I am setting up air assist in my shapoko 5 pro with the process that is outlined in their youtube video.
https://youtu.be/Al9HW-aXQeI?si=KmQ7DgUdqqAfku8I
I also want to add some sort of coolant/lubricant to help with my aluminum cutting ablities but cant find any guidance. I know the air block has an input for a liquid because in the video he says somthing about alcohol being used with a different machine. The block is found here OriGlam Mist Coolant Lubrication Spray System for Metal Cutting Engraving Cooling Sprayer Machine for Air Pipe CNC Lathe Milling Drill - Amazon.com . Any guidance would be very much appreciated.
It’s pretty straight forward. Mount the air block on the side of the motor mount, or Z axis assembly so it moves with the Z axis. route the liquid siphon line to the location of your coolant. You can use any container for the coolant, the bottle it comes in, or a smaller container. Since it’s a mist you will not use a lot so it will last quite a long time. The largest job I’ve done maybe used a 1/4 cup. I would recommend a covered container with a small enough hole to just pass the siphon line. Then just make sure the filter is at the bottom of the container.
Route & connect the air line to the air input.
Make sure both air & coolant lines are free to move the entire travel of the machine.
I ran my air line through the cable track. My coolant line wasn’t quite long enough so I have a small shelf up high in the enclosure, and a hook on top hold the line up so it’s free to move.
Before you hit Start, turn on the air. You can run just air or a coolant mix. For the coolant mix slowly open the coolant valve until you can see the coolant mist. I then turn it back down so I can’t see it. I have to look with a black surface behind the nozzle or hold a piece of paper in the stream so I can see it getting wet. If it’s above the part you can also see the coolant beading up on the surface.
Alcohol / water mix is just a coolant. I’ve had better luck with a lubricant such as aluminum Tap Magic or Kool Mist. There are many other aluminum coolants available.
One modification I did to the coolant system is the orifice on the spray nozzle. It was too big, so the coolant would puddle in the nozzle and sputter. So I made a smaller nozzle that fits over the existing nozzle & used a 0.030" - 0.040" (0.75 - 1.0 mm) hole.
Thanks for the input! Do you think i should mount the liquid tank to an axis to have it moving with the spindle or do you think that i should get a longer hose for the liquid input? the one that came with the block isn’t even long enough to get from the block to the side of the machine through the cable tracks, let alone all the way down both cable tracks to somewhere where it can be stationary?
It’s really inexpensive 1/8” - 3/16” line. I would just buy a 10’ length and call it a day. If you mount the reservoir up high the liquid will siphon once the line is full.
Just finished mounting this same set up on my 5 Pro tonight. I used the holes on the side of the 65mm spindle mount for mounting the air block. I did have to drill the holes in the air block out to 15/64 to get the spacing on the spindle mount to be correct. I also shortened up the coolant nozzle for a better fit.
How did you shorten it?? Its WAAAY to long as is
The blue and orange knuckles are meant to come apart. If you use two pairs of plyers, you can gently grip on either side of a joint try to bend it into a horseshoe, the joint will leverage upon itself and pop apart. Then, you can snap the orange end section back on.
Before you take links out, take off the brass tip and not the difference in length of the two hoses. The fluid hose runs down the inside of the air hose. The air hose is cut to fit to the top of the last knuckle and the fluid hose is longer to accommodate the fit of the brass diffuser. You will have to trim the hoses to the new length you choose. Just note, when you undo the orange nut on the bottom of the air block, the small fluid hose stays attached up inside the block and the air hose slides into the blue flex line.
Note that there are specialty pliers to assist in dis-assembly/assembly:
Ok awesome thanks. I went to shorten mine but saw the hoseinside and got concerned. When using air assist with or without coolant do you use dust collection or no? If you do let me know how and if not how do you deal with all the chips?
I actually haven’t cut any aluminum with it yet, have only had the machine for about a month and just getting things set up to give it a go.
Here is how I set up the air regulator. Decided to put an auxiliary air line right in the bench so I could have it available no matter where the table is sitting in the shop.
I am also going to install an inline ball valve just above the air block so it is handy to turn on and off as required. Just waiting for it to arrive in he next day or two.
All good advise here. I just want to add that mist helps a lot, but you will have issues with the MDF and moisture. So you may have to do something like put a piece of plastic under the material and above the slats to keep moisture at bay.