1)--- What feed speed did you run at?
2)--- Also do you have any paper covered foamboard for a little test.
I would like to see how it performs. I find breaking the paper is the hard part.
1) --> Hi, I'm using mm/sec for the feed (with this, I have more "feeling" for the speed...I hate this by beeing mutiplied by 60 )
The speed in "EstleCam" > http://www.estlcam.com/ < was set to 5mm/sec...and we reduced this on the mill to 80%.
I can not tell some real numbers for the revs at the needle...my optical tachometer got an empty battery ...but my estimation is around 5000 RPM (my 6000???)...I will find out and give you that number.
BTW ---> This prog (Estlcam) is very nice...you can have a try for 30 days without any limitation. (The webside is German language - but you can switch inside the prog to English).
The prog is not only generating GCodes ( in some variations)...you can also drive an interface for steppers directly.
2) --> Up until now, I did not make any real tests with "cardboard"...I did some cuts "freehand" (not with the mill), and they were looking not so bad....may be, I can test this with the CNC on Wednesday?!
Could be possible that the thin (0,5mm) needle is not strong enough for longer use...but I can change needle and guide very easy and do some tests with 0,8mm
I have some samples of cardboard (5mm...with 2 layers of white paper)... not knowing where this is comming from (company/maker). I got this from a photo shop..they use it for displaying pictures.
The tests with 6mm Depron and with 5 + 6mm EPP are showing good results too...
Greetings form cold Germany (-5°)...Joachim