How thick polycarbonate for enclosure?

[MarkU]

I am making an enclosure for my CNC Taig mill, mostly to contain the mess and to keep passers-by from sticking their heads too close to see what it's doing. I think 48" wide by 36" deep by 30" high should do the trick (and fit the bench nicely). I am thinking of using polycarbonate, but am not sure how thick to make it, as cost is an issue. Do you think 3 mm would work? Or is that too thin to be comfortably self-supporting?

Thanks

Mark

[900steve]

3mm should be sufficient to keep swarf and coolant in.

I've been looking into using 80/20 Quick Frame for an enclosure, and I know many people have had good luck with it. The standard thickness that 80/20 offers ranges from 4.5mm to 6mm, however this doesn't mean this range is what your requirement needs. Personally, I plan on building with 4.5mm thick panels for increased rigidity, but obviously I'll probably end up paying more in material.

[rowbare]

I used Coroplast (HD carries it or beg some from a sign shop) to make the walls of my enclosure. If you don't need the whole enclosure to be transparent, it is a good option for a small mill. Since I don't use coolant 16-20" was high enough.

bob

[MarkU]

3mm should be sufficient to keep swarf and coolant in.

I've been looking into using 80/20 Quick Frame for an enclosure, and I know many people have had good luck with it. The standard thickness that 80/20 offers ranges from 4.5mm to 6mm, however this doesn't mean this range is what your requirement needs. Personally, I plan on building with 4.5mm thick panels for increased rigidity, but obviously I'll probably end up paying more in material.

I was thinking of doing it frameless, solvent welding and then using this stuff for hinges - do you think that would work?

[900steve]

you should try solvent welding first on a sample to make sure your hinge and enclosure materials will be compatible.
I think you may want to have some gussets to reinforce the joints where you have welds, but it sounds like it can be done.

[MarkU]

you should try solvent welding first on a sample to make sure your hinge and enclosure materials will be compatible.
I think you may want to have some gussets to reinforce the joints where you have welds, but it sounds like it can be done.

OK, thanks

The quick-frame is a neat idea, I hadn't seen that stuff before - I am having trouble finding pricing info on the 80/20 web site though - do you know where it is?

Thanks

Mark

[900steve]

you have to go through a distributor for 80/20 pricing, or probably contact them directly. but check on eBay, 80/20 has a "garage sale" store there where you can get good deals if you wait and watch for what you need.

[Menacer]

Hey Mark,

I just finished my second tank and I'm around $350 but a lot of the cost comes from 75% of this build being a Home Depot build.., so what size Taig do you have?

[Menacer]

Here is a pic.. I'm at 3' 2" long / 2'5" high / 19 deep my motor pops out of the top Z fully extended.. but I also have her on (about) 2 " stilts

[TarHeelTom]

I am making an enclosure for my CNC Taig mill, mostly to contain the mess and to keep passers-by from sticking their heads too close to see what it's doing. I think 48" wide by 36" deep by 30" high should do the trick (and fit the bench nicely). I am thinking of using polycarbonate, but am not sure how thick to make it, as cost is an issue. Do you think 3 mm would work? Or is that too thin to be comfortably self-supporting?

Thanks

Mark

I built an enclosure for my Sherline which is slightly smaller, and built it from 1/8" generic plexiglass. 1/8" is pretty close to 3mm.

I used short bits of al angle with screws to attach the plex to the base, and attach the corners.

The 1/8" enclosure is a lot stiffer than I thought it was going to be.

Tom