need advice on composite aluminun

[komogt524]

If there is anyone who can offer any advice on routing and cutting of composite aluminum such as alucobond or reynobond it would be greatly appreciated.I am new to the machining end of composite aluminum and am trying to further my career with the company i work for. Hopefully there is someone who can assist me with this




thank you in advance

[Read]

I work almost exclusively in ACM. Are you looking for specifics on feeds and speeds and what sort of bits to use?

[komogt524]

Pretty much info on both those subjects would be greatly appreciated. basically im trying to work my self up into a career status rather than just a job. hopefully by looking for and finding out this info i could possibly boost producivity and prove im more than just a back. Our current running specs are 18000 rpm 450 in per min using her saff insert routing bits and onsrud 63-725 sinle o upcut. Not sure ,this mite be the the most output that can be given for acm to achieve a good finish. please any advice or conversatoin on this matter is greatly appreciated.




thank you

[Read]

Well, I hope I can help you out. In my set-up I use a 63-717 bit from onsrud to trim out parts. Its a 3/16 single flute spiral upcut which runs at 14000rpm and 120 in/min. For 4mm ACM I cut at a depth of .158 in. For V-grooves I use a 37-72 bit, also from onsrud, running at 14000 rpm and 360 in/min. For this one I use a depth of 0.118 in. I've found that this leaves enough plastic at the bottom of the groove to keep the corners from becoming brittle.

To get these numbers I used a feed and speed calculator with a chip load of about 0.012. This chip load seems to disperse heat adequately for continuous running on a 10 hour shift. Tool life is exceptional, the 63-717 I can usually keep for upwards of 400 hours, and the 37-72 for even more than that.

[komogt524]

Thank you for the info that you provided, and i will be giving those tools a try. Do you use lubrication or cut dry?