julianf
Member
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- 7,938
- Location
- devon, uk
I have been planning on fitting better clamps to my CNC machine for ever, but i just cant think of the best plan, for a number of reasons.
a) i need to have a void, or a sacrificial layer under the job, that needs to remain flat
b) i need clear space around the job
Currently, i clamp from the sides of the job, with cam clamps, and the job has a void under it. Ie the job is compressed from its sides.
This is good as it allows maximium work area on the sheet, and allows a finishing pass using the edge of the cutter (ie the endmill passes through the material, into the void, and then runs around, skimming the last 0.2mm off the edges)
Its bad, however, as the more parts that get removed, the more flex the job has, and the more chance of it jumping out of the clamps.
Things ive considered -
Standard T slot table (always seem big money for what they are) and an acrylic (etc) sacrificial layer.
Id have to constantly swap the layer, which would be irritating, as it would get rucked up, and then the next job wouldnt lay flat.
Same void arrangement as currrently, but with different bolt down arrangement (rather than the side compression)
...and a load of other stuff, none of which seems to work well.
Any ideas?
a) i need to have a void, or a sacrificial layer under the job, that needs to remain flat
b) i need clear space around the job
Currently, i clamp from the sides of the job, with cam clamps, and the job has a void under it. Ie the job is compressed from its sides.
This is good as it allows maximium work area on the sheet, and allows a finishing pass using the edge of the cutter (ie the endmill passes through the material, into the void, and then runs around, skimming the last 0.2mm off the edges)
Its bad, however, as the more parts that get removed, the more flex the job has, and the more chance of it jumping out of the clamps.
Things ive considered -
Standard T slot table (always seem big money for what they are) and an acrylic (etc) sacrificial layer.
Id have to constantly swap the layer, which would be irritating, as it would get rucked up, and then the next job wouldnt lay flat.
Same void arrangement as currrently, but with different bolt down arrangement (rather than the side compression)
...and a load of other stuff, none of which seems to work well.
Any ideas?