-
14-08-2011 #1
I'm running a job machining badges on my Emach cnc router and am breaking cutters frequently. Wasn't too bad on the original stock that I had -duraluminium I think -but now I'm using 5251H22 cutter life is dire.
Details are:
Cutting tool speed 21000 rpm
Cutter travel speed .25m/ min
Cutter pas depth .3mm
Tool = 2mm single flute carbide cutter from ITC Ltd
Coolant = ITC coolant via mister
I can't increase the cutter size due to the small radius on some of the letters. Am I better using a softer grade of aluminium or will I then get chip clogging?
Any thoughts where I'm going wrong? It's getting a bit pricey at £20+ per cutter
-
Find a cheaper cutter :naughty:
You want about 250-350 ft/min for aluminium. 432 ft/min is pushing it.
I suspect you have clag building up on the tool edge, some alloys are worse than others. Get your magnifying glass out, does the finish become progressively icky before the tool break?
-
15-08-2011 #3John S -
-
-
15-08-2011 #5
Personally I'd go for a Vee cutter, far stronger, only the very tip is small
John S -
-
15-08-2011 #6
Im with john on that one! but if you manage break a vee cutter then you doing something wrong.
-
15-08-2011 #7
-
15-08-2011 #8
To be honest I have found that most of these carbide engraving cutter take the tip off far to easily, makes sense when you think about it as carbide is a sintered powder and has no grain as such.
Recently I have been grinding my own up from 6mm HSS drill blanks, don't last as long as carbide but once you have the D shape they cam be resharpened in about 2 minutes. Plus bit is you don't scrap a job because it takes the tip off 1 hour into a 3 hour job.
8" x 3/4" all done with HSS tool.John S -
-
15-08-2011 #9
Think I've seen that photo before somewhere ...
I'll have to try the drill regrinding suggestion. I've kept any drills I have snapped (thankfully few) to regrind into spot drills. They seem ideal for that.
Oh just noticed you said drill blanks, not drills. Just a D shape?
-
15-08-2011 #10
or the broken shanks of HSS end mills and slot drills
John S -
Thread Information
Users Browsing this Thread
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Similar Threads
-
V Bit Cutters in Aluminium?
By Washout in forum Tool & Tooling TechnologyReplies: 3Last Post: 06-03-2014, 03:29 PM -
machining aluminium with 1.5kW spindle
By routercnc in forum Spindles & Drive MotorsReplies: 13Last Post: 15-02-2014, 02:55 AM -
aluminium machining
By drumsticksplinter in forum Gantry/Router Machines & BuildingReplies: 8Last Post: 15-03-2013, 12:19 AM -
RFQ: Aluminium frame Machining
By mZeles in forum Projects, Jobs & RequestsReplies: 4Last Post: 27-12-2012, 08:17 PM -
Machining Aluminium
By Steff in forum Metalwork DiscussionReplies: 7Last Post: 14-11-2012, 12:48 PM
Bookmarks