Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] orange peel on aluminum

Jon Anderson wrote:

> Smoke wrote:
> >
> > I'd say the biggest culprits to look for would be toll vibration and
> > dull tools.
>
> I'll second this one. Aluminium build up on the tool causes smearing and
> tearing, and can leave little bits of aluminum welded to the plate by
> the trailing edge.

Keeping the aluminum cool is very important. When it heats up, even
a little, it gets softer, and the tendency to melt on the tool increases
dramatically. I use flood coolant on many aluminum machining
operations to keep the workpiece cool, and prevent this kind of mess.
Flycutting generally doesn't cause that much heating of the work, but
the tool gets pretty hot.

Jon