renshape board

[keith mc.]

i am looking for a supplier in the toronto area of canada who can supply me with renshape board,any body know of one? i would like to make some prototypes and check fixtures from it i did a search and found some usefull info on the machining characteristics of this but no mention of suppliers. thanks for the help. p.s is anybody using this that can offer some other useful tips,ie cutters,drilling and reaming, etc.........

[3R!< W3NG3R]

cnb products 416 675 3220 talk to Craig or Vince.

mmf composites is another place.

 

As for machining it, use a vacuum and no coolant. Machines easy. I usually go as fast as the spindle will go (as we don't have very fast spindles) and run about .002" per tooth.

 

Just be careful about edges breaking off. Cutting from the outside in works best for us. Don't be too aggressive drilling where it breaks through for the same reason.

 

HTH

[keith mc.]

thanks for the info. do you use hss or carbide cutters?

[KalCam]

When using a flat endmill the RenShape will have a tendency to tear out at abrupt toolpath direction changes. I recommend using carbide bullmills for flats and problem gone.

[billystein]

+1 to cutting outside in. the scary thing is the price. i use butter board mostly. i can get to 2" not very expensive. then i glue them to thickness.

i have used other material that i dont know the name of. some was blue red and pink. most of it cost more than aluminum. some of it was way more.

[Nils N]

Here's another source for foam, large varity to choose from General Plastics

http://www.generalplastics.com/

[3R!< W3NG3R]

I use carbide, but I am sure HSS would work good too. It is soft. The bull mill suggestion is good and if you need a sharp corner, finish it after.

[cadcam]

If you can find it in your are try Profab 65 another type of ren and about half the cost.

I cut this stuff every week. we do masters for casting with this stuff works just like Ren but like I said much cheaper.

[k turk]

I mill ren often for prototypes and models. It mills quickly with little tool wear, but as mentioned is a bit expensive. As you have probably seen it comes in a variety of densities. We generally use RenShape 440, but even the lower density holds detail pretty well - a bit more work to get a smooth painted surface if that is something you are after. HSS works fine.