Hi,
Is it? I know that if you have a large and/or complex model then you can buy compute time on the cloud, but all my models are simple enough to run on my PC.I just modelled the heavy C beam extrusion in Fusion 360 but didn't realise the FEA part is in the paid subscription part of the program
I'm just trying to recall when I first started using FEA, before I paid the subscription....I think.....but I can't be sure. I wont say I use FEA regularly but whenever I'm designing a
part it is of immense value to illuminate those material and section constraints. You'd think its all obvious but until you've modeled and simulated it you just don't know.
Craig
C-Beams: basically, NO.
The trouble with C-beams is very basic: they have little strength against twist. And if they are weak in twist, that is what they will do in any CNC. And the shape can also distort even with simple bending, so they will do that too.
The difference in weight between a C-beam and a square box section is not great, but the difference in stiffness, against both bending and twisting, is large - very large.
Rolled steel C-beams are NOT meant for structural engineering.
Cheers
Roger
Ok guys so here is what I've found in my searches for a machine.
Thanks for all your help along the way. I really appreciate it.
Model Size Work surface Manufacturor Price Link Shipping Turbo 1500x1500 1300x1300x100 BlueCarve $4,910.00 Facebook group ??? Lead CNC 1500x1500 1300x1270x200 Maker Store $3,867.35 https://www.makerstore.com.au/product/kit-leadv3-cc $0.00 WorkBee V3 1500x1500 1300x1320x110 Maker Store $3,712.03 https://www.makerstore.com.au/product/kit-wbv3-cc $0.00 Outback 1500x1500 1275x1315x135 Maker Store $5,068.12 https://www.makerstore.com.au/product/kit-otbv1-cc $0.00 PrintNC 1500x1500 1310x1270x133 ThreeDesign $2,928.34 https://threedesign.store/metric-frame-size-calculator/#f1p0 $0.00 Scoot 2 Tetra Motion
As you can probably see the DIY PrintNC is much cheaper but comes at a cost of being DIY. Which I am happy to do.
PrintNC is also made from steel tubing so it should future proof my machine if I step up into cutting metals.
So I think that's what I'm going to try and make.
These are all routers, not true CNC machines. You get what you pay for, but if woodworking is your thing, then they should be OK.
PrintNC is also made from steel tubing so it should future proof my machine if I step up into cutting metals.
I am sure it will cut softwood and plastics reasonably well. Big area too.
If you go slowly it should also manage to cut soft aluminium with a 2 or 3 mm (sharp) cutter as well. Steel? Forget it.
I suspect that the makerstore aluminium frames will flex with anything harder than wood or plastic imho. But that is what they are made for (or for printing).
There is a reason why even small CNCs made for cutting metal use many hundreds of kilograms of frame.
Cheers
Roger
Yeah I doubt steel will be easy but I don't really think I will ever be milling steel. Aluminium is probably my limit.
If I want to mill steel I will get a CNC mill instead.
But for wood, plastic and Alu I think I can get tolerances good enough for my hobbyist self with the PrintNC and have fun putting it all together
I think I can get tolerances good enough for my hobbyist self with the PrintNC and have fun putting it all together
I really am not trying to be critical. Really!
If you want to CNC wood and plastic, then go for it.
I suspect that at least half the fun will be in building your machine and getting it to work.
Cheers
Roger
Tell me about it!
I have just spent about 2 -3 weeks replacing the drive power supply for the spindle. The KBWT-26 it had died and the company was not forthcoming with help. The internal +15 V rail was reduced to 60 millivolts. They offered no help at all. I don't like companies which do not support their products.
So I bought a Chinese unit from ebay: 220 VDC, 10 A, ucpu-controlled, ... nice control over parameters, $60 + shipping. Very nice.
Cheers
Roger
Model Size Work surface Manufacturor Price Link Shipping Turbo 1500x1500 1300x1300x100 BlueCarve $4,910.00 Facebook group ??? Lead CNC 1500x1500 1300x1270x200 Maker Store $3,867.35 https://www.makerstore.com.au/product/kit-leadv3-cc $0.00 WorkBee V3 1500x1500 1300x1320x110 Maker Store $3,712.03 https://www.makerstore.com.au/product/kit-wbv3-cc $0.00 Outback 1500x1500 1275x1315x135 Maker Store $5,068.12 https://www.makerstore.com.au/product/kit-otbv1-cc $0.00 PrintNC 1500x1500 1310x1270x133 ThreeDesign $2,928.34 https://threedesign.store/metric-frame-size-calculator/#f1p0 $0.00 Scoot 2 1220x1670 1240x900x190 Tetra Motion $4,750.00 https://www.facebook.com/ScootCNC/ ???
Edited the table to include the Scoot 2 info