[vacpress]

Well, I managed to get a copy of gibbs to use from school until I am done with this project. Got to get it sorted by tuesday, to cut on wednesday.

Have decided on the following method unless someone tells me a better way:

Use the drill process and contour process to program majority of parts. Cut them to around .007 from sacrifice material. Drill straight through.

Following Operations:

1- Start with .125 twist drill bit, drill the aprox 50 holes that are smaller that .25
2-Manually change to .250 twist bit Drill the aprox 20 .25 or larger holes
3-Manually change to .125, 2-flute end-mill to attempt to cut countersinks and drill sizes that there are no collets for.. These will have the .125 pilot holes already.
4-Manually change to .250, 2-flute flat end-mill cutter. Cut slots, then pockets
5-Cut all contours to around .005 to .08 from 0

I am worried about the 1/8" end-mill breaking. Or the .125 Drill Bit.. Scary stuff, with a ~$80 piece of material and 2 inexperienced programmers at the helm of a machine meant for cutting softer materials! My only hope is that by preparing as much as possible and over designing the process in advance, I can make it all possible in 1 day without being in the way at the shop.. Oh boy.


I currently do not have much gibbs experience, and none with the 2d or 2.5d stuff at all.. Neither does the guy who usually runs the machine. Furthermore, he claims he has never done a toolchange. I think I can figure it out though.

It should go great(looks at feet)!