[Paul Wood]

Newbie Alert !

Hi
Been looking at plunge milling for a job as it is apparently easier on the older machines There is a lot of material to remove (Aluminum 6082 T6 )
in closed pockets 3 inches deep 8 inches wide 5 inches long 120cu/inch so I was going to use an old almost redundant machine to rough it out.
I only have use of Solidcam to program it but it doesn't seem to have the option for plunge mill where you can specify tool pull off on tool retract.
I could fudge it using drill option but no pull off also need to put a fairy large starting hole in the stock to allow the plunge op and not sure the best way to do this.
or
Just set it for a conventional milling and wait out the extra time

Thanks

[imachining-6061]

Do you have imachining module with solidcam ?

[Paul Wood]

Hi
Yes I'm pretty sure it does as I was looking at that feature

[imachining-6061]

Well then it's a piece of cake . I have machined a 6 inch deep pocket with imachining. All you have to do is to choose a 45 degree or higher helix carbide endmill . Coz 30 deg tents to make noise during machining . Make sure you drill a entry hole . Coz long series endmill is not good at helical entry . There is lot of tutorials for imachining in the you tube as well as the solidcam website
Good luck and wish you all success

[Paul Wood]

I could certainly do more and get closer to the finish using the end mill
What diameter tool did you use to go 6 inches ?
Thanks for the advice on the helix angle being quiet as if it's going away at it for hours noise may become an issue

[imachining-6061]

I used a 20 x 120 x 200 mm endmill. With Imachining you can finish the the pocket below 30 mins .

[JFettig]

It wouldn't be very difficult to use an extended reach end mill, they ramp just fine. Finish with a long one if needed.

[Paul Wood]

I think I'd start with a regular 20mm end mill which should get most of the material especially since Solidcam will allow the tool holder down into the pocket where it can and dodge the sides where it will hit the job. The machine is 15kw with 10k rpm spindle

[imachining-6061]

Good thinking! For 20 mm end mills 10 to 12 kW should be enough .