CNC Tooling

[scottandme]

Originally Posted by Cory

Those are reasonable numbers. I don't know what the % means, but I'm guessing you modified the spindle speed and left the chip load as they recommended it? It probably means that 10,000 RPM is 197% of the default speed it would recommend.

Yup, I normally see around 300-400 SFPM as the suggested range for HSS end mills in 6061. In their database they're using 334 SFPM as the 100% (recommended) speed, and you're at roughly double that if you're running 10k RPM.

It's easy enough to look up the recommended numbers from your end mill manufacturer - here's Niagara http://www.niagaracutter.com/techinfo/index.html

As previously mentioned, I wouldn't suggest trying to slot with a 4-flute cutter in aluminum, especially with just mist. Any problems with chip evacuation (caused worse by increased heat - higher SFPM range) and the cutter is going to load up with aluminum and snap.

Carbide and fewer flutes (1 flute onsrud) solves those issues. At the very least you should reduce the depth of cut a bit so that the chips are smaller and can get out of the slot easier. Probably still have to babysit it and blow chips out of the slot manually.