Dremel tool on carbon fibre
#1
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Dremel tool on carbon fibre
Due to some poor quality control and/or design, my Comptech intake lid rubs on the radiator stay. It seems like I just need to cut a tiny notch on the edge so it will clear and stop vibrating/rubbing.
So my question is this: can I take my Dremel to the edge of this carbon fibre piece? Or is it going to splinter and crack? I'm not removing much material here, but I'd hate to ruin it.
So my question is this: can I take my Dremel to the edge of this carbon fibre piece? Or is it going to splinter and crack? I'm not removing much material here, but I'd hate to ruin it.
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Well I'm not even certain if that part is pure CF or is just fibreglass with CF on top. The bottom is definitely rough and wrinkled, but doesn't have the CF weave on it.
#4
The piece you use should be harder than the carbon to cut it well. In industry, diamond particulates are commonly deposited onto the cutting tool surface as abrasives to make precision cuts on carbon fiber composite structures. I suppose a ceramic such as aluminum oxide could work, but I've never tried it. If it's fiberglass with one layer of carbon, it will be a lot easier than if it's all CF.
The big problem I'd expect is that you might get splintering/splitting of the fibers depending on where in the weave you cut and such. You have the all same issues as cutting woven fiberglass except the carbon itself is a greater challenge to cut than glass.
If you find you won't be cutting the fibers though then go right ahead--you'd just be cutting epoxy or whatever resin they used. If you go too fast, the plastic can muck up and make a mess.
The big problem I'd expect is that you might get splintering/splitting of the fibers depending on where in the weave you cut and such. You have the all same issues as cutting woven fiberglass except the carbon itself is a greater challenge to cut than glass.
If you find you won't be cutting the fibers though then go right ahead--you'd just be cutting epoxy or whatever resin they used. If you go too fast, the plastic can muck up and make a mess.
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Dremel worked fine. I had two of the aluminum oxide cutting bits, which were hard enough to chew through it without splintering or cracking.
Just took it slow and went on low-speed.
Just took it slow and went on low-speed.