[HuFlungDung]

Before machining a pocket, which do you think would be handiest:

a) Drill a hole full depth with a different tool. Then begin the pocket with the tool at the hole location.

b) Make a continuous feed plunge to the depth of the initial roughing cut (no chip break) with the current tool.

c) Make a peck feed, chip breaking plunge to the depth of the initial roughing cut with the current tool. (Remember, this option includes the option for 1 peck).

d) Create an entry ramp with a hammer and a cold chisel


Don't be afraid to vote. Your thoughtful opinion is as good as the next guy's.... er.....person's (Hi Jennifer)

[HuFlungDung]

Paul G, is there a way to track the guys that vote on option 4?

[steveag]

None of the above . 5.19 has some interesting features in Z level roughing . But I like to ramp down with a 1 to 3 degree angle with the same tool and a forced Z level for the bottem of the pocket and a .005" to.01" for finish then a Z level finish pass .

[E-Stop]

I prefer to do a helical interpolation ramp to depth with the current tool. Especially in aluminum. This works well in most steel applications too, with the right speeds/feeds.

[hardmill]

If your tooled up proper, I like to ramp into a pocket
@ defined depth cuts. Only 1 tool (insert mill),no tool change
and quick material removal.
Otherwise I like option 4

PEACE

[cncadmin]

Originally posted by HuFlungDung
Paul G, is there a way to track the guys that vote on option 4?

Yes their is but it's gonna cost you. :rainfro:

[Jennifer]

I deal primarily with MDF so depending on how deep the pocket I'll either ramp or plunge to the full depth and pocket with the same tool.

[HuFlungDung]

Yes, I can appreciate those other options that you guys are talking about, but please humor me and vote the poll, if you haven't already. I'm polling one basic category of entry, not all categories.

[hardmill]

With the options given I'd say drill to depth.
Option 1

PEACE

[steveag]

Why would you want a poll on this method ?

[HuFlungDung]

Originally posted by steveag
Why would you want a poll on this method ?

I just want to see how far out in left field my preference is (#3).

I do a lot of work in stringy plastics, so a slot drill works fine for the plunge, no need for a different tool. But, chip wrap is a problem during the plunge, which is why I'd like to see peck feed plunge, without actually calling up a seperate G83 to do it.

[steveag]

I have found that ramping down at a 1 to 3 degree angle , helix or on a line or ect depends on size and shape , gives me much better tool life . Much of the time I use carbide tooling into up to 60RC A2 or 35 to40 RC 410 stainless so tool life becomes important.

[HuFlungDung]

Yes, helical ramping is somewhat new to me since I've gotten OnecncXP so it hasn't yet become second nature to me to choose to try that method as my default. I may have to modernize

[jtrav]

I know it is probably not as sexy as helical ramping with your tool,
but Drilling a clearance hole is quicker i.e you can plunge feed more rapidly than you can helical ramp and it also allows more flexibility with the cutter you are going to machine out your slot or pocket with. end mill/slot dril etc, etc
However as always it depends on your preference and your circumstances and the material your working with.

regards jtrav

[cadcam]

I like with some steels to ramp with a width so as it ramps it slots so there is room for the chips to go.

And I also do helix or in some cases to like the 13-8 job I am doing now I am useing a cub drill first.

It really matters to me on the shape the matl and how am I holding it,so that kind of goes with the shape that.

[Rich Monfo]

I really like using the feed plunge method with a 1 degree
ramp down setting . I think it`s easier
on the cutter . So I'll go with option #3

[hardmill]

Originally posted by jtrav

but Drilling a clearance hole is quicker i.e you can plunge feed more rapidly than you can helical ramp and it also allows more flexibility with the cutter you are going to machine out your slot or pocket with. end mill/slot dril etc, etc

regards jtrav

I doubt you'll be drilling @ 600 sfm, add in your tool change
and I'll take the helix or ramp method all day long.
Again just my preference, not my fault i've been spoiled
with all types of new fangled cutters

PEACE

[E-Stop]

And once again we have shown that there many different ways to get there. It's not the destination (we all end up with the same part), it's the journey getting there that's interesting. And each job depending on pocket size and depth, material, type of machine, setup rigidity, tooling available and many other factors will change the method used until you find that ultimate combination.

[Rekd]

And each job depending on pocket size and depth, material, type of machine, setup rigidity, tooling available and many other factors will change the method used until you find that ultimate combination.

You know what's driven most of my methods and approaches to machining parts in the last few years? How the hell I'm gonna get my price down lower than joe schmoe up the street. It's amazing that companies are losing work they've had for years because they refuse to take advantage of new technology on existing jobs. But that's good, because that means I can swoop in and snatch it out from under them by slamming the parts out 2 times as fast and 3 times prettier.

Hardmill. The name alone wreaks of technology. To be honest, the first time I saw your name, for a brief second I was thinking; here's some hard-headed old man standing next to a knee mill with lines drawn every inch along his table so he didn't have to count as much..cuz he's too damn "old fashioned" to buy a damn analam or prototrac or SOMETHING.

'Rekd teh not committed to any single method for any single process

[Fish]

Why not a choice of methods. On one of our machines, using different tools is the best choice since you can remove material faster by drilling. However, on another machine, the tool changes are too slow, and if it's a sizeable run, this becomes a problem.

I know you were looking for a simple answer, but we're machinists.....there are a million "Right' ways.