Size of Tabs in router

[Chris Flint Two Ft Pty Ltd]

I ( thought this would be a simple search but it seems the site search engine is very poor ( maybe they should contract Google to set it up properly), I typed in "size of tabs for router", nothing found, so I typed in "tabs for router", nothing, then " tab for router", nothing, then "tabs" nothing and then "tab" and a bit of post queries and other miscellaneous info was profered, hopeless.

Anyway, I would like some advice as to the best method to use for tabs on 16mm particle board and 16mm plywood smallest part is 30mm by 235mm I normally pitch then 12 mm apart and use a 6mm up spiral cutter and leave a 10mm X 2.5mm tab at 4 points.

The router runs at 18000 and the feed 6000mm per minute I take 3 cuts before full depth is reached and then after all routines are completed I remove tabs.

thanks

chris f

[PBpaul]

Chris f:

 

I'm using mcamX, mill, and this is the first time us mill people have had the benefit of Tabs. I did a couple of simple 2d contours to check it out because I think it will save me a ton of time on some projects involving sheets (We have a router but we run mill) and it worked great. So, I did a couple of 3d contours and it worked great there, too.

 

In mill, there is a box you check just like the one for leadIn/LeadOut. There are parameters for how big each tab is and how much tab you want to leave at the bottom of a contour. I think it has an option to go back and finish them off if you want. I was just using a .75 endmill and so the tabs were .75 by default but I could pick how many on a side and stuff like that.

 

I won't comment on the site's search engine other than to say that you can fuss but would be wise to fuss nicely!

 

PBPaul

[Bob_Looney]

it's a pretty good search engine actually.

yout tabs sound about right from what i remember of my router days. If you get any movement when removing the tabs you might drop down to a smaller tool just for a finish pass and tab removal, this will significantly reduce the side load on the part.

[Chris Flint Two Ft Pty Ltd]

Bob,

would you machine say a 3/8 inch tool to start with and then go to a 1/4 to finish, obviously leaving say 1/16 to final, last question one pass for the 3/8 and 1/4 or multiple depths? board is high density fibreboard ( read chip board).

thanks

chris f