584,866 active members*
5,142 visitors online*
Register for free
Login
IndustryArena Forum > Material Technology > Material Machining Solutions > Need Recommendations to cut carbon fiber
Results 1 to 11 of 11
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Posts
    608

    Need Recommendations to cut carbon fiber

    hello everyone,

    I want to take my "making" to next level and have the need to cut some items out of 1/8" carbon fiber.
    Think of it making quad-copter parts (although that is not what I am doing).

    My question is, what type if end-mill should I be looking to buy and what rpm / feed is this material typically cut at?
    Thanks in advance !

    CR

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538

    Re: Need Recommendations to cut carbon fiber

    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Posts
    608

    Re: Need Recommendations to cut carbon fiber

    yikes.. can't you find me the x3 for $20 version to play with? lol

    so then next question is, how do you figure out feed with those crazy multi-flutes

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Posts
    608

    Re: Need Recommendations to cut carbon fiber


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538

    Re: Need Recommendations to cut carbon fiber

    Worth a try. I didn't look at the price of that other one, lol. Was in a hurry to post a quick link.
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Posts
    4252

    Re: Need Recommendations to cut carbon fiber

    Even PCD-coated carbide may wear rather quickly against carbon fibre. The carbon tends to 'eat' the diamond coating away.
    Can you get CBN-coated cutters? CBN is not eaten by carbon.
    EDIT: yes you can. Not a new unsolved problem.

    The alternative is to see how many units you can machine using really cheap carbide router bits, and to replace them frequently.

    Cheers
    Roger

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Posts
    166

    Re: Need Recommendations to cut carbon fiber

    Hi Fox I make my own quads from 3mm ply wood its better than carbon fibre and just as light and for about 12 bucks you can make about 10 frames
    here is a screen shot of one I just completed this measures 615mm across the center and weigh's 230 grams
    this frame is very strong might be a bit of food for thought.
    Carbon fibre is conductive and I'm told it can interfere with you transmitter and telementry data signals hard to machine and very expensive.
    Wood might not survive a heavy crash but hey niether does carbon fibre first rule of flying don't crash.
    you quite welcome to my planes ifClick image for larger version. 

Name:	Wood Quad.jpg 
Views:	0 
Size:	37.0 KB 
ID:	360294 you want.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Posts
    608

    Re: Need Recommendations to cut carbon fiber

    Thank your the posts everyone. I will have to try that.
    squirrel_41 that looks great. I will keep that in mind for the future. Right now I not making quadcopters. I just uses the analogy for the type of cuts I want to be able to make.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Posts
    1723

    Re: Need Recommendations to cut carbon fiber

    Fox,
    Be very careful if cutting Carbon Fiber it is very dangerous to get that dust in your lungs. They usually use machines with filters totally enclosed to ensure no one get exposed to the caustic dust.

    Russ

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Posts
    608

    Re: Need Recommendations to cut carbon fiber

    Quote Originally Posted by CNCMAN172 View Post
    Fox,
    Be very careful if cutting Carbon Fiber it is very dangerous to get that dust in your lungs. They usually use machines with filters totally enclosed to ensure no one get exposed to the caustic dust.

    Russ

    Thank you Russ.
    I am going to be exploring cutting under water (in a tub),

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Posts
    5516

    Re: Need Recommendations to cut carbon fiber

    If you can find Onsrud 68 series tools - serrated edge solid PCD teeth... I use them for CF as well as G10-FR4. But even they dull after a while, but longer than carbide. What I did was alternatively elevate some sheets, so that I could use a different part of the flute, which gets more use out of them. I only side-mill the stuff, so for pockets and holes I helix in and side mill the full thickness of the sheet. If you try to step down, you'll wear the tip right away, and possibly get it red hot in the process.

    Check eBay... they come up once in a while...

Similar Threads

  1. Carbon Fiber
    By Magnum164 in forum Tormach Personal CNC Mill
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 06-01-2020, 06:22 AM
  2. Tools for machining solid carbon (not carbon fiber)-more posted
    By camcutter in forum Composites, Exotic Metals etc
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 04-28-2007, 12:23 AM
  3. Carbon fiber
    By CNC Pro in forum Community Club House
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 03-13-2004, 11:32 AM
  4. carbon fiber
    By teilhardo in forum Community Club House
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 03-05-2004, 11:40 PM
  5. carbon fiber
    By Hobbiest in forum DIY CNC Router Table Machines
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 01-23-2004, 10:40 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •