📰Weekly Recap Newsletter

7/13/2024

Welcome to the fourth edition of our Learn Your CNC Weekly Recap!

We've been thrilled to see so many of you putting last week's tramming tips into practice. Your before-and-after project photos showcase the incredible difference proper alignment can make.

This week, we're tackling an often-overlooked aspect of CNC work that's crucial for both your machine's performance and your health - dust collection. Plus, we're diving into a cutting technique that might just revolutionize your approach to certain projects.

Ready to breathe easier and cut smarter? Let's jump in!

🛠CNC Troubleshooting Corner🛠

This Week's Issue:  Inadequate Dust Collection

You're noticing excessive dust buildup on your workpiece, machine, and in the air, leading to poor visibility, potential health hazards, and increased machine wear.

Possible Causes:

1. Undersized dust collection system

2. Leaks or blockages in dust collection hoses

3. Improper placement of dust collection ports

4. Incorrect dust shoe design or positioning

5. Cutting parameters generating fine dust instead of chips

Quick Fix:

1. Ensure your dust collector is properly sized for your CNC.

2. Regularly inspect hoses for leaks or kinks. Clean or replace clogged filters.

3. Position dust collection ports as close to the cutting area as possible. Consider multiple ports for larger machines.

4. Use a dust shoe that surrounds the entire cutter and maintains contact with the work surface. Adjust its height for different material thicknesses.

5. Adjust feed rates and depths of cut to produce larger chips rather than fine dust when possible.

Pro Tip:

Consider implementing a two-stage dust collection system. Use a cyclone separator before your main dust collector to capture larger particles, extending the life of your filters and improving overall efficiency.

Need More Help?

Join our weekly Q&A sessions or ask Spindle Sam for personalized troubleshooting advice!

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📖CNC Term of the Week📖

Climb Cutting

Definition: Climb cutting, also known as down milling, is a cutting technique where the rotation of the cutting tool moves in the same direction as the feed of the workpiece or tool path. Why it matters: Climb cutting can produce a smoother finish, reduce tool wear, and in some cases, allow for faster feed rates. However, it requires a rigid setup and can be more demanding on your machine. Conventional vs. Climb Cutting: In conventional cutting, the cutter rotates against the direction of the feed, causing the chip thickness to increase as the cut progresses. In climb cutting, the cutter rotates with the direction of the feed, starting with the thickest part of the chip and exiting at zero thickness. When to use: Climb cutting is often preferred for finishing passes and when working with materials prone to chipping or tearout. It's particularly effective when using CNC routers on wood or plastics. Caution: Climb cutting can cause the tool to "climb" or pull itself into the work on manual machines or those with significant backlash. Always ensure your CNC machine is capable of climb cutting before attempting it. Tip: When climb cutting, start with conservative feed rates and gradually increase them while monitoring cut quality and machine performance. The improved surface finish often allows you to skip additional finishing steps, saving time in your overall process.

 👉LEARN MORE CNC TERMS HERE👈

👇This Week's Highlights👇