.... Noise, projectiles, better illumination, non-intentional contact with job/spindle, use of cutting/cooling fluids... Did I say noise?
I wanted to make a product using carbon fiber but how can I commercialize my product? Do I need some license from you if I'm using your fiber to make my product?
We have plenty of customers using resins and fabrics supplied by us to make products they then sell on. There is no need to get any license from us to sell your own products with us as a material supplier.