Carbide CNC bits cutting life?

[Millatime16]

Hi.

I am cutting furniture out of 12mm MDF using Straight 6mm 2 flute carbide bits.

I usually take 4 passes (3mm each). The bits last on average about 80 mins before sounding 'wrong' and emitting burning smell.


Is this about right? or should they last longer. I have tried various ones from UK and from China, but they are all about the same.


Just wanted to know if this sounded normal, or wildly out.

[Ger21]

If it's burning, then RPM is too high, or feedrate is too low. Either causes excess heat, which dulls tools faster.
I'd make 2 passes at 6mm per pass, too.

[Millatime16]

Thanks Gerry.

But when I touch the blade after it has stopped. Its not even slightly warm. I only smell a slight burning when it has got near the 80 mins use.

The ones from China are about £3 each, so maybe that isn't so bad?

btw, the spiindle is running at 23,000rpm. I was advised by the manufactured of the CNC machine to go that speed for MDF.

[Ger21]

What feedrate are you using? I cut 12 meters/min at 17,000 rpm. 23,000 is likely way too high.

[Millatime16]

I will check tomorrow. The manufacture set it all up. Is it shown in the MACH 3 software?

(The RPM is set on the Kress spindle itself).

[Clive S]

Hi.

I am cutting furniture out of 12mm MDF using Straight 6mm 2 flute carbide bits.

I usually take 4 passes (3mm each). The bits last on average about 80 mins before sounding 'wrong' and emitting burning smell.


Is this about right? or should they last longer. I have tried various ones from UK and from China, but they are all about the same.


Just wanted to know if this sounded normal, or wildly out.

What is the power of your spindle and what feeds and speed are you using. I have been cutting 9mm mdf with a 3mm alibond on top and using a single flute 4mm carbide with 6.5mm doc and about 3.5 mtr/min without any problems spindle speed 2200rpm 2.2 kW I think we did about 15 8x4 sheet with many profiles within in one day

Edit these are the bits :- https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4mm-SOLID-CARBIDE-SINGLE-FLUTED-ROUTER-MILLING-TOOL-EUROPA-TOOL-1353030400-2/271852222511?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.S EED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D52976%26meid%3D870e1d28fb7146 7bbc7abc2036a2b2f4%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3 D15%26mehot%3Dag%26sd%3D312182476751%26itm%3D27185 2222511&_trksid=p2481888.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3A7ec81449-87fc-11e8-ac20-74dbd1809ace%7Cparentrq%3A9cbbe28c1640aa66d7d509c1 fffc1e30%7Ciid%3A1

[Millatime16]

Its a Kress 1050.

Where do I find the feed rate etc? I only know the basics of MACH 3 so far. (Its an A1 machine).

[pippin88]

Spiral bits are generally better for CNC use, as they evacuate the chip (upcut bits) and surface edge finish can be superior.