posted
I can't find a good source for cutting .125 aluminum, so has anyone ever cut it on a CNC? Any tips (bit type/size, rpm, cut speed, etc.) would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
[ September 17, 2004, 10:48 PM: Message edited by: Tim Whitcher ]
-------------------- Tim Whitcher Adrian, MI Posts: 1546 | From: Adrian, MI | Registered: Mar 1999
| IP: Logged |
They make the best bits I have ever used and they have a Recomended speed and feed Page which comes in very useful. I usally cut alum around 15000 at 1.5 to 1.2 ipm with good success with a 1/4 bit
oops on the speeds remove the decimals. Im so use to IPS. 15 to 12 ips. I think My Alum Might be a little softer then Vics as Sometimes we do Gum Up.
[ September 18, 2004, 05:34 PM: Message edited by: William DeBekker ]
posted
Tim, we use both Onsrud and Belin bits. Both are just fine but we are partial to Belin. It's a judgement call but they seem to cut better and last longer.
Just about all our bits are carbide two flute upcut.
If you use a 1/4" bit you will have to really horse it to break the bit. You can cut 5052 with a 3/16 bit with just a little bit of care. I have cut with an 1/8" just fine, but if you do it, get a real good markup because there is no forgiveness in the setup. You will break 1/8" bits.
5052 aluminum is the magic number but I do not know the technical reason why.
You should be able to get through .125 with one pass.
We cut dry at 18,000 RPM and 10 IPM. We have a 7 horse spindle, so maybe you have to go slower with less horsepower. You can go much faster with bit cooling, but then there is cleanup afterwards.
Get yourself a scrap of 5052. Set up a file with a series of parallel lines far enough apart that the bit is making a full cut on every pass. Set the first line at a low speed, and each line thereafter at an incrementally higher speed.
When you cut, watch the tool action. When you are throwing off nice good size chips and getting a clean cut, that's where you want to be. Generally but not always you will see cutting problems before you get to the point where you break the bit. 1/4 inch bits are forgiving and that is why router people use them as much as they can.
Sometimes for small jobs we buy traffic blanks for the aluminum.
If you have old flat worn out traffic signs they are good practice material.
Hope this helps you. Vic G
-------------------- Victor Georgiou Danville, CA , USA Posts: 1746 | From: Danville, CA , USA | Registered: Dec 1998
| IP: Logged |
Vic is pretty much right on with those parameters. I remember trying to cut 6061 Aluminium and broke every bit we had! It was too hard of an aluminium. 5052 seems to be the right hardness, if its any softer you will get a bad cut out of it. Remember to keep your plunge really slow and just ease it in there. I do prefer to have some coolant on it so you can run it a bit faster.
Happy Routing!
Stevo
-------------------- Stevo Design Illustration Logos Sign Design Clip Art www.stevo-design.com Posts: 1680 | From: Edmonton Ab Canada EH! | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks for the replys! Glad to hear this is possible without misting. I need to cut (5) 2x4 pieces with a 1 1/2 radius edge, and had no clue how I was going to do this.
-------------------- Tim Whitcher Adrian, MI Posts: 1546 | From: Adrian, MI | Registered: Mar 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
I just finihed a large 3-Dimensionl multi-layered piece all cut from 1/4" aluminum. I even hogged out the background for the inlaid letters. I used a 1/4" belin sprial O upcut bit and cut them out in three passes at a feed rate of 100" per minute if memory serves me. Spindle speed was 21,000
On this job since I was cutting a total of three 4'x10 sheets of aluminum, I invested in the Vortex tube and it worked fantastically. We used no lubricants on the bit at all and after a days worth of cutting there were no significant signs of wear on the bit.
-------------------- Bob Stephens Skywatch Signs Zephyrhills, FL
posted
When I worked at a shop with a router, with letters or pushthrough cabinet faces, I had it set up with 1/4" bits then hit it with an 1/8" bit so the inside corners were not to round (less work filing straight, as a designer now I prefer waterjetcutting), I don't remember the feed rate, but on the 1/8" it was sloooooow.
[ September 19, 2004, 12:32 AM: Message edited by: Rick Chavez ]
-------------------- Rick Chavez Hemet, CA Posts: 1538 | From: Hemet,CA U.S.A. | Registered: Jun 2001
| IP: Logged |
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic