The Heavy Machinery Division

Our high school has many heavy machines that our team often uses. While we may use our vertical and horizontal bandsaws to cut wood for prototypes, a Tormach PCNC 1100 mill is used to make custom parts out of alluminum. Thus far we used the mill to cut aluminum rails for our chassis, utilizing the high speed bit to its fullest potential. Rotating at over 2000 RPMs, the bit of the machine becomes a high precision spinning drill capable of boring holes and slowly shaving off parts of metal, flinging metal shrapnel and lubricant in all directions. In order to use this, we first use Autodesk Inventor, a CAD software that allows us to build our robot in a virtual 3D space. We are able to set dimensions of our parts in Autodesk which would then be put into mill via the Tormach Software. The Tormach is typically manned by a three person team to optimize efficiency and safety. While one person controls lubricant flow and direction, another monitors the metal flakes and uses compressed air to blow off any in the way of the bit. The third person checks to make sure that the path of the bit is the correct one and stops the machine in case of any problems. Beyond using a Tormach, we have also used a CaMaster Stinger 2. This machine, while similar to the Tormach, is a router built to cut sheets of metal. The Stinger only requires a two person team due to its vacuum guard, a tube and brush surrounding the bit with the purpose of sucking up any metal scraps, and a misting lubricator. We have used the router to cut out a belly pan and multiple gussets. We assembled these parts used quarter inch rivets, strengthening the connections between them. We plan on using these machines for future parts and to expand our skills in using these heavy machines.

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