Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] orange peel on aluminum

Tom Eldredge wrote:

> Jon,
>
> I recall some posts regarding flood/mister comparrison. I prefer not to
> discuss the environmental concerns of each, unless you think they are an
> important concern for a normally healthy person, but I would like one of you
> to comment on the relative benifits of one method over the other in light
> machining of aluminum. I am interested in a quality finish. I am familiar
> with the problem of metal deposits on the tool in machining aluminum causing
> poor finish results. Part of my concern is the mess caused by one method
> over the other. It seems that the mister would produce much less mess to
> deal with when machining large parts.

Well, the flood system has the ability to remove large amounts of heat from
the workpiece. It also has the ability to weight down the confetti with water,
which prevents it from flying all over the shop, which can be a problem in
some operations. I use a few sheets of plexiglas stuck in the table slots, and
also built a wraparound plexiglas guard that hooks onto the table. I can't
compare to mist, as I've never used it. But, I do like the flood system, now
that I have a coolant concentrate that works well. When doing detailed milling
on thin aluminum sheets with small end mills, the tool doesn't move very
fast (in the feedrate sense) and so the heat remains in one small area, causing
the workpiece to heat up, and then you have a mess! Flood coolant doesn't
usually spray all that much, as long as you control the flow with a valve, and
just use enough to wet the work area.

Jon