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Using Phlatprinter III to cut Styrene

Discussion in '- PHLATPRINTER 3 -' started by pezzer2003, Jul 21, 2013.

  1. pezzer2003

    pezzer2003 Member

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    Just wondering if anyone has used there Phlat printers to cut Polystyrene/Styrene/HUPS?

    And if so, what settings you have used? eg: speed, what type of bit, etc.

    I have been trying to cut 1mm Styrene with a 2mm spiral bit @ 800 setting (on the CNCUSB Controller program). I also have has to mount the plastic to a thick (30mm) piece of foam. This issues i'm having is the edge is quite ruff and after some time the material moves. The movement is due to speed I think as the bit can't cut quick enough, so I need to slow it down. But other suggestions would be very much appreciated.

    Cheers,
    Matt
     
  2. ToxicToast

    ToxicToast Down in the weeds. Staff Member

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    That is a good question. I guess this would be similar to the PVC sheets Mark was cutting a few years ago when he was experimenting with multirotors. I'd like to know myself.
     
  3. Flashsolutions

    Flashsolutions Active Member

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    I have tried it on several occasions with very little luck. The bits typically heat up and melt the plastic or it chips the plastic if you can get the speed low enough or the feed rate fast enough. I tried different bits too, but I could not find any combination that worked very well, although for awhile I was cutting 1/8" ABS plastic sheeting with fairly good results. Somehow I lost the settings that worked and have been unable to discover what I used back then so I too would love to hear if anyone manages to document a combination that works.
     
  4. pezzer2003

    pezzer2003 Member

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    Yep. I am scraping to much plastic trying to find a good solution.. So far it looks to be med feed rate higher speed bit and multi pass for thick plastic.
     
  5. foamlvr

    foamlvr Member

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    Not exactly what your looking for, but really good info.
     

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  6. thunder hawk

    thunder hawk Member

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    I've cut 1/8th inch styrene on my PP3. I've had pretty good luck with it.
    I used a 1/4" bit turning at 15000 rpm's @ 25" per minute feed rate.
    I don't cut any deeper than a 1/32 of an inch in depth at a pass.
    I use a variable speed Bosch Colt router with my PP3.

    Keep compressed air blowing over the bit to clear the chips so they don't clog
    the bit. This will help keep the plastic and the bit cool. Make sure the bit is sharp.

    Make sure the top & bottom rollers have a good grip on the styrene.
    Use the side guide kit that Mark sells to control any sideways slipping the can happen
    when the bit is cutting across the Y-Axis.

    Hope this helps.
    GHB :good:
     
  7. pezzer2003

    pezzer2003 Member

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    Sweet. Thanks Thunder Hawk.................. I will have a go this weekend. I think it's time to upgrade my PP3 from the original router to a more powerful unit. This I will do this week..
     
  8. TigerPilot

    TigerPilot Well-Known Member

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    You don't really need to upgrade your printer, pezzer2003, the most important thing that thunder hawk said is the cooling air and the shallow cut!!!

    But if you do want to upgrade consider one of these options. http://www.phlatforum.com/xenforo/index.php?threads/yorams-mods.2389/ & more details here http://www.phlatforum.com/xenforo/index.php?threads/led-ring.3129/ which is what I did and 3Dmon has one too http://www.phlatforum.com/xenforo/i...-spindle-3d-printed-drop-in-replacement.2971/. You buy a collet that will accept 1/4" or a collet that will take 1/8", which is what I did.
     
  9. Flashsolutions

    Flashsolutions Active Member

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    Interesting... I've never tried any of my 1/4" bits. What number is your Bosch Colt set at when you run it?
    I nearly forgot about the problem of the chips needing to be blown away. That is definitely a must since they tend to get wedged in the rollers and can either scratch the plastic or simply cause the feed to stop along the X axis. I usually reverse the vacuum so that it blows the chips off the material. That works much better than trying to vacuum it up. I've never tried compressed air to keep the bit cool either. Thanks for the tips. I don't have anything at the moment that needs to be cut in plastic, but will definitely keep this in mind.


     
  10. thunder hawk

    thunder hawk Member

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    The lowest setting. I have gone as high as setting 2.

    Cheers.
    GHB.
     

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