8020 Router w/ CNCRouterparts - Problem with Static

[kbone054]

OK. I have only posted a couple times here but have managed to accumulate enough knowledge to finally build a machine using 8020 material and mostly parts from Ahren's cncrouterparts.com.

The router was primarily built to route out 6' X 3' EPS Foam panels from 3" thick stock.

The router works incredibly well and I can get speeds up to 1,000 ipm, but here's the problem:

I have a vacuum hooked up but it only collects about 90% of the foam particles, which is perfectly fine with me but the particles that it doesn't catch, wind up "sucking" up to the gantry via static and by the end of my routing, the gears in the rack & pinion jamb up because the foam works into these parts and compresses with each pass and over time, jambs everything up.

This wouldn't bother as much if I had only a couple of panels to cut. I could stand by with a vacuum; but I have over 100 of these and I want to be able to load a part and walk away until it is done. I have tried running a piece of wire from a copper water pipe to the gantry with no luck.

1 other issue that is minor, but if anybody has any suggestions, is that I fill up a 10 gallon bucket with the foam remnants with each piece. Any ideas on collecting this highly static foam "dust" more efficiently or ways to cut without so much dust?

I know my dust foot and skirt could use a little work but mainly, does anybody have any suggestions to keep the static off of the gantry?

In the pics you'll see I attached a piece of vinyl underneath to have he foam attract to that rather than the gears. This has worked better, but foam eventually works its way up in there.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
I posted a few pics and a video below (sorry for the bad quality and choppiness of the video. I will try and get a better one up soon):

[ilya]

This looks like heck of a problem... I don't think that grounding the machine will do a significant difference, considering that the extrusion is anodized, and anodizing is an insulator.

I'd probably concentrate on improving the "shoe" to catch more chips. And make some rails and lead screws protection, maybe attach some wipers to clean the debris...

Actually, I'm cutting plastics for some projects and that's the same problem I'm facing right now. I'm going to implement some protection solutions because otherwise those chips will ruin the mechanics one day.

____________________________________________________

My DIY CNC machine plans at www.8020cnc.com

[CarveOne]

Suggestions:

Use internal tooth lock washers at every screw and bolt to bite through the anodized surface. You can remove the anodized surface around each screw and bolt if you want to be sure of good connections.

Ground the dust collector frame ground connection to the CNC machine frame with bonding braid and use a hose that has an internal drain wire that can be grounded to the dust collector. The AC ground path in the power cables must be connected together and go to the proper AC ground point in your building.

The hose can be found at woodworking supply stores and websites.

CarveOne

[jsheerin]

You could make a cover for your y axis. Check out this router for some ideas. I plan on using his general method when I redo my router to keep junk off my rails and rack.
http://lmwatts.com/cnc.html

[mlabruyere]

....Man I am trying to get my head around the curtain spring tension follower setup.....frick .....I just don't get it.

[Jesse B]

You could try coating the aluminum in some non-conductive coating such as Plasti-Dip or similar.

[PaulRowntree]

You could try coating the aluminum in some non-conductive coating such as Plasti-Dip or similar.

Won't that just make the problem worse? And the anodizing is insulating as well. I was thinking of going the other way : there are conductive coatings like aquadag (colloidal graphite) that can be painted or sprayed on to most surfaces. When the carrier dries, you have a thin conductive layer that may look like h*ll and can be rubbed off, but it may work. Just make sure that there are lots of paths to ground this layer, as CarveOne suggested.

If you buy the paint on version, be warned that bacteria LOVES this stuff when wet, and when you re-open the paint can your nose will tell you there's life in there!

Cheers!

[lgalla]

As CarveOne says.you must have a drain wire in the vacuum tube.You can get massive shocks if you touch the vacuum tube and the frame.Zap!Not very good for the drives.
Possibly running a strip of ground bonding copper wire along the gantry width would attract the foam chips as it would be a better ground than the aluinium frame.
Larry
Try http://www.screentec.ca/index.php?ma...roducts_id=357

[lovebugjunkie]

Removed, my idea will not work with r&p

[Jesse B]

Won't that just make the problem worse? And the anodizing is insulating as well.

Yes it would. Sorry, misread the first post

[kbone054]

Thanks Guys.

I think I am going to start off by extensively grounding everything I can. I am kind of grounded right now, but through the anodized aluminum, which obviously is not doing anything because of the anodization.

I will go out and get a new vacuum hose with the wire in it, and ground that also.

We'll see how the above works, and i'll post back. If more needs to be done, I think I will try and make some sort of grounded "shield" around the gantry. (at least on the bottom and return up the sides)

Also, as far as static spray goes, I will look into ordering some of that spray that Larry posted or keep researching some kind of coating to apply.

I have tried normal "Staticguard" that you find in the grocery store. This seems to work for about 5 minutes, but then builds up again rather quickly. I'm not sure if the sprays are all formulated the same way or not?

I appreciate everybody's help. These forums are truly incredible.

I'll report back later in the week as soon as I can find a bit of time to make the adjustments.

-Kevin

[jscavitto]

Just an idea here…. you might want to check your humidity in the winter months we usually have less humidity…. so you might want to try a humidifier to help combat the static