Ideas needed - enclosing cnc router

[AndyL]

Hoping some GJ brainstorming can solve some issues for me...

Have a 24x48" capacity CNC router... Problem is - 1/2hp router running for hours on end - makes wife and neighbours cranky... thinking i need to build an insulated enclosure around it but drawing blanks as to how to make it happen...

Enclosing it has 2 challenges - wire routing for the controls and router power, airflow - still need to move air through to keep the steppers and router itself from cooking... and since it will be enclosed - i need to finalize a shopvac scenario to pull away routed materials so they dont gum up the works...

Shop vac for hours on end turns into the same debate we started with - how the heck do I muffle a shop vac to not drive everyone nuts?

Anyone have some thoughts as to how to move forward?

Thanks in advance!

 

[alan_3301]

Do a search for super-pid on google is is a nice speed controller for routers.
If your router is single speed, then chances are you are running it way too fast anyways. bringing the speed down to 8000rpms or so will bring the noise level way down.

Are you familiar with feed and speed calcs? On my router at 18000 rpms it usually wants atleast 200ipm in wood.

 

[AndyL]

Its an old 50s vintage craftsman - yeah we've added a speed control - 10k seems to be my sweet spot; but it still howls...

I'd love to do one of the rc brushless spindles truth be told but time/money and newbie-ness on the lathe hasn't allowed that to progress much beyond vapourware status... As those would be the true solution...

So for now - the encasing the current system still seems like the best option - also keeps the dust level down - which is good with the paint projects of late happening in here...

 

[alan_3301]

If it is just the router that is too loud, and your cutting noise seems reasonable, then maybe look into the chinese ac spindle/vfd combos. I paid $400 for mine off ebay.
If you are set on an enclosure, then I'd go with a 2x4 box frame, with drywall panels.
Probably hinged on the bottom to allow for easy loading of stock. It might be worthwhile to enclose everything, wires, powersupply, and everything else. Then monitor temperature to see if fans are even necessary. If you run for 2 hours at a time and have a couple hours for a break between, then cooling might not be needed.
If you are running 12 hrs a day though, that is a different story.

got any pics of your cnc posted on here?

 

[AndyL]

Yeah - for a seldom used 'toy' it's most likely not getting a bunch of $ thrown at it (problem of course, is when I have time to play - it's noise level is inappropriate).

I'm almost thinking the other way - doing a plywood box with a layer of foam inside to knock down the noise...

Realized we've got an old filterqueen that's taken up residence in the garage, hell of a lot quieter than the shopvac... But not sure how to baffle that intake to allow air movement and reduce noise output (and how the heck I'm going to make that hose flex and reach through the whole enclosure).

It's the stereotypical JGRO based mdf/skate bearings unit - don't even think I've taken a picture of it; just some of it's output...

 

[Stuart in MN]

Most of them were tossed out years ago, but you could look for an acoustical printer cabinet - they were designed to muffle the noise of the old dot matrix printers. They typically had a plexiglass flip up cover and foam insulation, and looked like this but they came in all different sizes. Edit: just re-read your post and your router is 24" x 48" so chances are you won't find a printer cabinet that big, but you could build something that uses a similar design.

 

[rsanter]

look at the desktop prototyping mills and lathes. they use simple enclosures like the old dot matrix printers did.
even if you make a partly sealed lexan box around it you would be suprised at how much noise it will kill off. openings for air will need to be done as baffels so the soud bounces around and gets killed off. no need for an actual seal to kill sound.
if you want to do a plywood side or back you can either use low density foam or the paper/cardboard 12x12 egg dividers like found when you buy the big package of eggs

hell, even draping tarps around the thing will cut the noise some

bob