CNC Cut Controller Paddles v1: Difference between revisions

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In August of 2023 We first cut fiver Controller Paddles on the CNC Machine. I had been hesitant to set this up because of the difficulty of clamping the work in place. <br/>
In August of 2023 We first cut fiver Controller Paddles on the CNC Machine. I had been hesitant to set this up because of the difficulty of clamping the work in place. <br/>
[[File:CutPaddles001.png|left]]  
[[File:CutPaddles001.png|left]]
I finally worked out a method with a new cutting jig (base) fixture on the CNC bed. I use MDF to create jigs for clamping stock to be cut.I also fashion my own clamps to secure the work. Up until this point I had been using a cut paddle template; marking the outline with a big black sharpie and cutting on the jig saw. This was followed by a labor intensive and time consuming sanding/de-burring process. The results were not very uniform and I sometimes scratched or stained the parts in places.  
I finally worked out a method with a new cutting jig (base) fixture on the CNC bed. I use MDF to create jigs for clamping stock to be cut. I also fashion my own clamps to secure the work. Up until this point I had been using a cut paddle template; marking the outline with a big black sharpie and cutting on the jig saw. This was followed by a labor intensive and time consuming sanding/de-burring process. The results were not very uniform and I sometimes scratched or stained the parts in places.  
<br/>
<p>In February 2024 I cut the first set of HPR Paddles. Initially I assumed that I would need to pre-drill holes to clamp the material throughout in order to keep the stock in place as the paddles are cut through. When I cut my first set of HPR Paddles (which are larger) it proved simpler to clamp the stock down with external clamps&mdash;along the X axis, both front and back&mdash;holding it in place through the end of the job.</p>
[[File:CNC-HPR-Paddle.png]]


This new process produces uniform pieces with minimal cleanup. It is a two phase job. Once I switch the base into place on the CNC, I position and center the Polyethylene sheet and clamp it along the X edges. I run the first job, which pre-drills holes at positions where I placed threaded inserts in the jig. Once this stage is done, I insert M4 round-head bolts through the sheet to secure it in place for cutting the paddles. The next phase cuts the paddles.
With a full 24 x 48 in. piece of stock clamped in place, I cannot position the machine the default left-front X/Y start position. The solution to this problem was to set the X/Y Start position to the center of the stock <em>instead of the default left front edge</em>. Prior to mounting the stock, I snap a chalk line from corner to corner diagonally. The X marks the spot to set the starting X/Y position. This setting (X/Y Zero, is located in the Material settings as shown below.
 
[[File:Choose-X-Y-Zero.png]]
 
The first Controllers built with these new parts were 240067, 68, 69, two fivers and on HPR-I.
 
2024/03/03 Next modification was v1.2 in which we re-oriented the paddles to improve yield.
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Latest revision as of 18:13, 3 March 2024

In August of 2023 We first cut fiver Controller Paddles on the CNC Machine. I had been hesitant to set this up because of the difficulty of clamping the work in place.

CutPaddles001.png

I finally worked out a method with a new cutting jig (base) fixture on the CNC bed. I use MDF to create jigs for clamping stock to be cut. I also fashion my own clamps to secure the work. Up until this point I had been using a cut paddle template; marking the outline with a big black sharpie and cutting on the jig saw. This was followed by a labor intensive and time consuming sanding/de-burring process. The results were not very uniform and I sometimes scratched or stained the parts in places.

In February 2024 I cut the first set of HPR Paddles. Initially I assumed that I would need to pre-drill holes to clamp the material throughout in order to keep the stock in place as the paddles are cut through. When I cut my first set of HPR Paddles (which are larger) it proved simpler to clamp the stock down with external clamps—along the X axis, both front and back—holding it in place through the end of the job.

CNC-HPR-Paddle.png

With a full 24 x 48 in. piece of stock clamped in place, I cannot position the machine the default left-front X/Y start position. The solution to this problem was to set the X/Y Start position to the center of the stock instead of the default left front edge. Prior to mounting the stock, I snap a chalk line from corner to corner diagonally. The X marks the spot to set the starting X/Y position. This setting (X/Y Zero, is located in the Material settings as shown below.

Choose-X-Y-Zero.png

The first Controllers built with these new parts were 240067, 68, 69, two fivers and on HPR-I.

2024/03/03 Next modification was v1.2 in which we re-oriented the paddles to improve yield.

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