Large LC Steel Plate bends under pressure.

[blackwolf4278]

Hello everyone. I need some help here with machining a 18x14x0.5 LC Steel Plate.

Does anyone know with what force(ft-lb) should I clamp the plate in a vise so it does not bend? I would really appreciate the help.

 

[Mtndew]

What is LC? Laser cut?

We can't really give you a set number for torque on the vise, mainly because we have no clue what you're going to be doing with this plate.

 

[dandrummerman21]

I think he means low carbon.

Hard to say exactly how much pressure. Try putting an indicator on it and torque it until you see movement.

Generally putting the stock lower in your vise jaws will yield less bending, especially if the bending is upward. In some cases, vise jaws like to tilt back, lending to the force being applied to the lower part of the plate, causing it to go up.

If you can't handle a vise making it go up, just toe clamp the thing to a sacrificial subplate/piece of material.

Everything bends.

 

[sfriedberg]

Not-even-that-old-school technique: Holding 14x18" in a vise? Forget that. Use strap clamps and clamp it to the table (or precise blocks placed under the strap clamp contacts). If you need to machine the entire top surface, clamp part of it, machine the other part, clamp the machined portion before removing the original set of clamps, remove the original set of clamps, machine the remaining part. Manual, you know when to switch clamps. CNC, create an appropriate tool path and put in an M01 when it's time to switch clamps.

 

[plastikdreams]

You know...you don't need to squeeze the piss out of things to keep them in a vise...

 

[Mtndew]

I think he means low carbon.

I can't believe I didn't even think of low carbon. I'm getting old.