Great tips! I'd like to mention that if you don't want to have a loud compressor running, pick up a small aquarium pump! Winston gave me that tip a couple years ago! I run a small aquarium pump on my Nomad3 and it makes a huge difference in cut quality and significantly reduces clogged contour cuts. AND...it's VERY quiet. It's definitely not as powerful at blowing away chips as a standard compressor...but if you can direct the blast nozzle close enough to your cut...it works great!
Another option is a high powered DC squirrel cage fan into a funnel (machine one to suit) to some LocLine. Delta makes some nice beefy fans that are PWM controllable so you can ramp them up and down needed as required. They don't heat up like aquarium pumps can and are a constant flow instead of the pulse you tend to get from pond pumps. You can mount the fan on the spindle so you only have a short line to direct it to the cutter. At full speed they can be a bit loud but unlikely to be an issue next to a 24k spindle or router.
If you are into apartment machining like me with a small compressor you may want to install a pulse timer and a solenoid to save air. I get mine to fire once every 5 to 7 seconds with a 0.1 second blast.
Good info! I bought the parts you listed in your video and am setting this up on my home made pin router. I have a cheap 6 gal Porter Cable pancake compressor that is LOUD so I'm running it through an on/off timer that drives a compressed air solenoid. This creates a 1/2 sec blast every two seconds to preserve air. I fill up the air compressor and turn it off then start cutting.
@@JamesKing-fg3wn I struggled with that too... The links are in the "notes" tab on the project page (like you said, the "download" button just downloads an empty file)... But I'm re-posting here: --------------------- Download the Appropriate block for your Carbide 3D Machine. 3D Print or Machine and Tap the block. Install Air Assist per the instructions and parts list in the video. Enjoy cutting metal with greater ease and reliability. Post your install here as well as on Instagram and tag us! Links and Required Hardware for Install at Z-Axis: Z+ (stock Z-Axis) Fusion 360 File direct link: a360.co/3a0yWyx Hardware: 2x - M5x25mm / 2x - M6x12mm HDZ - 2x Fusion 360 File direct link: a360.co/3l5fLFO Hardware: M5x25mm / 2x - M6x12mm HDM Fusion 360 File direct link: a360.co/3L4Pged Hardware: 1x - M5/35mm
Adding a valve/solenoid and controlling the air supply from gcode saves you a lot of hassle too. I've added a diy fogbuster with a container under pressure (1-2 bar).
Bummer that the hole spacing on the side of the 65mm clamp of the S5P is ~1mm too narrow to mount the air block without an adaptor. What's the purpose of those two holes if not this? And working link(s) to the adaptor blocks seems to be missing again/still?
Thanks for the video! Do you think a 1/2 HP, 1 gallon compressor like CAT-1P1060S or Makita MAC100Q will be enough for this on Shapeoko 4? I've read that if a compressor is too small it might overheat on longer jobs, but so far I have zero experience with cnc or air compressors so very hard for me to judge. I'm looking at cutting jobs that need to remove about 4 cubic inches of aluminum from an inch deep pocket.
If you're trying to add this to a Shapeoko 3 with the Z+ upgrade, the linked install block does not fit. There must be a different hole arrangement on the Shapeoko 4/Pro Z+ and the Z+ upgrade for the Shapeoko 3. Fortunately, it's easy to modify the provided F3D file for the Z+ and adjust to fit. FYI before you print a part that doesn't fit. 😇
Hey Jared, You are welcome to download the files and use them as the basis for a new design. If you download the original files, designing one for your HDZ should be reasonably straightforward. You could mill one from wood, plastic or metal on your Shapeoko. (no 3D printing required). Remember, with Shapeoko, you own the means of production!
Hi Casey. Generally Air Assist is necessary for metal projects. We just put out a new video and we do touch on that exact topic: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Yo33kOJfw70.htmlsi=KeY4AaSS9KnvAttZ
There are services which specialize in 3D printing parts for people. There are also plenty of people on FIVER or similar services that can print a part for you at very little cost.
@@carbide3d Great thank you! Finally have the right file as the one I had made was the incorrect configuration :-( Thanks for the follow up. Love your products !!!
It was included as standard equipment with your machine. Perhaps it's still rolling around your workshop? We also offer it for 3D printing in our Carbide 3D Print Library: carbide3d.com/3d-print
