Aluminum on the mini-CNC

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Hello

Sorry, need to write a full article about doing alu.

But in short.

  1. Head over here; 4mm Diameter 1 Flute Carbide End Mill for Aluminium 22mm Flute Length DLC Coated Associated Production Tools (shop-apt.co.uk)

Pick the tool you want (pass depth, tool dia etc.)

  1. Input feeds and speeds from APT Tool page into Vcarve if not already there. Feeds will be faster than our machine can handle.
    Note the chipload APT’s numbers give, reduce feed and spindle speed to keep this number the same untill you reach something our machine can do. Now run at 70-80% of this chipload.

  2. Pass depth, should be no more than 50% of tool diameter.
    e.g. 4mm tool no more than 2mm per pass.

  3. Run first job at 80% feed override, speed up or slow down based on sound. If its complaining lots, slow it, if its making dust, speed it up etc.

  4. Run any finishing passes at 100 - 110% spindle speed, minimum 20% tool diameter engagement (otherwise will overheat).

Notes;
6080T6 Alu machines the best, the softer you go, the more difficult

Buy lots of tools, you will break some, your working on a knife edge of feeds and speeds.

Vacuum very carefully at the end of the job, alu splinters hurt.

Use a big wasteboard, even better if you face it off to make it super level.

Use very strong clamping, make your own fixtures even! (from ply, dont get carried away its alu)

Hope this helps, please post any results!!

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