[MatejProkop]

Hello All,

i would like to discuss with you how to design machine specific for machining soft plastic (cellulose acetate) --- eyewear

Currently, im using chinese 3020 machine with ballscrews and 1.5kw spindle. But im not very happy with surfaces after milling, i know it might be ****ty g-code from fusion (wrong feeds and speeds) but when i was trying slighly larger cnc with supported rails i had way better results (same controller and g-code)

Thats why i decided to design machine from scratch (not entirely true, i was very inspired by chinese 3018 machine) with square linear rails and faster ballscrews.

Let me explain what would be purpose of this machine > I will machine only cellulose acetate (mechanically similar to HDPE, softer than POM) maximum size of material would be 80x180x10mm, im using only 3mm and 2mm single flute cutters. I will have special clamping jig for material. Machining only 2D outlines (with several stepsdowns max 2.5mm) and little bit of scalloping on surface (not deeper than 3mm)

My goal is make machine to get best surfaces on edges, and after scalloping. I wont do anything else on this machine at all, no playing aluminium etc.

here are some pictures and description of yesterdays design >

https://ibb.co/KVkw76M
https://ibb.co/L5Y7xD1
https://ibb.co/BtMTLW3
https://ibb.co/jMSry21
https://ibb.co/YR23yft

I would be happy with any feedback how to make this better or which components to use.

[nlancaster]

I saw you get some grief on facebook over this design.

To me it looks like a good light duty machine.

Might consider going with nema 23 motors, nema 17 really have very low torque and with just a little bit higher price nema23s are way way more powerful.

Also, the extrusions that make up the lower structure of the machine, you should have them connected to a plate that spans the entire area of the bottom. This will make the structure much stiffer without much work.