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G'day team!
So, full confession... I suspect I've bought the wrong machine for the outcomes I'd like to create but I'm determined to learn all the same and see what's possible.
I bought one of these cheap eBay CNC router/engraver units.
Specifications:
Model: CNC3018PRO
Laser Power: 500mw / 2500mw / 5500mw (Optional)
Laser Wavelength: 12V, 405nm (500mw), 450nm (2500mw/5500mw)
Material: Aluminum Alloy + Phenolic Resin
Main Color: Black + Silver
Power Supply: AC 100-240V Output 24V 5.6A
Plug Type: US
Supported OS: Windows XP / Win 7 / Win 8 / Win 10 (32/64)
Supported Formats: jpg / bmp / png
Communication Port: Micro USB
Engraving Area: 300 x 180 x 45mm
Frame Size: 400 x 330 x 240mm(Not include the motor protrusion part)
Table-board Size: 300 x 180mm
Spindle: 775 Spindle Motor 24V: 8000r/min
Spindle Chuck: ER11
Step Motor: Fuselage length 34mm, Current 1.33A, 12v. Torque 0.25N/M
Drill Bits: Tip 0.1mm, 20 degree, diameter 3.175mm (Contains 10 pcs)
Software: GRBL Control
Laser Quick Replace: Support
Engrave Mode: Image Engraving, Text Carving, Scanning Carving, Contour Carving, Pixel Carving
Can Not Carve Objects: All metals, glass, stone, ceramics, jewelry, silver, reflective material, translucent & transparent material.
Can Carve Objects: All wood, bamboo, paper, plastics, leather, rubber, horn, sponge sheet, etc.
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It's a 1/8 shank unit so I've already figured out that bits are more limited for routing.
Basically, I'm trying to route out a 70mm x 70mm x 25mm deep pocket in hardwood.
My first attempt was with a 1/8" 4 flute spiral upcut end mill. It works but there is HEAPS of chatter and I'm quite sure it's doing damage to the machine and bit. And that was in pine. I've uploaded a little video:
dropbox.com/s/7j5ilutpwc8i81s/IMG_7958.MOV?dl=0
Next I tried a straight cut bit. It's 6.2mm wide and works a lot better than the spiral bit but is still struggling across the grain and jumping around a little bit. Video:
dropbox.com/s/97mgwpriz3sdb1j/IMG_8080.MOV?dl=0
I've tried to speed up my feed rate but that's just too aggressive. I've tried 2 different motor speeds, 5000 & 10000 but that didn't seem to make a difference.
The concern I have, first and foremost, is that if I'm only routing out 1mm at a go, it's going to take around 7 hours to complete. Something tells me that's gonna be too much for such a hobby unit!
Can anyone provide any insight into how I might tackle this differently.
I'm using Fusion 360 on a Mac and Candle GBRL on a Windows machine.
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