Never used CNC, but need to find one for the lab

[bluesteps]

I never used a CNC before, but I am asked by my boss to look for one for my lab (electronics lab) because I am the only one who used a milling machine (non-CNC) before.

Budget: very crazy range, 1K ~20K.

Purpose:
1. Cut aluminum panels (19" rack panels), for example, D-shaped holes for electronics connectors.
2. Cut aluminum blocks (6" by 6" by 2" maximum) into enclosures to host some weird high frequency boards. Like the one in the picture here: http://www.surplussales.com/Images/R...s/rf-pd2_2.jpg
3. Cut PVC or polycarbonate boards for some structural support (4 ft by 4 ft max). This is less often needed and thus optional. If that adds up the price by 100% or more we can forget about it.

I tried to figure out by myself, but it is just sooo hard without even knowing where to start.

Thanks in advance.

[TOTALLYRC]

I never used a CNC before, but I am asked by my boss to look for one for my lab (electronics lab) because I am the only one who used a milling machine (non-CNC) before.

Budget: very crazy range, 1K ~20K.

Purpose:
1. Cut aluminum panels (19" rack panels), for example, D-shaped holes for electronics connectors.
2. Cut aluminum blocks (6" by 6" by 2" maximum) into enclosures to host some weird high frequency boards. Like the one in the picture here: http://www.surplussales.com/Images/R...s/rf-pd2_2.jpg
3. Cut PVC or polycarbonate boards for some structural support (4 ft by 4 ft max). This is less often needed and thus optional. If that adds up the price by 100% or more we can forget about it.

I tried to figure out by myself, but it is just sooo hard without even knowing where to start.

Thanks in advance.

Industrial hobbies has a nice machine for your needs and it has quite a large working envelope. Well within your budget.

Since the doing of the 4 x 4 panels is optional, you could just do them in a 2 step setup. do half of the part, move it and do the rest.

It should do very well on the 19" rack panels.

http://www.ihcnc.com/pages/cnc-mill.php


Mike

[Geof]

Forget about 3 you are not going to get anything to do that size as well as do 1 and 2 in your price range.

Actually the 20K is too low for a real machine as opposed to a hobby machine.

The closest thing to your upper price is a Haas TM-1; go to www.haascnc.com and find a dealer near you and start asking them questions.

[bluesteps]

Thank you, Mike and Geof. I really appreciate your help.

The industrial hobbies cnc doesn't look professional enough. The TM-1 looks really nice, and 4k extra is probably very acceptable. Our work is very simple, and it just looks a little bit too fancy for us

[cruzan]

Have you checked out the ez router? Fits your need and your price range. I hear alot of good stuff about them. Unfortunately I didnt buy from them..

[Crevice Reamer]

Let's nail down that work envelope a little better. When you say 19 inch panels, are you actually having to cut a hole on each end? What is the farthest distance between holes? That will determine your maximum X travel. (Left to right)

How wide are these panels? How much would the mill have to move forward and back? (That would determing Y travel needed.

How long is the longest tool (or deepest cut) needed? That will help determine the z travel you will need.

How often are you going to need to do this? Is it a production thing or just for prototyping?

CR.

[bluesteps]

Wow, there are so many helpful people here. Never been to a forum like this

I never heard of ez router, but it looks like that it would do a lot of the work we need here. Do they do good work on aluminum?

max x distance = 24", max y distance = 12", max z distance = 2".

These are for prototyping. We probably need to use it weekly or monthly.

[Geof]

It is likely a router would be inadequate for your category 2 requirement.

Regarding your comment about helpful people I think that CNCzone does have a preponderance of people who will offer constructive suggestions.

[TOTALLYRC]

Thank you, Mike and Geof. I really appreciate your help.

The industrial hobbies cnc doesn't look professional enough. The TM-1 looks really nice, and 4k extra is probably very acceptable. Our work is very simple, and it just looks a little bit too fancy for us

I am glad to help, as I have been helped myself.
I think that the IH is decieving you, and for the price of the Haas, you can get 2 of the IH mills. Don't forget to include the cost of tooling, as it can easily run several thousand dollars to get started.
You will need a vise, holdowns, a selection of drills and endmill, etc,etc,etc.

Wow, there are so many helpful people here. Never been to a forum like this

I never heard of ez router, but it looks like that it would do a lot of the work we need here. Do they do good work on aluminum?

max x distance = 24", max y distance = 12", max z distance = 2".

These are for prototyping. We probably need to use it weekly or monthly.

For something that you use once a week, 20K is a lot of money.
Of course a tormach mill might also work out for you depending on the actual size of the work envelope that you need.

As far as helpful people go, I too was pleasantly suprised when I started to hangout here.

Mike

[Crevice Reamer]

max x distance = 24", max y distance = 12", max z distance = 2".

These are for prototyping. We probably need to use it weekly or monthly.

It looks to me like you will need TWO CNC machines--A medium sized Router and a small mill.

I recommend the Novakon NM-135 for the small mill:

http://www.novakon.net/3.html

And this Iron Man 4 axis router:

http://www.blurrycustoms.com/product.../standard.html

CR.