[hudsonlighting]

Hi guys,
Is there any guide to milling aluminium with a high speed router? I have a CNC router from RoutoutCNC but the routers minimum speed is 10,000 rpm. As I understood it you need to mill metals at much slower speeds. I plan to use a 4mm steel with Ti coating 4 flute end mill. Any help would be appreciated.

[Geof]

4mm diameter will be fine at 10,000 rpm, you could even go faster. Just use coolant/lubricant and preferably a two flute cutter to give better chip clearance.

[hudsonlighting]

Thanks for the reply, any idea on approximate feed rates?

[Khalid]

SPindle RPM: 24243
Cut Feed= 484IPM

for the mentioned cutter... At 10000you can CUT at 150IPM..

PS:
Don't act on my figures you can loose the endmill

[Geof]

With a cutter that small only about 0.2% to 0.4% of the cutter diameter is safe, depending on your depth and width of cut. That gives around 2 metres per minute feed; which seems fast so maybe go a bit slower.

[Khalid]

for DOC i will suggest you to use value of=1/4 x dia of cutter.. in your case it comes out 1mm....

[spoiledbrat]

Use WD-40, and listen to the router. If the tool clogs up, you will notice a slight change in the sound. Stop cutting, and clean the tool. Aluminum seems to melt/smear onto the carbide. Once clogged, it will break off.

Rob

[Khalid]

Also use helical or ramping entry..do not plunge directly.. we want to save You, your tool, machine , workpiece and offcourse our time for after-effect discussion
Best of Luck

[hudsonlighting]

Thanks very much for all your help guys!

[diycnc]

i router aluminum with 3/16 end mill at 18000 rpm 1000mm/m single oflute onsrud bit 63 series, 1/16" doc

i find on our machine anything more than one flute seems to plug up and is not suitable for production type work, we also have a air mister.