Router guys -- good tool and speed/feed for cutting out shapes in 1/4" 6061?

Finegrain said:

Hi guys,

Looking for parameters to cut out a ~19" x 5" curvy part from 1/4" 6061 with my Brother Speedio. HSM Advisor tells me I can do 8,000 RPM and 96 IPM (.004" chipload) with a 3-flute 1/2" @ 60% tool torque. If I drop down to a 3/8", I get tool torque warnings way before I run out of HP. A max HP HSM toolpath takes ~3X as long as a max HP full depth contour cut BTW.

Other ideas on tool and parameters?

Thanks, and regards.

Mike

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2outof3 said:

Why so low on RPM?

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Finegrain said:

Oh shoot, I just saw that I typo-ed a parameter in HSM Advisor .

I can go a lot faster than 8k. Looks like I'm good for 16,000 RPM and 192 IPM.

Is a 3-flute ZrN straight EM still a reasonable tool to use? Is there something better for thru-cutting 1/4" 6061?

Regards.

Mike

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2outof3 said:

What diameter? I think .375 would be best.

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Finegrain said:

I was thinking 1/2" but yes, 3/8" allows 240 IPM without running out of HP.

Regards.

Mike

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