mic 6 vs 6061 alum for build plate

[cjdavis618]

They may charge more for the machines, but I know steel is less for me than the melamine HDF sheets. I can find MDF melamine for cabinetry all over, but HDF that the Rostock uses is not anywhere to be found unless I order it in.

As for steel, It doesn't split when I tighten it, it doesn't bow when heated to the temps that we work with and it is not prone to absorbing humidity and swelling. It would cost far more if they used Aluminum for the machine but would weigh less than steel. Regardless, the Mic-6 for a plate is a good addition to the machines. The more I think about the steel version, the more I want to try it. I know it isn't practical to build and sell them, but to have a concept and not try it is not they way development happens.

Imagine that crazy person that said he wanted to make a hot glue gun in to a cnc controlled plastic printer. Man, how crazy was that guy.

[Eaglezsoar]

They may charge more for the machines, but I know steel is less for me than the melamine HDF sheets. I can find MDF melamine for cabinetry all over, but HDF that the Rostock uses is not anywhere to be found unless I order it in.

As for steel, It doesn't split when I tighten it, it doesn't bow when heated to the temps that we work with and it is not prone to absorbing humidity and swelling. It would cost far more if they used Aluminum for the machine but would weigh less than steel. Regardless, the Mic-6 for a plate is a good addition to the machines. The more I think about the steel version, the more I want to try it. I know it isn't practical to build and sell them, but to have a concept and not try it is not they way development happens.

Imagine that crazy person that said he wanted to make a hot glue gun in to a cnc controlled plastic printer. Man, how crazy was that guy.

It could be a great project for you if you have the tools to cut and weld the steel. The uprights would have to have perfect alignment but I still think it would be a great project for anyone with the right tools and the skill to use them which it sounds like you do. If aluminum weren't so costly a complete build from it would be awesome.