Aluminum/Polycarb Plates (CAM)

The first step in machining Aluminum/Polycarbonate plates on the CNC is to create a CAM profile. The CAM serves as a set of instructions for the CNC to follow in order to achieve the desired part. Follow the instructions and images below to learn how to CAM these plates. Note: Inventor CAM must be installed in order to create CAM profiles.

Create a new setup

1. Remove additional stock

2. Set origin and axes according to our CNC

3. Z-axis: vertical and positive is up

4. Y-axis: perpendicular to 3D printer table, towards Shinta’s desk is positive X

5. X-axis: parallel to 3D printer table, towards the bandsaw is positive Y

Example Setup

Add Operations

1. Use MVRT template for aluminum or polycarb and select appropriate size and operation

Drill: it should automatically select all holes of the respective size, click Ok

Adaptive: Select individual pockets of the part(s) and after Ok is clicked, it will calculate the path and display it.

Contour: select outer perimeter of the part(s) and after Ok is clicked, it will calculate the path and display it

If you are doing a contour on aluminum, check Multiple Depths under the Passes tab and change the Maximum Roughing Stepdown to .04" for 6 mm (or 0.25 in) endmills, and 0.02 for 4 mm (or 0.125 in) endmills.