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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Posts
    7

    How to hold small workpiece?

    I have to mill few hundred of small blocks out of ABS sheet using 2D prog. Part is fairly simple and size is about 6mm cube having little corner radius. I'm trying to machine multi-pieces right thru out of a large sheet but problem is part moves and gets damaged at the end of the cut because no clamping left. Could someone advise the best strategy to machine without damaging the parts. Thanks in advance.

    Kevin

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Posts
    16

    tabbing

    Try using tabs, rout thru in some ares and not others and clean them up by hand. make tabs as thin as you can and you may be able to snap them off clean

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Posts
    7
    I thought so but visual appearnace on the part surface is very important and part itself is so small that not much left for routing once I leave some tabs on.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Posts
    16

    tabs

    How about 2 passes do tabs on the first pass, than cut tabs on the second pass. and also you might try contact cement. Are you using a down shear cutter I find that helps hold parts in place

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Posts
    83
    Heres a way I've done some thin sheet aluminum parts in the past. mill the profile, leaving the entire bottom of the slot intact but just a few thousandths thick. then drop down thru the part and cut it free with the exception of a small tab midway on each side. When you remove the sheet, you can turn it over and cut the parts free of the tabs with an exacto knife. Having the tabs NOT at corners makes this fairly easy.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Posts
    634
    Some more options:

    1. Leave about .002 material and run the blank through a sander (Performax drum sander) to seperate the parts from the blank.

    2. Use carpet tape to hold down the sheet, cut normally, then pull the parts off of the carpet tape.

    T

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    507
    I have seen it done like Metlmuncher says, it works! Otherwise it can be stacked and cut with a wire-edm.

    Klox
    *** KloX ***
    I'm lazy, I'm only "sparking" when the EDM is running....

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Posts
    340
    I like buscht's 1st suggestion. You could do that in a mill, possibly adding extra clamping in the form of wax so the parts don't fly off.

    Klox, edm ABS? That's a new trick

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Posts
    3578
    I like buscht's #2 suggestion. I have done this dons of times.
    use 3m doulbe sided tape.

    Use to do this for samll inserts for wax investment molds.
    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)
    Cadcam
    Software and hardware sales, contract Programming and Consultant , Cad-Cam Instructor .

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Posts
    2103
    Quote Originally Posted by Klox
    I have seen it done like Metlmuncher says, it works! Otherwise it can be stacked and cut with a wire-edm.

    Klox
    Klox can you edm plastic? I am probably showing my ignorance here but I have plenty of it to go around. :tired: I though ABS was a type of plastic and if it isn't be gentle when you tell me.

    Mike
    No greater love can a man have than this, that he give his life for a friend.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    507
    Hey guys, sorry i read this thread while wearing my welding helmet! LOL! No you can't edm plastic!
    My humble apologies........

    Klox
    *** KloX ***
    I'm lazy, I'm only "sparking" when the EDM is running....

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