[FW] Tracked 4WD Lifter: Aegis

[R9000]

Electronics are almost done, finally received all my HDPE, and got me a jigsaw today. I've read up a bit on cutting HDPE, and apparently it's best to spray it with water as you're cutting, to stop it melting. Does anyone have any other tips or suggestions on cutting 20mm HDPE before I start?

[cnc_machinist_andy]

we cut hdpe on machines using high speed steel cutters and also carbide cutters so we just blitz it, but i reckon that you should go with a coarse blade run slow rather than a fine blade run fast. dont let the blade dwell too long on the cut or it will heat up and blunt too quickly.
as for water, be wary when using electric tools ....


i'm sure others who've manually worked hdpe will chip in also

[R9000]

Yeah, I had a quick go just now at cutting one of the side panels (I have more HDPE than I need thanks to the standard sizes sold) and I didn't really see any sign of melting. I'll have to practice at cutting straighter, but I don't think I need the water here.

[maddox10]

If you use any kind of coolant/cutting oil for HDPE, life will be easier.

It's only annoying if you want to weld it after the cutting. Then you'll have to get rid of any residue. Aceton is one of the better cleaners for this purpose.

[shakesc]

I successfully cut 20mm HDPE with a standard coarse wood cutting blade in my circular saw
Just be wary of HDPE swarf - gets everywhere

[overkill]

If you want nice smooth edges after cutting, use a sharp block plane to get a glassy smooth finish.

[R9000]

After having looked into a name-clash with one of dragonzrmetal's bots, I'm changing this robot's name to Rampart. That had better not be taken by someone too. :P

[R9000]

Hardox parts arrived today from Kcut! Super pleased with the quality, but I do need to order again, since I meant to get a pair of two of the parts, but I don't think I made it clear enough. Also, some filing shall have to be done to remove a couple of the burrs and make the holes a little bigger. I'm gonna try and get the HDPE chassis done soon, but I'm still waiting on T-nuts I ordered about three weeks ago that were just sent. :I Anyway, I'm most impressed with the look of this shovel. It's gonna give me plenty of much-needed protection up-front. :>

Picture 30.jpg

[daveimi]

Looks really good! Are you using an actuator for the arm

[R9000]

I am indeed, that part in the bottom-right is the new mounting bracket for it. Into that will fit the brushless motor and the linac (minus its original gearing and motor), and I'll drill some holes and add some of these new gears in, which are a decent amount bigger. I'm planning on having another plate on top to sandwich them in, but that can just be cut out of the same steel sheet I'll be using for my side armour.

[daveimi]

That's really impressive. Is the actuator going to push directly on the arm itself or through an axle like biohazard?

[R9000]

It's pretty much direct - you can see how it works here, and probably spot the parts:

[daveimi]

Oh wow. Which software n file types did u use to get the bits cut? Did u just email them the stuff etc.

[R9000]

I made the parts in Sketchup, and then converted them to .DXF files with a plugin. If you have Sketchup Pro, you don't have to use a plugin, but you have to pay for pro. I put the files in my Dropbox and emailed links to Kcut, along with some extra screenshots and information on where to fold the bits that needed to be folded, and that's about it.

[shakesc]

thanks, wondering that myself