Modify a Cricut Expression for Carbon Fiber cutting

[edugimeno]

Hi, I was thinking of using a Cricut Expression 1 that I have around and is already working with the computer (Sure Cuts a Lot) fine.
The idea is basically disassembling the whole thing and redo it on a flat board. Remove keypad, screen, etc, to make room around the carriage.
The final goal is to cut 1-2mm carbon fiber. I know this material is really hard so I'm sure I'm going to come up with a bunch of issues before I get it working.

My 2 first ideas were:
-Being a RC hobbyist that I am, using a big outrunner brushless motor to drive the spindle. Not sure if this is going to be powerful enough, I haven't been able to find any specification on how much power I need to cut CF.
-Use an second brand dremel-like tool. It already comes with the complete spindle, but takes more room.

For me it's just a challenge, I could for sure buy a real CNC router, but I already have a Cricut sitting around that I wanted to use for this. If this project fails, it's OK So please don't try to convince me that a Cricut is not the best option for this, as I already know it is not! As said, it's just a challenge for me.

So now, my main concerns are two:
-The solenoid that "pulls" the blade down in the cricut doesn't seem too strong, I mean, it has some power and it cuts thry cardstock, vynil, think balsa wood, etc, but I'm not sure if it will handle well with a router bit. I could probably redo the solenoid and output transistor to make it stronger if needed.
-Speed. The software can go as slow as I want, but I'm wondering how slow any of those options for the spindle (RC motor / dremel-like tool) will need to go to cut smoothly. I'm scared of all the comments about how hard the FC can be to cut.

Any thoughts from anyone who has approached a project like this before?

Thank you in advance!
Eduardo

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[russ57]

first. let me say i am new to cnc, but i have some experience with a cutter similar to the cri-cut. (black cat cougar) - so these are just my thoughts.
-if you use a rotary cutter, not a knife, i dont think the force to pull the cutting bit down will need to be high. However, you may need to be able to control the rate of descent - you dont want to 'jab' the bit into the work, you want it to cut its way in.
-from what i read, the dremel type of spindle may suffer from movement in the bearing - a little slop doesnt hurt for hand engraving, but may for your application, depending on the precision you require.
You may be able to overcome this with your mounting method.
the biggest problem may be getting the router up again - i guess the current blade is spring loaded 'up' and uses the solenoid to pull down.

just my thoughts anyway.