Creating the FRC base plate for team 4215. This baseplate was fabricated from 1/4” HDPE and is utilized to mount electronics, stiffen the robot’s frame, and protect electronics during competition.

Stock sizes are generated utilizing the outer perimeter of the CAD model. Work offsets and the zero point of the stock are created.

A toolpath is generated for each feature of the CAD model. In this case only a 2d Contour was needed for the outer profile. I determined the given model’s mounting holes wouldn’t line up in the intended way and chose to discard them from the operations in favor of doing them manually later.

Post processing takes the tool operations and transforms them into a file that the CNC machine can then utilize. The files are transferred to the CNC machine

The HDPE is mounted the working surface of the CNC machine. The proper router bit is placed into the machine and tool offsets are zeroed. Bed zero is then set, in this case it is zeroed to the bottom of the material. X and Y zero is then determined and set.

Small tabs of uncut material are left in order to hold the component in place while it is being cut. Once the cut is finished these tabs need to be cut manually to remove the component from the stock. HDPE is a relatively soft material and a utility knife is enough to cut away the tabs. Now that the component is separated from the stock the tabs need to be trimmed flush. A router table with a pattern routing bit makes quick work of the remaining material.

The edge of freshly cut HDPE can be rather sharp and some frayed remnants may remain from the CNC and flush trimming process. A deburring tool is utilized to clean up and soften all the edges.

Once deburring is complete, the part is washed and scrubbed clean of any and all debris that it picked up during the fabrication process.