I programmed it to run the same .012 per pass as I use on stainless as a starting point. I did not take into account the starting diameter of the stock. Only the first pass around the part at .375 is cutting that much. The part is not round so I am only cutting that much on the x+, x- side the y+,y- is much more reasonable. The first lap around the part I realized what I had forgotten but it was cutting it just fine and as I said I just let it go. This is an outside contour op, I'm sure the end mill would have not handled it had it been a full width slot.
You can check my math, I may be missing something.
Finished part size is .900 wide. Starting stock is 1.4 (ish) I programmed it to take four passes. The first pass should be at .948. 1.4-.948=.452/2=.226 per side on the first pass. I would not have intentionally programmed it to cut even .100
So I guess i was off .010.
I spent months worrying over the purchase of this mill. Mainly with the same concerns as the O.P. Since I rarely cut Aluminum I was very concerned about the capabilities of the Tormach on stainless.
Almost all the parts I cut are proprietary so I can't post videos of the actual parts. Once I am caught up a little I think I will make a few vid's showing the increase in performance since adopting the concepts described in the article I linked in my first post. I'm glad I did not run it at the recommended 22.5 ipm, I know how that would have turned out.  |