SX3 3D milling samples

[keen]

I am new to the Syil mills,Bob CADCAM and Mach3 so thought I'd better try out what I've been learning before looking for work. I was most concerned about the SX3 rigidity and accuracy - and how much I could use it for my Injection Moldmaking work- especially when working with P20 (prehardened steel).

Overall for the money it is very impressive! I have made some adustments to gibs and backlash etc and can mill a 50mm circle to within 0.02 of round (div by 25.4 for inch). Cuts very well in the softer materials - and even manages to cut P20 with max revs, carbide D bit cutter - and light cuts. (see JPEGS)

[Flatline's Up!]

crap, I was happy just to get my table to move the other day...

lol...

That looks great IMHO. Can't wait till I can do some work like that

[thackman]

Is that steel or AL in your picture?

Did you use coolant?

I have an X3 on the way and I interested in hearing what other's use for speeds, feeds, endmill size and DoC.

[keen]

Hi thackman - picture shows samples in aluminium,copper. wood and P20 steel - about 35RC hardness. I used HSS cutter for the soft materials without coolant, HSS cutter for the Copper with a smear of cutting oil - and a carbide D bit cutter for the P20 - without coolant.

[SyilAmerica]

Copper is a little "gummy" to machine. What type of oil do you use and how do you like machining it?

[keen]

Yeh the stuff we use in NZ is pretty crappy. You may be more able to source free machining grades - big difference. I use any good quality thin cutting fluid such as Rapid Tap - or a thicker one such as Rocol Ultracut thinned with Kero. A razor sharp cutter with plenty of revs also helps a lot. - the cutter will probably get blunt if the copper is a general grade due to abrasive impurities - and will need resharpening.