Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Aluminum cutting,,,,,,,

Smoke wrote:

> Max speed on my mill is only about 3200 RPM and I think I'll pass on using
> an 1/8" end mill when surface finishing a 5"+ wide piece or cutting 1" plus
> groove widths.

Well, up to the max RPM on your spindle, the interesting thing is that a large
end mill doesn't actually allow higher feed rates, at least for finishing.
I used to think that you needed really big end mills to remove a lot of
metal quickly, but finally figured out that a small end mill, turning fast, can
remove metal FASTER, given that fairly small depth of cut and chip load
will be used. Yes, when carving out big cavities or grooves, then the
larger tools do better, but when finishing on the side of the cutter, the
smaller tools can spin faster, therefore more teeth per minute, so you
can feed faster. The limit, of course, is the length of cut. The small
end mills will deflect or chatter on the longer cuts, while the larger tools
will stay rigid.

Jon