[eljainc]

Hello,

I need some guidance here:

We want to undertake cutting a curved shape into a 4" x 4" piece of aluminum plate, thickness of 1/2"

The piece will look similar to this:





Our radius needs to be 12.5", again the piece is 4" square, 1/2" thick.

We have a homebuilt CNC XYZ router which we have successfully cut plexiglass and other plastics, but this is our first real foray into aluminum.
We have a bosch 1/2 HP router.
We have ordered from ENCO some 2 flute special purpose aluminum cutting, 1/4" and 1/2" diameter ball nose endmills.

I have talked with one person who gave me some general advise on fabrication:

1. Keep your RPMs of the router somewhere in the middle (too low will drag the tool into the metal, too high will generate excessive heat).
2. If need be, keep the material cool with an alcohol mist (70% isopropyl)
3. 10/1000ths to 30/30000ths material per pass maximum
4. 20"/min feed speed maximum
5. Careful handling the tools, keep them sharp

The software I use to run the XYZ router table is DeskCNC.

What software can I use to design this part? DeskCNC can create all of the toolpaths, etc, but I'm at a little of a loss on how I can set up the
part in a CAD, then generate the G-Code.

Thanks for any help on this seemingly simple part.

Thanks
Mike




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