I am milling 6061 aluminum 1" thick on a Haas VF2. I'm starting with a square plate 10x10, the outside of part ends up being almost oval, there is some pocket milling in the middle, but no holes.
I can clamp down the corners and mill the pockets, then cutout the oval exterior shape, but when the cutter make the last pass, the part will be free and may bounce off the cutter.
Any ideas appreciated on how to hold down this part, when it is cut free from the clamped corners.
The only idea I have is to make that final cut half way around, then stop the machine and swing a big clamp over the middle of the part.
What do you do when a big part is going to be cut free of the clamps, and you can't put any holes in it to hold it down.
Thanks
I can clamp down the corners and mill the pockets, then cutout the oval exterior shape, but when the cutter make the last pass, the part will be free and may bounce off the cutter.
Any ideas appreciated on how to hold down this part, when it is cut free from the clamped corners.
The only idea I have is to make that final cut half way around, then stop the machine and swing a big clamp over the middle of the part.
What do you do when a big part is going to be cut free of the clamps, and you can't put any holes in it to hold it down.
Thanks