Anyone got any X1 recommended feedrates...

[digits]

Hi, I'm sure this must be a FAQ, but I have searched, and I couldn't find what I was after...

I have been doing some trial CNC runs on some pine with a view to doing them for real in some aluminium (6082T6) next weekend.

The wood has cut pretty well, but occasionally the mill binds after a plunge and fails to cut a slot properly. The computer has no way of knowing that X and Z are now off, and so bunders on, making a real mess

So I guess I'm pushing the poor mill too hard. What are sensible spindle speeds and plunge/feed rates for an X1 cutting wood, aluminium or steel, and what's the largest mill size that's useable? The manual says 10mm, but could I get better cut-rates using a smaller mill with larger cut-depth and increased step-over?

Cheers.

[barney9014]

For aluminum this is what I feel ok with:

End Mill: .25 carbide, 4 flute
Depth of Cut: .02
Speed of Cut: 10 to 12 ipm (Others have reported 16 ipm)
Plunge: 5 ipm
Spindle speed: wide open
Coolant: None

I made some gear box side plates yesterday including drilling, pocket cutting and perimeter cutting. They took about 45 minutes each under CNC. Still much faster than manual. I should be using coolant. From doing some reading the 1/8" mills will require you to slow down from this, plus require a higher spindle speed. I broke an 1/8" mill in a cut the other day that a 1/4" walked right on through. The spindle speed was to low even at wide open 2000 RPM.

Jim

[digits]

Originally Posted by barney9014 For aluminum this is what I feel ok with: End Mill: .25 carbide, 4 flute Depth of Cut: .02 Speed of Cut: 10 to 12 ipm (Others have reported 16 ipm) Plunge: 5 ipm Spindle speed: wide open Coolant: None I made some gear box side plates yesterday including drilling, pocket cutting and perimeter cutting. They took about 45 minutes each under CNC. Still much faster than manual. I should be using coolant. From doing some reading the 1/8" mills will require you to slow down from this, plus require a higher spindle speed. I broke an 1/8" mill in a cut the other day that a 1/4" walked right on through. The spindle speed was to low even at wide open 2000 RPM. Jim

Thanks

I had a go milling with those settings - went much better, but I now suspect I have a problem with one of my stepper motor drivers - I think I'm losing steps in the X-axis

[pastera]

The only thing I would add is to use a GOOD quality 2-flute for slotting.
They also work very well for general work on aluminum (don't clog up as much).
I have no problems with using a 1/2" two or four flute but can't take more than a 0.020 DOC in steel and even that is pushing it. IMO, a 3/8" EM is the largest for normal work.

Aaron

[MIKE JEFFERS]

for milling ally get a sharp or preferably new cutter and use coolant
wd 40 or similar is fine (i've even used tea, it was an emergengy)
aluminium will melt and weld it's self to your cutter next step breakage and
more scrap.
as for feed rates i run with turbocnc and the sweetspot is 80 (mmpm/fpm/?)
looks like 80 mm per min cutting 1mm deep using a 4mm 2fl cutter
will run away allday like this no dramas. thing to remember is that its easiy
to scrap somethig you've put a lot of time in by ramping up the speeds.
start small and make notes and build your confidence (in the mill as well as you)
btw bolting the mill to a bench (or a paving slab) cuts chatter and it just sounds happier ( as it trundles of through the clamps :-)
i have used a modified 20 mm cutter in mine at times but now use my x3
for the big stuff.
mike.

[digits]

Originally Posted by MIKE JEFFERS for milling ally get a sharp or preferably new cutter and use coolant wd 40 or similar is fine (i've even used tea, it was an emergengy) aluminium will melt and weld it's self to your cutter next step breakage and more scrap. as for feed rates i run with turbocnc and the sweetspot is 80 (mmpm/fpm/?) looks like 80 mm per min cutting 1mm deep using a 4mm 2fl cutter will run away allday like this no dramas. thing to remember is that its easiy to scrap somethig you've put a lot of time in by ramping up the speeds. start small and make notes and build your confidence (in the mill as well as you) btw bolting the mill to a bench (or a paving slab) cuts chatter and it just sounds happier ( as it trundles of through the clamps :-) i have used a modified 20 mm cutter in mine at times but now use my x3 for the big stuff. mike.

Cheers, I was cutting my pine at 500mm/min with a 10mm 2-flute, but I did think that was pushing it

The metal for my project should arrive on Friday, but before then I'm going to have a go at cutting out some heatsinks for my sickly driver board from 2"x1/2" ally bar. I will give 100mm/min x 0.5mm deep x 6mm 4-flute a go and see how it runs!

[digits]

Originally Posted by digits Cheers, I was cutting my pine at 500mm/min with a 10mm 2-flute, but I did think that was pushing it The metal for my project should arrive on Friday, but before then I'm going to have a go at cutting out some heatsinks for my sickly driver board from 2"x1/2" ally bar. I will give 100mm/min x 0.5mm deep x 6mm 4-flute a go and see how it runs!

Just finished cutting the heat sinks tonight - I used a 12mm 3 flute at about 280mm/min on 0.25mm cut depth, 5mm stepover and 1000 rpm. It struggled a little, but the cuts look good

Has anyone used a slitting saw on an X-1 - if so, what sizes do you recommend, and what speeds and feedrates do you run them at?