Haymarket, VA
Has anyone used an X-Carve CNC machine to cut playfield plastics? I am looking at getting a CNC machine that will cut playfield plastics, tired of doing it by hand.
Any thoughts?
Thanks
(Topic ID: 180464)
Don't see why not. No reason any Cnc even low end couldn't handle 1/8" polycarbonate. Double sided foam tape will become your best friend too.
I would personally suggest to use a laser. Most makerspaces have those sitting around nowadays. Will be faster and more accurate.
Jan
Quoted from Trekie:You can get a China laser to cut plastic for $450. It will do a nicer job and a lot less of the mess. Check out the videos on u-tube first.
Got any links to them?
Ottawa, ON
Laser cut a plastic (PETG) that does not produce dangerous gases when laser cut.
My local public library has a $20,000 laser cutter I can use for free!
Quoted from dr_nybble:My local public library has a $20,000 laser cutter I can use for free!
WHAT!, lucky 
Are you guys talking about clear plastics? ... Or Is there a method to printing plastics to a sheet which would then need to be cut?
I don't see how even a cheap Cnc isn't accurate enough to cut playfield plastics. With right rpm's and a good bit it will leave a perfect edge.
That being said I'm all for new and cooler tech so if you have access to a laser Cnc then sweet! I would say if you are buying something, a regular router Cnc will be more versatile than a laser Cnc.
Sana'a
Build your own CNC Mechmate.
I've built 2 of them, excellent design and 20x stiffer than a Shopbot
Full Plans:
https://thepiratebay.org/torrent/6221548/MechMate_CNC_Router_Plans
(only press the "magnet link" on any page. Don't click ads or "download now" or anything else.....)
I've cut plastics on my CNC machine that has a palm router as the spindle. Just get a bit/endmill made for plastics and it will work well. If it's not an appropriate bit you'll just end up melting the plastic and essentially melting instead of cutting along the edge.
If you're on a budget, go for the cheap sets of 10 endmills available on Amazon. You get 10 endmills for way less than the price of one good quality one and they're "good enough", and certainly a good starting point for learning and making mistakes. Nothing's more disheartening than breaking brand new $30-$50+ endmills on your first test run...
Quoted from vid1900:Build your own CNC Mechmate.
I've built 2 of them, excellent design and 20x stiffer than a Shopbot
http://mechmate.com/
Full Plans:
https://thepiratebay.org/torrent/6221548/MechMate_CNC_Router_Plans
(only press the "magnet link" on any page. Don't click ads or "download now" or anything else.....)
What is the average cost to build a MechMate?
My small $350.00 CNC cutting plastic
https://www.facebook.com/rich.benton.18/videos/10208623778329128/
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