How to cut carbon fiber composite plates?

How to cut carbon fiber composite plates? 

Due to the high strength of the carbon fiber composite, the carbon fiber composite plate is sometimes difficult to cut. Usually, using a rotary tool is a simple way to cut most pipes and flat pieces quickly and cleanly; a saw blade is a better choice if the straightness requirement is not high.

After cutting the carbon fiber composite plate, it is often necessary to smooth the carbon fiber to ensure success. This paper presents the cutting process of carbon fiber composite plate in the form of cartoon.

1. Preparation before cutting

1.1 clamp the carbon fiber sheet onto the workbench

If you have a drop-down table, it works well because you can use a built-in ventilation system to absorb the carbon fiber dust as it builds up. If there is no drop table, cut carbon fiber on a flat surface. Use a clamp or vise to hold the carbon fiber in place.

1.2 cover the cutting area with tape

Most of the carbon fiber sheets are black, making it difficult for ordinary pencil marks to be displayed on the carbon fiber. First, measure the planned cut with a ruler, then place several strips of tape to form a border around the area to be cut. This is particularly useful for circular surfaces such as carbon fibre tubes; marking tools such as silver permanent markers can also be used with greater precision when combined with tape.

1.3 wear dust protection

Wear a dust mask and goggles to avoid carbon fiber dust. Although carbon fiber dust is non-toxic, it can irritate the eyes and lungs, so always wear good protective equipment and ventilate the area as much as possible to remove dust before cutting the carbon fiber. A vacuum hose can also be placed near the workbench to suck up dust while cutting the carbon fiber.

1.4 wear gloves to prevent cuts

2. Use a rotary tool to cut

2.1 get ready to cut

Choose a diamond or tungsten carbide cutter, or use a variety of common rotary tools to cut carbon fibers, including Dremel, 

pneumatic rotary, router planer or angle grinder. However, whatever you choose, make sure that the grinding wheel or grinding wheel listed is abrasive or gravel type. Smooth wheels and drums are less likely to get stuck or overheat than toothed wheels and drums. Any wheel or drum designed to cut metal can be used.

2.2 CUTTING CARBON FIBER

When the carbon fiber sheet is placed on the cutting surface, the rotary wheel is placed on it; when cutting, the cutting can be done directly along the guide line traced on the carbon. Keep the saw on the side closest to the line of the part to be discarded. As the rotary tool passes completely through the carbon fiber, continue to move it along the part until the cutting is complete.

2.3 Speed Control

If the blade begins to overheat, the speed should be reduced. This is often the case when the rotary tool has difficulty passing through the hard fibers, especially when using conventional metal wheels. Some signs of overheating are shrill screams, loss of cutting power, burning smells or smoke. If the tool is suspected of overheating, remove it from the carbon fiber and turn it off until it cools.

2.4 sand the cut

Smooth the cut with 180-mesh sandpaper, briefly wipe the edge down to smooth the cut, remove any excess material around the guide line, and remove any sharp edges. When you’re done, double-check the carbon fiber to see if there are any irregularities and smooth them out.

3. Use The saw blade tool to cut

3.1 get ready to cut

It is best to choose a saw with a tungsten carbide grit blade. Serrations are the biggest problem when cutting carbon fiber with a saw. A blade with a larger tooth breaks the carbon fiber, while a blade with a smaller tooth clogs the resin and wears out faster. The best option is a harder blade with finer teeth or no teeth at all, designed for metal or carbon fiber, which can be used in combination with a curved saw, a saber saw, or even a hand saw with a tungsten carbide grit blade.

3.2 Blade positioning

POSITION THE BLADE 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) . Since the blade causes more breakage than the rotary tool, move the blade slightly away from the line if possible.

3.3 file away excess material

Use a metal file to remove excess material from the edges. When finished, the edges should look smooth and even. sandpaper blocks such as 120 rougher surfaces can be used to remove excess carbon fibers, while 180 finer surfaces can be used to smooth the edges.