the company where i'm working is making since a while contracts that are implicating thin stainless steel 304 sheets cutting (0.016’’-0.024’’). unfortunately, the actual machinery has only been designed to cut non ferrous material (multicam 5000 series).
our objective would to be able to cut thin ss 304 sheets laminated on plywood with our multicam 5000 series milling machine. the milling needs to be done preferably dry (cannot be made with the traditional flood of coolant), with a ¼’’ mill bit.
at this moment, we have try with ma ford tuffcut xr series (altin coated carbide) with compressed air and mineral oil at feed and speeds advised by them on their web site. it works well, but unfortunately the bit last about 10 minutes (cutting 295'' total).
anyone can help me about the increasing of the tool life:
what is causing this early tool wear abrasion, heat build up or both?
how long would a bit normally last for dry milling with air stream and mineral oil with ep?
should i get better bit life (less tool wear) by using a mist of water base coolant ( between 5 and 10 for 1) with a device like spraymaster http://www.tricocorp.com/products/product.aspx?c=5&p=22
?
please if anyone can help me it would be appreciated