Styrene build up on bit cutting Ultraboard

[John Murray]

We are having a problem with material build up on our uncut bit. We are routing UltraBoard. We followed Ultra's routing guide for RPM and Feed rate. Any recommendations.

[Mayo]

I haven't cut Ultraboard however any time I had EPS foam or XPS foam build up on the bit it was from the bit at RPMs that were too high or
cut speed was too slow.

Sometimes if your cut speed is good on straight cuts, it won't be fast enough when ramping occurs, (curves or direction changes) so you have to find that happy medium.

You can usually remove the build up with a quick soaking in acetone or some of the orange oil based solvents.

[Xray]

Slow RPM's, fast as possible feed + sharp tool are about the only ways I know of to minimize the friction and consequent heat buildup which causes issues like this.

[donek]

Not really trying to peddle my own wares, but according to the web site, it can be die cut. It sounds like a prime candidate for cutting with a knife. Go to www.donektools.com.