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hi all dose any one know a spechal tool or a tool to be adel to cut square or holes in plexiglass for push bottonts?????? for round circales i have a drill for lond sqeare holes i just cant get it right and what size plexiglass is used 2 or 3 mm i have 3 mm??? thanks
to cut laser plates is the best to use a laser, ask your local copyshop, stamp - engraving shop to help you. You can help him with a corel Draw file where the cuttingline is red.
I build my own CNC router to make panels and parts. Cost me less than $500 with all the electronics. I bought these plans: http://www.rockcliffmachine.com/
I too built a cnc machine to cut my own panels. Can you tell me what materials you cut? I cut mostly plastic and wood, but some plastics and plexiglass cause problems. Have engraved the panels with it as well?
BuddyM
There are really a lot of different plastic type out there. What you will find most are acrylic and polycarbonate. The first can be in two flavours, extruded and cast. The extruded thing will most of times melt under the bit while cutting but if at very low speeds (8K RMP and lower) because of it's properties and cells chemical form; really stay away for it. It can even damage your machine and will ruin for sure your bits. The cast thing is the best way to go even if somewhat more expensive then the extruded. It can be easily worked with a good tool with speed selector at about 15-18K RMP and even more.
Polycabonate can be used as well and it's something in the middle among the cast and extruded acrylic as properties. The good of polycarbonate is that it's very flexible and almost unbreakable. Good to be used for plain things like MIPs and so. The bad is that it isn't available in so many variations as the acrylic is. You'll hardly find it but in a clear and opaque colours.
thaks guys i whant to cut long sqeares into the plexiglass if any one has seen a747 200 auto pilot main switch will under stand do you guys ingrave and cut holes into your panels with a cnc and are your panels made from plexiglass??
I only cut wood and plastics (plexiglass/HDPE/UHMW). Haven't tried aluminum yet.Quote:
Originally Posted by Buddym
For the panels, I cut out the panel and the holes first. Then spray paint the panel, then engrave the lettering - this allows for backlighting.
I use the plexiglass they sell at the building supply stores. I use a Dremel and only use bits that are for plastic. I cut and engrave very slowly (5 IPM) and have had no problems.
I have a Bosch Palm Router (Colt - 1HP) for doing heavier cutting in MDF and other woods.
Although you can't backlight this, PVC material would be easier for you to work with using limited tools. It doesn't crack either and is easy to work.
i am thinking of geting a cnc macheine i dont think of building because i dont have the time and i have fallen back with the sim so if eany one knows how i can ask for it from a tool shop i am located in greece so some were in europe
as for cuting sqeare holes i have tried on a 3mm plexiglass but cant do it!!!!
it looks realy bad!!!!!!! and takes alot of time can any one sugest somthing!!
i live on a island of greece called kefalonia and we havent got cnc any were + plexiglass comes only in 3mm so any segestions?????
Buying a CNC machine complete will be very expensive.
Does someone on your island have a plasma machine? You could make the panels out of metal.
Also, check out Kennair's download on making your own backlit panels using printer sticker paper. http://www.mycockpit.org/forums/down...do=file&id=297
You could always make a rough cut on the plexiglass to get the square opening you want and the sticker can be cut out square using a knife.
maybe you can try this company:
http://www.schaeffer-ag.de/en/frontp...materials.html
I fit a small square file to my jigsaw for cutting square apertures after a pilot hole has been drilled.
Also it helps if you "back off" your drill bits for plexiglass. Backing off means grinding back the two sharp cutting edges of the drill bit a little, grind the edges off so the cutting face is 90 degrees to the material. This stops the drill bit digging in and breaking through the other side untidily. The same process is good for drilling soft metals such as brass and cast iron too. Don't push hard on the drill, go slowly and let the drill bit cut the material away slowly. Lube the plexi with a spray lube such as CRC or WDF to keep the plastic cool when machining, it also stops your jigsaw blades and files clogging up.
http://www.mycockpit.org/photopost/w....php?file=3925
Regards, Gwyn
thanks guys your info is very helpful sorry to say that my island has no laser cuting only found a guy that makes advertisment stikers for sighns and cars
i have asked one of my supplyers for a cnc router and he will let me know after easter so i will let you know what i find how do you backlight a metal panel???i thought of just painting and finding stickers and leave backlighting
but then i think if your going to do it than do it right!!!thanks
http://www.rayjetlaser.com
The smallest Laser engraving maschine plug and play!
Best regards
Jan
thanks jan for the site that is a butiful machein dose any one know how much it costs i sent a message but i cant wait!!!!:pi think it will cost alot of mony???
Correct me if I am wrong, but a laser engraver can only engrave things - it cannot cut this out like a CNC machine can.
Some commercial CNC routers:
http://www.probotix.com/
http://www.k2cnc.com/
http://www.nextwaveautomation.com/CNCShark.aspx
thanks auto cad but know i am mixed up:?::?:i thoght that a cnc router and a lazer engraver,cutter dont they do the same job??in my case it is to make panels from plexiglass so i can cut all holes neded with acurese 100% and than once i paint them to be abel to engrave on them for backlighting so dose the jetstrem do the job:?:or do i need a router cnc????
This info says that it will both engrave and cut acrylic - Just a question of what power setting you use.
The data suggests that you might need to buy the optional cutting table as well
The info does not state what the maximum depth of cut is - But I assume that you just make multiple passes until you get through ? - Any experts here ?
I would be interested to know how much it costs - I'm guessing about 1500 Euro
Cheers,
Rob
A laser cutting machine will cut things, I was only cautioning you on something called an "engraver". A laser machine will be much more accurate than a CNC router, but I expect the cost to be much higher.Quote:
Originally Posted by spiro
A laser cutting machine at work: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4n6qz7BBgQ
A K2 CNC router ar work: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYpkp...eature=related
A similar CNC that I built at work: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpxG_ByGj90
thaks for the videos:grin:i get the idea,rob i have sent a email to find out the price so will let every one know when they reply , i am also waiting on a supplyer of mine here in greece for afer ester to give me a price when he dose i will ask what make and model it is and also let you guys know because i dont know much of these cnc so somone could tell me if it is a worth it, the only good thing is that if i get it from him he will geve me 20 to 30% off the retail price witch is good i have bought all my tool and neary every thing i have in my automotive helectro garage so he will do somthing beter thanks alot guys and i will reply onece i have news;)
I use a laser cutter to do all of my panels, I dont own a CNC router ;)
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...1/DSCF3883.jpg
nice cutting how will you engrave if it was to make exampel a auto pilot panel???
You can use the same machine to engrave also, that is how many people make panels, but i use another laser engraver to do that for me
know i understand ok thanks for the tip;)
What Make/Model of Laser Cutter/Engraver do you use Phil ?
Rob
Sorry I cant tell you on a public forum, but the 2 machines together cost more than most simsQuote:
Originally Posted by RadarBob
Ok understood - Thanks Phil
I guessed that they may be out of my league - It was just for interest
really.
Cheers,
Rob
I have seen smaller laser systems for $5000 - $8000, but I have only read of them engraving, and cutting paper or thin sign making material. My cnc machine was only a fraction of that, but I would have to assume that if you had the right laser system that it would do a better job than the cnc.
I still don't have a handle on engraving with my cnc machine, but I continue to experiment and learn from my failures. It seems to do an adequate job cutting the panels, the only limitations are my own CAD skills and the lack of drawings for the panels I want to cut. I have cut a fcu panel, an engine start panel, and the flaps and gear panels, just eye-balling the control placement on panel dimensions I found on the web. Not perfect, but pretty good. As my CAD skills improve I hope to make better and better panels. By the time I get good I will be finished with the cockpit!!
Phil, do you make your own CAD files to cut from, or do you have a collection on which to draw from? Those panels look awesome!
BuddyM
Yeah those cutters will do the job, best go for the 60W system, but 40W will do the trick, but a little slow, keep in mind the two major drawbacks, panels cut will need annaeling befor painting and you are limited to 3D relief work you can do, so you will end up machining the back of the panels so if you have a CNC stick with that, however they are good for engraving, even the cheap ones.Quote:
Originally Posted by Buddym
I do all the panel designs myself, basically model the entire flightdeck in 3D, then export the 3D back to 2D for panels, I also have a nice collection of real panels to reference from to check accuracy, and the 3D stuff allows me to check everything fits how it should
Kind of off topic, but some people are even building laser engravers with DVD burner parts: http://www.instructables.com/id/60-L...raver--Cutter/