stupid question about milling

[ironofeden]

I have some st/st discs that i need to put a 1mm radial groove in 1mm deep on a 280mm pcd, should be done on a lathe probably but would i get away with making a fly cutter and doing it on a mill any help is much appreciated

cheers

benjamin

[christinandavid]

Only one way to find out! I can't foresee any problems apart from can your spindle run slow enough, vibration/chatter marks in the bottom of the groove and getting the flycutter set to the correct diameter (depending on your tolerance, obviously).

Assuming you can run your spindle slow enough (I would go for about 40rpm to reduce heat and the chances of vibration starting up) the other issues, if they occur, would probably be alleviated by initially marking out, measuring and then roughing the groove to depth with a radiused v-shaped tool (this would leave a nice chamfer on the finished groove also). Then use your flat tool just to take out the corners.

DP

[Algirdas]

easy. Proper tool, thorough setup, good machine and here it goes.

[ImanCarrot]

Could you hold the part in the mill tool holder (the spinny bit) and clamp a tool to the bed? kinda like a vertical lathe.

[christinandavid]

Good lateral thinking there...that technique is commonly used (by myself, anyway) to 'modify' tool holders....sort of like a 'controlled' collision with a turning tool

Heck, I would rather interpolate a pin out of a big square chunk with a skinny end mill than go jump on a lathe

The method to choose here would probably be decided by the amount of tooling to construct, to achieve the necessary rigidity. I am guessing by the use of the word 'disc' these parts may be quite thin so if they are not clamped to the bed, you would need to fasten them to quite a rigid plate. If there are through holes in the part clamping is easy, but if not...Then of course you need to clock them true...and get them flat....

Will be interesting to know what you end up doing!

DP