Need Help!- Cutting aluminum sheet

[Smokingman]

I need some help. I have a CNC I use to build guitars. This CNC is primarily designed to cut wood, but I have a need to cut aluminum.

The aluminum sheet is .062" and I need to cut the outline of a guitar and drill a few holes. Can anyone give a metal newbie some advice?

Can I use the same router bits I use for wood? (i.e. 1/16" 2-flute straight)

What is a good feed/speed rate to try? (My CNC maxes out at 147 in/min.)

Any help would be appreciated!

[Med-Pac]

You should be able to cut it with your machine. Use a bigger cutter than a 1/16 though. I'd step up to a .25 2 flute. do the screw holes first so you can lock the pc down with some screws before you cut the profile. You should be able to cut this in one pass. Not sure on you feedrate, but start slow. probably around 15-20 ipm. BTW harder alloys are much easier to cut witha router ie. 6061, 7075. The softer alloys will clog you up good.

Hope that helps ya,
Mike

[Smokingman]

Med-Pac,

Thanks for the info. What about spindle speed?

[neilw20]

3000-6000 rpm is my guess. But you can run slower.