Can large 4x4 machines handle small machining?

[ezcnc]

I'm looking at some of the large cnc's like the CRP4848 for some larger things I'd like to do but I also have some small work and wondering how good they would be for smaller jobs.

One operation I need to do is milling a .10 inch slot, .15 deep in .375 6061 aluminum bar stock. Is that possible and if so does anyone have a source for mills that small?

Also is any type of surface milling/finishing of 6061 sheet aluminum possible?

[wingarcher]

I'm curious too- I like making lithophanes (just started, but like it!!) as well as cutting some plywood parts... and blue foam...

A 4x4 interests me as the extra working area would allow me to set-up fixtures in various places on the table and then leave them there. One corner makes lithophanes, the other side takes pieces of foam, and so on.

We've seen videos of the latest (and greatest!) 4x4 machine plowing plywood at bit-snapping speeds. How about doing 800 lines at .009 step over per line?

N

[freecncplans]

I have done lithos and carvings with no issues. I run my machine at 150 ipm. When I rebuild it, I should be able to run much faster.

Sean

[roy_okc]

I have a mid-sized router @ ~18x48" cut capacity, 80/20 frame, CNCRP R&P on X, 1/2-10 5-start Acme on Y & Z, PC 690 router.

I just finished my first lithophane, ~2.5"x3.7", running at 60 ipm (probably can go faster), with 1/16" bit, yesterday and it came out great.

I think the key to getting good accuracy is to spend the right amount of time, effort, and money in the areas that are apparent to movement (or not moving). Then, when it is up and running, learn and stay within the machine's limits.

Roy

[freecncplans]

I think I should have explained my self a little more. I run a CNCRouterParts machine that has a 5x6 cut area. The gantry is just a 3030 (3"x3") 8020 piece with a 1/4" by 4" crs on it. This machine is ran 4-5 days a week and 6 hours a day. It runs flawless and I can throw on a piece of oak and make a carving or a small litho. This machine I built has a double mdf bed on top of unistrut pieces. This machine does have some movement for now. I can't see where it even affects the carvings or lithos.

I take a new piece of mdf and run screws through it into the sacrifice top. I don't even skim the piece to make it level. I have made several lithos this way and they all turned out really good.

I am considering building a smaller machine just for lithos and carvings so I don't tie up my big machine.

I have seen youtube videos of people cutting aluminum with these machines. That is a whole new can of worms I don't know anything about.

Sean

[roy_okc]

I am considering building a smaller machine just for lithos and carvings so I don't tie up my big machine.

Sean

I'm also considering building a small (~12x12" cut capacity) for similar purposes. I don't need one yet, but keeping my eyes on some small designs in case I need to run more than one machine at a time.

Roy