Hi Everyone,

Hopefully a few of you have noticed that we've been publishing a number of new video tutorials recently. I've now published the first two (out of three) of a new series which shows the end-to-end process for starting from a CAD design, CNC machining the pattern from epoxy block then sealing and preparing the pattern before taking a prepreg carbon fibre mould off the pattern. In the next video (not done yet) we'll finish off by using the prepreg mould to produce a carbon fibre part.

Essentially, in this series what we're trying to demonstrate is the 'other way' to make composite parts, using technology and high tech materials to replace the more manual traditional methods. This is a topic that comes up every time during our training courses and so hopefully this is a process (and tutorial series) that people will find interesting (and maybe useful). The price of perfectly usable CNC equipment is coming down all the time and the quality and availability of 3D CAD systems (like Fusion360) is moving the baseline of what is achievable at home or in a small workshop or business. Our new products and tutorials aim to support this revolution. Also, in this current climate where people are very focused on the idea that 3D printers are the answer to everything, hopefully we can steer a few people towards the understanding that for most composites processes a CNC router is a far more suitable piece of kit to invest in.

So, this first tutorial in the series we demonstrate how to CNC machine epoxy tooling board and then seal and finish it using epoxy board sealer.


I'd be very happy to discuss any of the topics raised in the videos including how these processes and materials might be used in your projects.

Matt Statham
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Sales

I would absolutely not recommend a x-carve for accurate cnc work, escecialy not for 3d work. The X-carve is the least stiffest cnc router I have seen so far. You might get along with it, as long as you are just doeing 2d and you are not looking for real precision.
Stiffness is a big thing for cnc machines, because of cutting forces and vibrations. As long as you are just 2d-ing you are usually not looking for perfect finish around the part, and a few 1/10 here and there might not be a problem. 3d however is different. In my opinion, you won't get a usable surface with a x-carve. Additionally the x-carve got a very limited z-axis. So just from the dimensions, the x-carve is not suited for 3d moulding.
Even the basic eBay chinese cnc machines will outperform a x-carve in terms of stiffness, accuracy and z-axis travel length. Sadly, in my opinion, there is no real cheap cnc option for 3d mould routing. I would say the cheapest system I can imagine to work is about 3-5k euro. Including tools and a cheap pc for controlling