Is it at all possible to build a metalworking CNC router out of aluminum profiles.

[pippin88]

Been a while since I've bought steel but that price seems reasonable, particularly if you can buy per metre (not by the whole length).

[Mr. Ben]

Hi, all.
Can I get in on this?
I too built an extrusion frame router and am not happy with it's stiffness. I wanted to machine Al, and it does, if you go slow. So I am going to build a new frame and move all the motion parts over. I have some Questions about how to proceed. I don't want to hijack this thread!

Ben

[wizard]

Hi, all.
Can I get in on this?
I too built an extrusion frame router and am not happy with it's stiffness. I wanted to machine Al, and it does, if you go slow. So I am going to build a new frame and move all the motion parts over. I have some Questions about how to proceed. I don't want to hijack this thread!

Ben

Hi Ben.

If you want some help create another thread. In this case though you just highlight a common result that people get when trying to build a router for Aluminum machining. That is a machine gets built that doesn’t mechanically meet the users needs.

So your post offers a good point for the original poster to consider. He really needs to consider mechanical stiffness.

[peteeng]

Hello Mr Ben - Many threads in here cover upgrading routers to be able to cut aluminium. Most upgrades do not get there as the basic machine does not have the potential for the required stiffness, as you have found out. So its a start again process. If you start at the gantry most calculations take you to something like a 200x200x12mm thick aluminium extrusion or a 200x200x6mm steel section. Its better to be bigger in steel a 250x250x6mm is good. Then everything has to be scaled from that. Here's my thread on designing a router for aluminium. "Routering" actually milling light metals is quite a step up for a machine from soft materials. Peter

https://www.cnczone.com/forums/austr...ml#post2337406

[teamloks1]

Hello Mr Ben - Many threads in here cover upgrading routers to be able to cut aluminium. Most upgrades do not get there as the basic machine does not have the potential for the required stiffness, as you have found out. So its a start again process. If you start at the gantry most calculations take you to something like a 200x200x12mm thick aluminium extrusion or a 200x200x6mm steel section. Its better to be bigger in steel a 250x250x6mm is good. Then everything has to be scaled from that. Here's my thread on designing a router for aluminium. "Routering" actually milling light metals is quite a step up for a machine from soft materials. Peter

https://www.cnczone.com/forums/austr...ml#post2337406

hi Peter do you have your router design for sale?

[peteeng]

Hi Loks - Pricelist is here thru link at bottom of page. https://cncrouterkits.com.au/maximus...ty-cnc-router/ Peter