Cutting Dry Carbon Fabric Patterns on a CNC

[composites]

I am planning to cut some carbon fabric patterns on my cnc mill using a tangential knife setup. I have been trying to figure out a way to cut the dry fabric without the edges fraying. I know that most cnc patterns and kitting is done with prepreg.

I think that the trick to doing this would be to apply a thin coat of adhesive or silicone rubber or something else and let dry, then cut?

Does anybody have any suggestions for cutting the dry carbon without the fraying around the edges? Masking tape won’t work for this application.

I will be using the standard 3k weave carbon and laying up in a closed mold and heat cure.

Thanks!
Matt

[Worldwealth]

I am planning to cut some carbon fabric patterns on my cnc mill using a tangential knife setup. I have been trying to figure out a way to cut the dry fabric without the edges fraying. I know that most cnc patterns and kitting is done with prepreg.

I think that the trick to doing this would be to apply a thin coat of adhesive or silicone rubber or something else and let dry, then cut?

Does anybody have any suggestions for cutting the dry carbon without the fraying around the edges? Masking tape won’t work for this application.

I will be using the standard 3k weave carbon and laying up in a closed mold and heat cure.

Thanks!
Matt

Matt…if your not pplanning on using Prepregs…perhaps a rotory blade sized to match your minimum radisus cuts will be instore for your CNC plotter.
Cheers,Vinny

[riff42]

I am planning to cut some carbon fabric patterns on my cnc mill using atangential knife setup.

I don’t know what a tangential knife is, however, if the blade is new and sharp, the fabric should cut without fraying. Possibly add a layer of paper under the fabric, so when moving each piece, it will stay on the paper, as a tray.

However, using a CNC Mill, vs a CNC fabric cutter, might be an issue. But i don’t know much about trying to cut something on a mill!

Good Luck!

[riff42]

Matt…if your not pplanning on using Prepregs…perhaps a rotory blade sized to match your minimum radisus cuts will be instore for your CNC plotter.
Cheers,Vinny

I do second the Rotory blade.
Maybe add a nice DPSS or Fiber-laser as a cutter!! They are getting good power outputs lately for welding and marking. Might be some good ones out there for cutting!

[busted_blade]

repositionable spray adhesive might be worth a try. i use it when cutting dry fabric patterns with scissors and it is an absolute blessing to eliminate dry fabric from falling apart

[hojo]

you can wet out the carbon on a piece of plastic and freeze it, then cut it and stick it to the mold, the fabric wont fray.