Milling Sheet Aluminium

[p1lts]

Thnaks for the advice. I'll try slowing the spindle, but the slowest I can go is 150Hz which is 9000rpm and up the feed to around 350mm/min.

When you oil the cutter, what exactly do you mean. Sorry if its a dumb question.

[Jonathan]

Thnaks for the advice. I'll try slowing the spindle, but the slowest I can go is 150Hz which is 9000rpm

Is that one of the 2.2kW water cooled spindles? If so you can go lower, it'll just be the minimum frequency setting on the VFD that needs changing. Don't expect much power though if you do change it.

When you oil the cutter, what exactly do you mean. Sorry if its a dumb question.

Just means put coolant on it - ideally lots if you're having problems.

You may also want to try a single flute cutter, more room for chips etc.

[Web Goblin]

The sheet might be vibrating as its being cut. Can you fix it down by screwing down a bit of timber along its width above and below the cut area?
Forum time seems to be 1 hour fast. Fixed now?

[Tenson]

Or place a 6mm mdf sheet on top and cut through it.

A single flute cutter will also let you run at higher RPM for the same feedrate.

Oil the cutter I just meant squirt some WD40 on it every minute or so. Even better you could try getting one of those plant watering spray bottles where you pump the top to pressurize it. Fill it with water and 10% water soluble cutting oil (white water oil, coolant fluid etc..).

[p1lts]

9000rpm at 550mm/min twin flute with WD40 is now producing acceptable results. I think my spindle speed was too fast and travel speed was too slow. The lub is probably helping as well.

Thanks for the help.

:-)