Normally, carbon fiber sheets and carbon fiber tubes couldn't use directly. The full carbon fiber plate needs to be cut into small pieces while the carbon fiber tube needs to be cut at the ideal length to match with other parts like CNC aluminum parts and others.
As we all know carbon fiber sheets and tubes are famous for high strength, as long as you have the right tools it can be any shape and length. You can choose a suitable way to do your carbon fiber project. The main way in the market is to use a CNC machine and Water Jet. These ways are also the most common. Because it is fast and precise. You also can use a saw with a fine-tooth carbide blade. This way is suitable for a small project or the project doesn't need high precision requirements. Below we will introduce the way to cut carbon fiber. Below we will introduce in detail the different methods of cutting carbon fiber.
Cutting carbon fiber with a CNC machine will give you precise cuts, and the ability to make complex shapes when cutting. The cutting process is proceeded by machine control. It is a simple way to quickly and cleanly cut through most carbon fiber tubes and sheets.
When starting to cut, it needs to lay a piece of foam down to protect the work surface from damage. Then Clamp the carbon fiber tube or sheet to make sure the carbon fiber piece cannot slip out of place while you make the cut.
When using a CNC mill or router to cut our carbon fiber sheets, we recommend you use a 1/8" Burr Style Solid Carbide Downcut Bit. The settings you use to cut carbon fiber will depend on the thickness of the material.
If some areas are not easy to reach out using CNC mill or router, maybe water jet is a best method. Water jets can get into tight spaces and offer good control over the surface you are cutting.
For smaller work or DIY projects, you can use a band saw or table saw with a fine-tooth carbide blade. cut the shape and the length that you want. The process is very simple and fast, but it also has limitations such as rough tolerance, could not support complex shapes, etc.
The teeth are the biggest issue with cutting carbon fiber with a saw. Large teeth will chip the carbon fiber, while smaller teeth will clog with resin and wear out faster. no teeth at all are your best option.
No matter what method to cut the carbon fiber parts, you finally get is sharp edge parts. You need to use sandpaper to smooth out cuts.
When you’re done, examine the carbon fiber closely to look for any uneven parts and use the block to smooth them out.
When you cut carbon fiber, please don't forget to wear a mask and safety goggles to avoid carbon fiber dust. Although carbon fiber is nontoxic, it will irritate your eyes and lungs. Carbon fiber usually has burrs on the edges and wearing gloves is a good way to avoid scratching your hand. You may also be able to set up a vacuum hose near your workbench to suck up dust as you cut the carbon fiber.
