Even though you can cut aluminum just fine using a CNC Router, it is not a suitable tool to cut out large aerospace parts such as wing spars. Therefore, in order to succeed in effectively cutting aluminum using a CNC Router, it is crucial to take things slow. Recovery hdd for mac. By “taking things slow” we do not literally mean slowing down the feeds and speeds. Apr 15, 2014 So I know this topic comes up a lot but I'm still confused. My question regards cutting feeds and speeds in 6061 and 7075 aluminum. The majority of our machining is done on a Haas Mini Mill. During roughing i have an rpm of 2400 and a feerate of 11 (guessing its inches per minute). Now that gives me a chip load of 0.0011.
Feeds and speed will vary greatly with the type and the diameter of your tools. See the image below. This is 1.400 thick polypro speeds were from 1000 rpm to 6000 rpm and feeds were from 15 ipm to 75 ipm. Tolerances for this were +/- 0.002.
Feed Rate Calculator. When milling or drilling, or creating a tool path for a CNC machine the feed rate must be determined. Materials have rated surface speeds for a given type of cutter. The harder the material the slower the speed.
Apr 10, 2019 Let’s talk about CNC routing aluminum. We’ve done a handful of aluminum projects on our machine but this was the big kahuna. Six sheets of 1/2 inch thick 6061. This project has been in the.
There are certain parameters that must be considered, before setting up any job for processing if you are to achieve the finish and accuracy required. This blog discusses the importance of choosing the right speeds and feeds for your application, the do’s and don’ts and how to calculate the right parameters.
What do you mean by ‘Feeds and Speeds’
‘Feeds and speeds’ is generally used to refer to ‘feed rate’, ‘slew rate’, ‘plunge rate’ and ‘spindle rpm’.
The feed rate represents how fast the machine will move the router bit though the material when cutting and is critical to get right for leaving a good quality cut edge.
Slew rate is the speed that the machine moves when above the material and is travelling between cuts. This is normally set to as high a level as possible in order to reduce cycle times.
Plunge rate is the speed at which the router bit is driven down into the material when starting a cut and will vary depending on the bit used and the material being processed. Mac os for free download. It is important not to plunge too fast as it is easy to damage the tip of the cutter during this operation.
The Spindle speed in rpm should be set to a value that is appropriate for the tool being used and the material being processed. Feed rate and spindle speed are inter-related. Sometimes it is possible to cut at a faster feed rate by increasing the spindle rpm. Similarly, if you cut at too low a feed rate or with too high a spindle rpm there is a risk of overheating the router bit and potentially burning or melting the workpiece.
How to calculate the right parameters
Feeds and speeds are usually all set in the programming software that is used to create the machine program. There are many resources available to help determine suitable settings for particular material / router bit combinations.
These often provide a good starting point but can usually be further improved through a small amount of trial and error. Most machine controllers allow you to adjust the feed rate while a program is running and by listening to the sound the cutter makes this can be a good way of optimizing the parameters.
You can find our very own CNC cutter chart at www.cncshop.com. This CNC cutting chart shows starting points for depth per pass, feed rate, spindle speed and whether to use lubricant or not for your chosen tool and material.
The Do’s and Don’ts
Do …
Make sure you have the right router bit for the material to be processed
Look up recommended settings when programming for a new type of material of router bit
Check with your machine supplier if you aren’t achieving the expected quality or productivity
Make sure your collet is not worn and the tool is fitted correctly
Start with lower feed and plunge rates if not sure to avoid potential tool breakage or machine damage
Don’t …
Forget that doing some test cuts on a spare piece of material is a good way of checking settings before running your main program
Use worn or damage router bits which can cause overheating and poor cut quality
Continue cutting if you hear an unusual cutting noise. Pause the machine and check the router bit and settings
Cut too deep in a single pass. Sometimes it can be more efficient to use a higher feed rate and two or more passes rather than a single cut at a low feed rate
Cnc Router Feeds And Speeds For Cutting 2.5mm Thick Aluminum Wheels
Author: Kevin Recinos is an Application Specialist for AXYZ, a global manufacturer of CNC router and knife systems. Kevin has covered many areas during his spell at AXYZ to ensure he has gained holistic exposure to both the needs of customers and the functionality of our CNC machines.