Cutting Carbon Fiber

[TazChris]

Hi,

Finally got a machine up and running and am in the process of wanting to cut some parts for some rc cars for both myself and some friends. What would be the best tool to cut carbon fiber plates that are .1 or .12 inches thick?

Thanks,

Chris

[CNCadmin]

I have found that router bits 2 flute work very good, how will you get rid of the dust?

[TazChris]

I haven't gotten to the ventilation part yet. I know breathing that stuff is like working in a coal mine so I'm thinking of all of my options.

Thanks for the advise,

Chris

[CNCRob]

Does anyone have any good sources for carbon fiber?

[TazChris]

For small orders: http://www.arts-hobby.com/ Pretty good selection at ok prices.

For larger orders: http://www.kcinc.com/ Huge selection, good prices, but have to buy in volume.

Chris

[George Sparr]

We manufacture cabon fiber laminates and we have a large amount of .140" x 3" x 18" drop off. It is made up of Uni-Directional Carbon Fiber laid up at 0/90 to each other and cured in an AutoClave. The surface is a flat black. Price $10.00 each. Call me at 800 811-2009 if you need more info.

[LexLuthier]

I us diamond coated 4 flute 1/8 end mills (OSG EXOCARB) from MSC for $64 each. I am cutting knife scales from 3/32 carbon fiber plate dry in 2 passes at 6500 rpm ,15 in/min. I run one as a rougher then on as a finisher. Switch Finisher to rougher after 250 parts and load a net bit for the finisher. Dust goes in dust collector.
Good Luck.

[ViperTX]

Straight cuts....I would use a shear....take a look at the TREX website...they may have some info on there and then check the carbon-fiber manufacturer's website for cutting ideas and check out the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).

[benergy]

EVERY ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!CARBON FIBER DUST IS NOT LIKE A COAL MINE IT IS MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH WORSE. MY FIRST ADVICE IS WET CUTTING AS WET AS POSSIBLE. UNDERWATER IS THE IDEAL. Few people have the funds or technology to filter extracted carbon dust.
I have been involved in composite production for quite a few years and had the pleasure of chatting to scientists involved in that field of research. The general feeling was watercut it or dont cut it at all, we dont even know the full health story with it yet, exept it's not good, i assumed a similar cautionary tale to asbestos, but theres more to it than that, only in the last couple of years have real 'carbonosis' (i presume the term would be) cases begun to appear, . I use large amounts of it in ski and snowboard production, and take great care in keeping it away from milling and trimming lines in the layups.

I dont mean to be so alarming, im just passing on the sentiment of those that seem wiser than me.

x
Benergy

[braidmeister]

Just use a regular old dust collector and you will be fine. Waterjet cut carbon fiber edge quality SUCKS...I know because I have the account for a very well known automotive accessory company that was disappointed with wj edge quality & gave me the job. I cut all of their carbon for them with my CNC router. Use diamond tooling and dust collection...I've cut hundreds of sheets of carbon in various thicknesses. If you are ultra paranoid, wear a respirator.

-B

[CNCZONERAMICO]

Wet cutting is the way to go if you are concern about health issues and we all should be. Safety first.

[tahustvedt]

I don't know who to believe, but it's best to err on the side of caution. I had a basic course in (aircraft) composites and the composite instructor told us the health hazards concerning carbon dust were highly exaggerated. His biggest worry was that the dust got into electronics and caused electrical problems.