Hello all, wondering if you guys can help me make a job more efficient.
A few times a month, we run about 1000 3/4"x4" HDPE circles with a .154" center hole. I cut the blanks 288 at a time on a CNC router and then they go over to a CNC mill where 2 at time, a full 3/4" radius is put on the edge of the circle. This is time consuming and I am being tasked with finding a faster solution to this. I have already suggested a dedicated vacuum fixture that does the same thing the mill does, just 24 at a time instead of 2. Boss likes the idea of just running it over a table router one at a time, a few seconds each. I like this too, but I know that I can't use a bit with a bearing because it needs to machine the entire edge. A template would be too time consuming. Can't use a 3/8" radius tool because there can't be a flat on the edge. They come out perfectly on the mill. So I have to match that while maintaining a .030 tolerance.
I am thinking of using the center hole as an axis to rotate the circle's edge into the bit. It's too dangerous to start with the piece already contacting the bit, so I'd have to figure out some kind of T-slot sliding fixture that puts the radius of the circle in the same place every time. Any other ideas that are obvious and I'm just an idiot?
Company is willing to buy new equipment for this job specifically, so if it requires new equipment no big deal.
Thanks in advance!
A few times a month, we run about 1000 3/4"x4" HDPE circles with a .154" center hole. I cut the blanks 288 at a time on a CNC router and then they go over to a CNC mill where 2 at time, a full 3/4" radius is put on the edge of the circle. This is time consuming and I am being tasked with finding a faster solution to this. I have already suggested a dedicated vacuum fixture that does the same thing the mill does, just 24 at a time instead of 2. Boss likes the idea of just running it over a table router one at a time, a few seconds each. I like this too, but I know that I can't use a bit with a bearing because it needs to machine the entire edge. A template would be too time consuming. Can't use a 3/8" radius tool because there can't be a flat on the edge. They come out perfectly on the mill. So I have to match that while maintaining a .030 tolerance.
I am thinking of using the center hole as an axis to rotate the circle's edge into the bit. It's too dangerous to start with the piece already contacting the bit, so I'd have to figure out some kind of T-slot sliding fixture that puts the radius of the circle in the same place every time. Any other ideas that are obvious and I'm just an idiot?
Company is willing to buy new equipment for this job specifically, so if it requires new equipment no big deal.
Thanks in advance!