Has anyone here used a Cricut machine to cut carbon fiber? I have access to that and a ShopBot, but I am trying to determine whether the ShopBot, which has much more expensive cutting tools, is my only option. 

Additionally, does anyone happen to have STL files for a Diatone Taycan MX-C 3.0 upper and lower arm by chance? I found a lower on STL finder, but not an upper. I might be able to edit the lower arm STL to work, but I'd really rather just find one someone already made, you know?

I don't see how you are going to cut any type of carbon fibre with a Cricut machine. My daughter has an entry level Cricut machine which definitely won't cut carbon fibre but even looking at the cutting tools available for the top end Cricut machines I don't see any that would be suitable for cutting carbon fibre. Putting that aside, the carbon fibre we use for frames is at least 4-5mm thick and none of the Cricut machines can cut anything more than about 2.5mm thick. So, I think trying to use a Cricut machine for carbon fibre is a non-starter.

CNC machines are your only real option, so that would leave you having to use the ShopBot.

Be aware that cutting carbon fibre can be frustrating if you don't have the experience with cutting that material, and you need some good high quality milling bits otherwise they will end up going blunt or just snap in no time.

You would probably also be advised to have a read of the following thread before you dive into CNC milling your own frames so you know what to expect...

https://intofpv.com/t-adventures-in-cnc-milling

The carbon fiber for the Taycans is 2.5mm. I read online that people were able to cut that thickness with Cricut. I'd prefer the ShopBot, but those diamond cutters are EXPENSIVE and I figured I'd check my options.

I have a CNC router and have never dared to cut carbon fibre in an open platform CNC router.

A few reasons for this:

- Carbon fibre is brutal on conventional milling bits and you are going to break several due to the high spindle speed and low feed rate required
- Carbon fibre dust is harmful and its advisable to cut it inside a water bath which brings its own issues to CNC routers due to the limited Z height
- Cost of correct grade of carbon fibre sheets is fairly expensive to source in my part of the world

The one carbon frame I have cut was via Armatan Productions (https://armattanproductions.com/) and they made a quality products shipped to my door that was cheaper then me sourcing the carbon fibre sheet and loosing more hair and money cutting it myself.

@the.ronin has a sticky on this sharing his tops and experiences designing/producing his own frames using a professional CNC service and might be worth a read: https://intofpv.com/t-so-you-wanna-desig...one-frames

Yeah, I've got a bath set up for under water cutting, and will double the risk management by not allowing students into the room until well after the CNC is done. Mostly, I just want to try this at this point. I actually found the frame pieces on Diatone's website for $12, it would not be worth the effort and set up for that cost.

Unless you also like to spend your spare time giving yourself paper cuts and pouring lemon juice on it, I'd spend your resources on finding a good shop to cut the CF for you. The go-to guy is CNC Madness in Canada.