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Enclosure Upgrade
After the provision of a CNC router, it can be necessary to install an enclosure around the machine as an upgrade. This can be due to noise reasons, due to safety reasons and a number of other factors.
This option is possible after a tabletop installation of an open router, however, it is not as cost-effective as opting for the enclosure when the router is installed. There are some modifications that are required to allow the router to be enclosed. As an example, a safety interlock switch is integrated into the no-volt release circuit of the machine power management system.
In addition to providing safety enclosures for all our range of machines, we can provide you with a custom enclosure for your CNC system. Just contact us for more information.
External Electronics
In some cases where the CNC router is to run with mist/spray coolant continuously, an external control unit is required to house and protect the control electronics from the water ingress. For example, the use of a sprayer cooling system can greatly improve the stability of cutting aluminium and can help keep materials like acrylics cool when machining. We use the dual nozzle Fogbuster system when running with coolant.
High Quality Connectors
We use high quality IP67 connectors to interface with the controller. The cables are managed in the rear of the machine and usually have 2-3 metres of length between the machine and the controller.
Z-Axis Throat Modification
Z-Axis Throat Height Flexibility
We were approached and asked about a number of performance aspects of the professional routers. One of which was “could we machine holes for cable glands on the end of a 600mm high enclosure box?”. The depth of travel of the Z axis was not the issue here as it was a simply 2D profile into the 3mm plastic enclosure. The problem was the ability to mount the long aspect ratio dimension of the enclosure into the machine.
Part removal of the T-slot bed allows access through the frame to clamp such an enclosure in place. The images below show this procedure. It must be noted that cables are routed down the frame for the no-volt release circuitry in the control panel. Therefore care must be taken when using this approach.
CNC Router Dust Shoe
Fixed Position Dust Shoe
We have been working with a number of different designs and have converged on this model for our fixed-position dust shoe. The main aims when integrating this system were as follows.
Easily removable without any tools. Magnetically fixed in place was the best solution
Easy access to the collet for a tool change with the main dust shoe fixture in place
Management of the duct/extraction pipe at all times
Adjustable height of the shoe level relative to the workpiece
Efficient removal of swarf from the cutting zone
Easy replacement of the brush strip itself
Dust Shoe Performance
The shoe can be adapted to suit most sized duct/extraction systems. The advantage of a system fixed to the gantry as opposed to the spindle itself is that the brushes are always preventing the swarf from moving away from the cutting zone. The radial flow from the cutter and collet is the main contribution to the swarf being forced over the machine bed. the fixed shoe with constant brush height prevents this from occurring.
4th-Axis Systems
We can provide a 4th axis system for all our CNC routers. The 4th axis system shown here is a stepper motor-driven knife mounted instead of the spindle. The knife is driven and can be controlled such that the knife remains tangential to the cutting path.
We will soon have examples of where a 4th axis system is bolted to the bed of the machine for tuning type operations.
Custom 4th-Axis System
Based on the same principle as the 4th-axis knife system we designed a module to hold a fixture as specified by the customer.
