Collet Fans: A Clever, Low-Tech Solution for Clearing Chips While CNC Milling

Here's an interesting alternative to an established manufacturing solution. CNC mills use spinning bits to remove material. This material comes off in the form of tiny chips. These chips must be evacuated, to avoid clogging the worksurface and potentially jamming or overheating the bit. The common solution is to use a dust shoe, which encases the cutting area within a bristled perimeter while a vacuum theoretically evacuates the chips. Image: ShopBot Tools Image: AvidCNC However,...