[JasonNZ]

Hi all,

We've recently purchased a new CNC (our first) for our workshop. We cut almost exclusively pine boards in to various component to manufacturing wildlife habitats. The timber boards we use are 21mm thick, 245mm wide and 2000mm long.

As this is our first dive in to the world of CNC machining, theres quite a bit to take in and get our heads around. We're looking for any advice that CNC veterans might have on tooling requirements and what we should purchase to start off with? Our focus is primarily on cutting those 21mm pine boards with reasonable speed and efficiency. Is there a CNC cutter that can do this is a single pass, or is multiple passes going to be the best option?

The CNC we've just bought is a BCAM BCM2040C with a 2000mm*6000mm*200mm working area.

[pippin88]

For CNC, spiral carbide bits are generally what you want.

Compression bits have an upcut tip and then most of the bit is downcut. This means if you are doing a full thickness cut, you get a clean cut on both sides. Upcut leaves a clean finish on the bottom and down cut on the top.

[ledaero]

Hi all,

We've recently purchased a new CNC (our first) for our workshop. We cut almost exclusively pine boards in to various component to manufacturing wildlife habitats. The timber boards we use are 21mm thick, 245mm wide and 2000mm long.

As this is our first dive in to the world of CNC machining, theres quite a bit to take in and get our heads around. We're looking for any advice that CNC veterans might have on tooling requirements and what we should purchase to start off with? Our focus is primarily on cutting those 21mm pine boards with reasonable speed and efficiency. Is there a CNC cutter that can do this is a single pass, or is multiple passes going to be the best option?

The CNC we've just bought is a BCAM BCM2040C with a 2000mm*6000mm*200mm working area.

More important than the cutting area, is the size of your spindle.

I can't find a spec for the 2040C, but the 1325C uses a 9kw (12HP) union, which should just eat through pine in one pass, easy.

Don't skimp on bits and buy cheap Chinese ones, or you will be replacing them every day.

There are some good US and European tool manufacturers that don't charge the earth.

You don't say what it is you are doing when you are 'cutting' - are you profiling ends and edges to fit together as containers/boxes?

[routalot]

I can't see any reason why you wouldn't be able to cut 21mm boards in one pass-just as long as your hold down system keeps them in place.In fact if you use compression cutters you only get the full benefit of you use a single pass.You might need to be vigilant to ensure the cutter is ok with a plunge cut as some don't cut where the central web is and while you don't tell us what software you use to generate the toolpaths there are often options to ramp down to full cut depth and this can help a lot.As with all business decisions you will find that company representatives will try to convince you that their products will fulfill your requirements and a few may be right.Much better to try several solutions and ascertain the reality for yourself.I have no particular affiliation to any one brand and have found that tungsten carbide doesn't get much better or worse according to which country it is produced in.Will it matter to you if the size of the cutter changes slightly after sharpening or do you envisage throwing them away when blunt?Handled with care PCD has incredible tool life and they don't cost all that much for the many hours of use you will get from them-just don't drop them.I suspect that like many before you will look back in six months and wonder why you didn't get a CNC machine sooner as it will make such a big difference to the way you operate.

[he1957]

Welcome!

Yes, once you start using CNC you can't go back (well, won't want to anyway).

Don't skimp on cutters as mentioned. Cheap bits will often give cheap results or short lifespans and can cause a lot of frustration with poor quality cuts.

For clarity see this https://www.toolstoday.com/router-bi...uter-bits.html

I had to look up PCD - not inexpensive but if as claimed they outperform carbide by 25x then well worth a serious think.

Another option depending on if they would work for your needs might be carbide insert tools. We don't know your spindle or what actions (cuts) you need but carbide inserts can be a good option if your tool setup can use them.

Be prepared for a learning curve and bit breakage (cheap bits are good for this phase but sometimes they break too easily) and it's often a good idea to try an air cut for new tool paths, especially while learning your machine.

Finally, CNC machines are about as smart as or perhaps dumber then a house brick and they have absolutely no respect for Humans so be careful!