Cutting Aluminium ecologically

[spaltiel]

Hi All,

I am building a cnc tool. It include Chinese spindle (2.2 kW) min speed of 8000RPM.
I would like to millaluminium. I read that 8000RPM is too high and I will have to use coolant at this RPM.

I am really concerned about health issues therefor I am trying to avoid the use of cutting oil, which I think is not healthy.

I thought to use pure water as coolant (Since water is not an issue for aluminium). Does any one use only pure water as coolant?

Does anyone familiar with ecologically coolant for aluminium? Or other healthy technique to mill aluminium without cutting oil?


Regards,
Amir

[HorridHenry]

I am trying to avoid the use of cutting oil, which I think is not healthy.

Are you drinking it,Amir?

Since you have a 2.2kw spindle are you not using a VFD with it? this should get the motor right down speed wise.

[vid1900]

We use just plain tap water in our horizontal bandsaw when cutting steel and aluminum.

After we are done, we spray the vise and table with WD40 so as not to encourage rust.

[vid1900]

Also, you should note that many coolants are vegetable based and non toxic

[spaltiel]

Originally Posted by HorridHenry Are you drinking it,Amir? Since you have a 2.2kw spindle are you not using a VFD with it? this should get the motor right down speed wise.

not drinking it () however there are steam and smoke from it.
I do have VFD (x200 hitachi) and I can control the speed however the spec of the spindle is 8k -24k RPM so don't know the effect if i going bellow it.

[spaltiel]

Originally Posted by vid1900 We use just plain tap water in our horizontal bandsaw when cutting steel and aluminum. After we are done, we spray the vise and table with WD40 so as not to encourage rust. Also, you should note that many coolants are vegetable based and non toxic

10x. Maybe I will try to spray only water and hopefully it will be enough.
Do you have experience with the vegetable coolants? Can you recommend one?

BTW does your machine is sealed except the table and spindle?

[HorridHenry]

so don't know the effect if i going bellow it.

Don't understand? that VFD has a digital readout for its speed.

google speeds for cutting metal and this will give you an basic idea as to what speed you need to set the spindle to.

Not the best link to direct you to but if your maths are good the equations are there.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speeds_and_feeds

[foam27]

91% isopropyl alcohol works for me.

[spaltiel]

Originally Posted by HorridHenry Don't understand? that VFD has a digital readout for its speed. google speeds for cutting metal and this will give you an basic idea as to what speed you need to set the spindle to. Not the best link to direct you to but if your maths are good the equations are there. Speeds and feeds - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I don't see specific speed. However, what I mean is the following - if I will go bellow 8000RPM maybe the force that the spindle induce for cut will be lower.

Thanks for the link

[louieatienza]

I usually cut at 12k-13krpm, but at 60-70ipm and .125" doc for pocketing, and .063" profiling on a .250 endmill. As long as your setup is ridgid enough to take it. I find aluminum machines well as faster rpm as long as you match the speed to get the right sized chips.

I was using WD-40 and such for aluminum, but I found a better, cheaper solution.... PAM High Heat cooking spray! It even smells like breakfast! Datron machines use methanol for coolant.

[rowbare]

Use smaller cutters they need more RPM to get the required SFM. 1/4 inch and smaller HSS or carbide should work. Take very light cuts and you should be fine.

bob

[spaltiel]

Originally Posted by rowbare Use smaller cutters they need more RPM to get the required SFM. 1/4 inch and smaller HSS or carbide should work. Take very light cuts and you should be fine. bob

I am not sure I understand.
1/4 inch hss without coolant @ 8000RPM should be OK? 0.04" depth is OK?

Thanks anyway for the info.