Cutting Vulcanized Rubber

[andyb]

Has anyone tried to cut vulcanized rubber on their machine? I have a customer that is asking me to cut some 4'x8'x3/4" sheets. They tried to cut it with a panel saw and it was burning it. The smell lingers and is not a pleasant smell.

Andy B.

[Brady Watson]

You'll want to avoid using any type of rotary cutter. You want to use some type of drag knife. I don't know off the top of my head what max cut depth is on the ones currently available, but that would be the way to go. If none of them cut a full 3/4, it may be possible to scribe as deep as you can with the knife, then finish out the cuts by hand - not ideal, but it may be the only choice unless you want to make your own knife that can go deep enough. Keep in mind, the higher the durometer, the tougher it is going to be to get through.

Maybe one of the knife guys can chime in and offer their perspective.

-B

[jerry_stanek]

I cut some horse mats on mine. I used an up cut bit and took multiple cuts.

[steve_g]

I used to pocket Hockey pucks to hold circuitry for a military application... That density of rubber machines very nice.

SG

[dana_swift]

I have not tried rubber, but something that is worth a try, put it in the deep freeze so it gets really hard. Then put it on the table and try cutting it then. Dont give it time to thaw out tho! The up spiral bit sound like the way to go, but my experience is ZERO. Just how I would try doing it..

I will be curious to know if this method works..

D

[andyb]

Thanks for the info.

Brady, the customer is cutting it with a razor knife right now. He is trying to get away from that.

Jerry, this material is used in barns also but that is not the use from this application. I may try it.

Dana, that would be interesting but the material is in 48"x96" sheets. I would need an industrial freezer.

Andy B.

[cnc_works]

I did try to cut some rubber for gasketing purposes. Tried sandwiching it between two pieces of ply, tried gluing it to ply, and, yes, I did try freezing it. I was not successful with any of these methods using a rotary bit. Ended up cutting templates and slicing it, which worked, but wasn't efficient enough.

[gerryv]

Or, you could take Dana's advise and just move to Michigan or Ontario this week and set it outside overnight!

[andyb]

Gerald,
Let me thanks about that.... NO. It's 49 degrees here in NE Georgia right now. That is cold enough for me thanks you. Spent a winter in Chicago in 1979 on the Great Lakes Navy base. That was enough northern winter for me.

Andy B.

[Steve M]

Water jet.