584,833 active members*
5,809 visitors online*
Register for free
Login
IndustryArena Forum > Community Club House > Machinist Hangout > Machining 3D form into aluminium honeycomb
Results 1 to 5 of 5
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Posts
    19

    Machining 3D form into aluminium honeycomb

    Hi all,

    Does anyone have any experience with machining a 3D multiform shape into Aluminium honeycomb?

    I'm hoping to remove one skin from a sandwich panel (or buy it in only skinned on one face).... Vac it to the bed of my router, then use some kind of ball end honeycomb cutter to shape the form I need.

    Has anyone tried this before?... I've seen Honeycomb hoggers from companies like Onsrud for machining planar geometries but can't see anything for multiform 3D machining.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Posts
    152

    Re: Machining 3D form into aluminium honeycomb

    Never tried but it`s an intriguing idea. You don`t mention the thickness of the honeycomb that you are thinking of machining nor the width (thickness of the web upstands ). I think the biggest problem will be feed rates. As you enter each section the cutter will have a tendancy to bend rather than cut through the mesh. If I were going to attempt this I would certianly think along the lines of backing up the form before attempting to machine it. Possibly use some expanding foam but not before applying a good coating of release agent then that will help in the cutting. The next problem will be extracting the foam without damaging the aluminium .

    Good luck

    Syd

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Posts
    5728

    Re: Machining 3D form into aluminium honeycomb

    Maybe filling it with wax would work - it would be easier to remove (by melting) than urethane foam.
    Andrew Werby
    Website

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Posts
    803

    Re: Machining 3D form into aluminium honeycomb

    We did honeycomb of trailing edge (F-18) stuffing 3d with a 4axis machine and "baloney slicers" It looked like they made those from old Hemi 2.12 intake valves, They poured some waxy (glycol) in the cells to hold the shape.and melt it out after

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Posts
    152

    Re: Machining 3D form into aluminium honeycomb

    Also may not be an issue removing urethane foam if you can get it as component parts an add water to the mix . It lowers the density of the foam whilst remaining fairly rigid and of course lighter so if weight is a problem then you can just leave it in. If you can give some more information about what your design intent is there might be a whole lot of info` that the community can pass on to you.

    Cheers
    syd

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 0
    Last Post: 11-12-2013, 02:58 PM
  2. Aluminium Parts Machining(China CNC Machining)---www.inhacnc.com
    By youngchon in forum News Announcements
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 10-31-2013, 03:10 PM
  3. Machining Nomex Honeycomb Core
    By RMM97502 in forum Material Machining Solutions
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 12-22-2010, 06:12 PM
  4. Machining aluminum honeycomb
    By Making chips in forum Composites, Exotic Metals etc
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 06-03-2008, 05:23 PM
  5. Source for Aluminium Honeycomb?
    By buildsomething in forum Laser Engraving / Cutting Machine General Topics
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 11-05-2007, 01:53 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •