Need Advice for cutting aluminum

[ripper7777777]

I want to be able to cut aluminum sheet, mainly 1/8" thick, but maybe 3/16". Originally I looked at mills but the pieces I need to cut average 4"x16" up to 20". So I'm thinking a router is the only way to go. I have used a friend of mines routerat his signshop and works very well, but Gerber Products are very pricey.

Is there any other options other than a router and if not is there any routers that you all recommend for cutting aluminum. I'm ok with multiple passes and slow feed rates, anything beats the bandsaw.

I was looking at building a rockcliff, I have heard some people managed to cut aluminum on it, but it seems like a hard task for a machine built out of wood.

I would also be cutting a lot of polycarbonate.


Thanks for any help.

[Ptownkid]

The big question here is what is your price range?

[ripper7777777]

Well I'm not sure what my budget is, I have seen machines for around 2500 to 3000, so at the moment that's kinda what I'm working with. The gerber my friend has was over 20 grand at although it works it seems really small for that kind of money.

[Ptownkid]

I'm running a Step-four machine for .125" aluminum and i love it

http://www.step-four.at/e_index.html

are you looking to go dos or windows?

[ripper7777777]

Windows would be great, but really I could careless as long as it cuts...LOL

My designs are in a sign program made by gerber graphics, I can export files to .dxf and hpgl along with other formats. It's a vector based program that runs my plotter, so I'm hoping it will work ok with this. I don't need any 3D Milling type stuff, well not yet, maybe later.


I can't seem to find any pricing info on their site.

Oh and I'm in the US so a US dealer would be great.

[Ptownkid]

Well, they have a decent package that runs on dos for $2500 euro that comes with the gantry, router, bits, and the milling software. Or that same package that runs on windows is about $2800 Euro.

the work area is 540mm x 320mm x 75mm

Here's their price list I found, but there is a distributor in canada and the price will vary based on freight

http://www.step-four.at/hp2/download...nal%202007.pdf

[ripper7777777]

Thanks, I just sent an email to The Cooltool about the stepfour.

I'm guessing your using the Basic 540 machine, what router/tool are you using with it to cut aluminum? Excuse my ignorance I'm very new to the whole CNC router thing.

[Ptownkid]

No worries man, so am I for the most part.

I am using the Kress FME for most things, but I also picked up their HF spindle because they have an engraving attachment for doing fine text.

and yes, i have the basic 540.

drop me an e-mail and I'll send you some contact info for the canadian distributor.

diypartssupply at rogers dot com

[ripper7777777]

Alright. I'm still a bit confused as to what I should get, Mill or router, so many people say if your going to be cutting Metal go with a Mill.

So I was looking at Grizzly and found some of these, I'm assuming they can be fit with CNC.

http://www.grizzly.com/products/Mill-Drill/G3358

Like I said my cuts would primairly be flat sheets, but I may later like to get into more 3d Parts, of course that requires software and a lot of learning...

The thing I like about a router is the fact it can hold larger pieces of material, but a mill would handle the aluminum without any issues.

Thanks for the help.

[Ptownkid]

Personally, I'd go router style milling machine, but it can be done with a mill like that.

Question is, do you have the time to convert something and do you have the knowledge to do it. I had considered doing the same thing for a while, but in the end decided that my time was worth more than saving, at best, $1000.