Newbie question: Cutting aluminium

[RAN]

I have a CNC router and I have to cut aluminium sheet 0,40Inch I have a Dremel to cut it. I have to use End Mills, Carbide Thread Mills ( TWO FLUTE, THREE FLUTE, FOUR FLUTE... or other thing?
I cut carbon fiber without any dificults but I can cut aluminium with the same carbides.


Thank you in advance,
and sorry my english.

[Karl_T]

My first choice would be a very sharp 1/2" HSS two flute endmill. If you go smaller diameter, you'll have trouble doing full depth in one pass. HSS takes flex shock better than carbide and you don't wear cutting edges dull on AL, also much less $. Carbide will certainly work if you don't have trouble with breakage.

You may have trouble with AL welding to the cutter. If this happens, reduce your speed, increase your feed, and add coolant if you can.

Karl

[RAN]

Thank you for your help.

1/2" HSS in a Dremel isn't to much? :-(
Ny Dremel uses 1/8" collet...

[Karl_T]

Sorry 'bout that. You probably can't get a large cutter. You'll need multiple passes.

Karl

[RAN]

Can I use a 1/8" Hss 2 flutes with multiple passes? (I have time) :-)

[Karl_T]

Sure,

My best guess would be maybe 0.100 deep per pass. Depth depends on your machine, but 1/2 to 1 diameter of cutter is a good start. If you break one, you just went too deep <VBG> You might need to have an air blast or an air/mist blast to help evacuate chips after a couple passes.

Have fun.

Karl