The article below includes information on the parameters and modes of milling cutting. Both of these figures were taken from a working milling and engraving machine. The material offers only a collection of recommendations for processing products with similar properties on a CNC milling machine. The following material is not a set of rules for performing engraving work.
It is necessary to distinguish the degree of influence of various factors (system stiffness, tool cooling, layer height, element size, machining strategy) on the machining process. Since the degree of influence of these factors on the processing of the same material may be different, the result obtained may also vary.
However, general guidelines do exist. And we offer them below:
- Injection molded plastics have a higher melting point. That is why it is recommended for milling.
- Lubricating and Cooling Fluid (Coolant) is required for processing acrylic or aluminum. When cutting these materials, a universal lubricant in a spray can or ordinary water is used to cool the tools.
- In addition, when cutting acrylic, when the cutter is flooded, the speed of the tool should be reduced until barbed chips appear. This will increase the load on the tool, which can increase the likelihood of tool breakage. Pay attention to this. The milling cutters are sold on this site at competitive prices.
- Single-flute or single-flute cutters are relevant when milling soft metals or plastics. It is during the use of single-flute cutters that the optimal conditions for chip evacuation or, therefore, for the removal of heat from the working area appear.
- During milling work, it is necessary to use the processing of the product to continuously remove the surface or material with stable tool operation.
- It is advisable to use counter milling when milling plastic in order to improve the cut quality.
- To obtain the available-necessary roughness of the surface of the product, the step for the passage of the engraver or cutter should be made equal, and best of all, less than the working diameter of the cutter. If an engraver is used, there is less contact patch.
- In order to obtain a high quality surface to be machined, it is recommended not to machine the entire workpiece to its full depth, but to keep the finishing allowance small.
- When cutting small parts of the product, the cutting speed should be reduced so that the finished parts cannot be deformed during processing.
Source: skif-m.org