thin aluminum with core

[sgarver]

Will the shop bot cut out patterns of .040 aluminum with a plastic core and .040 aluminum on the back side. 1/4 thick. I would like to cut out some patterns with this material. I have been cutting them out with a 69.00 router and a cheap table router base, but wonder if shopbot can do it without damage.
I can cut on band saw with a wood blade and it doesn't damage the blade even have 100 patterns have been cut. but the I want to quicken my process.
also what happens when you cut thru on a pattern like a circle. and you want to keep the inter part, how do you keep from the bit tearing it up?
thanks for looking
Steve

[jerry_stanek]

That like is called Diebond or Komalu and Yes it cut like butter

[sgarver]

its called nudu polymetal
will the plastic inter core melt or will it be just like my rotor?
what happens to the center of the circle when its cut out won't the blade tear it up as soon as its cut loose?
all i want to do is cut out patterns with this material.
is the shopbot the right tool or could you suggest something different.
I will be cutting lots of patterns.
thanks
Steve

[jerry_stanek]

How big circles are you cutting. You should be able to cut this fine their web page says it can be routed. It still looks the same as diebond and that routes really easy. If the center of your circles are small you could use Brady's method of using spray adhesive on a sheet of plastic core.

[sneakers]

I cut polymetal very often for a sign shop that I do work for. It cuts really well and the shopbot cuts cleaner than a waterjet that someone locally uses at times.

Gary

[sgarver]

The circles are about the size of a dinner plate, but I am afraid that once they are cut thru they will flop around and damage the edges.
would i be able to cut a 4x4 sheet of dinner sized plate at a time on the shopbot or is there another process that may work better? I will be cutting lots of these out. right now i use a saw and cut a 4x8 sheet in 4 pcs 2x4 so i can handle them then cut a rough outline on a band saw then take to a small table router and double side tape my pattern to the top, route, then i have to sand the edges down to get rid of the burrs. I am trying to find a way to do this with less steps and maybe make it easier.
thanks for your help.
Steve

[ssflyer]

While I haven't cut this material, I will often do my cutout passes with a downcut bit, leaving ~ 0.002" skin left. The downcut bit keeps the material down, and the very thin leftover skin keeps it in place.

I'm probably a little anal about cutting into my spoil-board, and this method works well in most materials, without using tabs.

[knight_toolworks]

I am sure it is as close to dibond as anything. 12" may nor may not keep in place with a upcut but using a straight bit will take care of it. I have cut very small parts with a 1/16" straight cut bit and no loss. but for you size a 1/8" or 1/4" straight bit will do well in a single pass. I use a climb cut to keep the shavings on the scrap. the shavings will stick to the scrap and and keep things in place.

[sneakers]

I should have mentioned in my last post but when cutting small pieces from polymetal I leave tabs .0625 thick and the pieces don't move, then the tabs can be cut cleanly with a utility knife.

Hope this helps
Gary

[knight_toolworks]

no need for tabs if you use a straight bit. I have cut parts as small as say 1/2" without them moving.

[sgarver]

how close can the patterns be together on a sheet of material..
or how small can the bit be, :