[DIY-Guy]

What spindle for a wood router? How big should it be to achieve a high feed rate? (Assume an extruded aluminum frame gantry and not "big iron.")

Who has one or can lead me to a supplier website?

Thanks!
DIY-Guy "The newbie attempting a 2800 ipm feedrate for his learning curve."

[ger21]

"High feed rate" can mean different things to different people. If you really want 2800ipm, Id guess you want about 15HP. You're looking at $10,000 or more. Give HSD-USA a call. 954-587-1991

Also check here:

http://pdscolombo.com/fan_cooled_rs_rv_manual.htm

http://www.ekstromcarlson.com/router_packages.htm

[DIY-Guy]

Thanks for the referral, that number got me through to Lucas and he's talking to me.

http://HSDUSA.Com

Now, does anybody know if there yet exists a liquid nitrogen coolant type of toolhead yet?

This can be the first reference to it online for "prior art" purposes.

It's an invention that would best serve the public interest if it were in the public domain.

I'm imagining something like a hollow tool with liquid or compressed nitrogen flowing through it, expanding and carrying away the heat of friction with it. Then we could cut wood or other materials at much higher feedrates.

Cooling via expanding neutral gas could work well for porous materials such as wood, plaster, etc., without soaking the workpiece. Perhaps even chilling such materials such as stone could help the bit chip away more material per revolution.

DIY-Guy
"Thinking outside the box with blue sky ideas for CNC."

[ger21]

I'm imagining something like a hollow tool with liquid or compressed nitrogen flowing through it, expanding and carrying away the heat of friction with it. Then we could cut wood or other materials at much higher feedrates.

With the right machine, wood can be cut with no coolant at 2500+ ipm already. going faster requires an extremely solid machine, and very high HP, which = $$$$$ I think a bigger problem with trying to cut that fast is getting a quality cut. Also, thinking about your plan, a hollow tool would be much weaker, and wouldn't freezing it make it very brittle?

A recent article in one of the trade mags did some testing with a cold air vortex cooler on a router. I believe they got about 30% longer tool life vs regular compressed air as coolant.

[DIY-Guy]

Googled "liquid nitrogen cooled tooling" and found this interesting article about some university research.

http://www.ctemag.com/dynamic.articles.php?id=156

Looks like my good idea was a little late in coming. But I do still wonder if LN would help some of the porous materials mentioned.

DIY-Guy "Making something out of nothing requires a whole lotta tooling to get started!"