CNC cutting Fiberglass cloth

[Sam III]

Does anyone here use a CNC machine to cut fiberglass cloth for boats?

I would like to do that for a boat we are building but am not sure what kind of equipment it takes?

Heaviest cloth we use now is 600 gsm Triax fiberglass and 600 gsm Carbon fiber.

I have a CNC Router and was thinking of locating/building a rotary cutter attachment to cut the material.

Thoughts, hints, experiences?

Thanks in advance.

Sam

[Nick F]

Sorry ne experance to date but this is interesting.

http://nz.youtube.com/watch?v=bHeKgs058Lc
Nick:)

[CTMD]

The video gives a good idea of what is required. I'd be surprised if your router could be tailored to suit. As you can see on the video, the blade has to be rotated to suit the cutting direction, this isn't typically available with CNC routers, but talk to the manufacturer, you never know.

[Fanie]

Hi Sam

You can lasercut fiberglass. The cutting line is black though, since the glass gets burned away there. You will need a bit more laser power than you expect, which is stil relative low... 60 W up could probably cut it. Speed may be slow on the lower watts.

I don't know about the carbon fiber, haven't found out about that though.

Most CNC softwares have the option to compensate for backlash on the axles. If you have a rolling blade that 'drags' behind the X Y position, you should be able to compensate for that.

On the other hand, it won't be a boat smash to add a 4th axle to steer the rolling blade in the direction it is cutting..

[duluthboats]

Maybe these guys can help, they have been cutting fabric with CNC for a long time.
http://www.carlsondesign.com/#Plotter_Cutters

[Fanie]

Hey hey ! Check out the sail software down the page ;)

[Sam III]

Maybe these guys can help, they have been cutting fabric with CNC for a long time.
http://www.carlsondesign.com/#Plotter_Cutters

I emailed Greg last week but have not heard anything back yet.

I would need to add a 4th axis or have an off center rotary blade and then allow for lead in movement and blade offset on my cutting instruction.

IE drop the blade down close to material and move real slow on X Y to align the blade behind the center point of the router axis.

Sounds do able, but I subscribe to the 'Wisdom' vs 'Experience' School.

Experience you learn from your own mistakes. Wisdom you learn from others.:p

Sam