Cutting narrow slots (.005"W X .0045"D) across fins (.012") of 303/304 SST
Hello,
A machining question for folks on this forum.
I'm trying to make a small slot across the top of some fins of our fixture. (See Pix) Our Fixture has a 40,80, and 120 mm version.
The slot is going to be .005" W X .0045"D. The fins are .012" thick. Material is to be 303 or 304 SST.
We need the slots to be uniform all the way up the length of all the fins. They need to be as close to those dimensions as possible. We need the bottom of the slot to be even and flat as possible. NOTE: Some radius on the inside corner of the slot is ok but not more than .001".
Does anyone have suggestions on how to make this slot?
Conventional CNC machining - tried already with small .006 or .007 diameter end mills. Bottom of milling was very rough (not flat). Machinist couldn't hold tolerances.
Wire EDM - might be possible but would need something like 0.002" diameter wire (Tungsten?). Not sure if wire EDM could do this in a line or not. Radius on the bottom would be ok but we need the middle .003" of the slot to be flat(ish).
Sink EDM - not sure if this is practical or not.
Electrochemical Machining?
Etching?
Laser / water cutting? Probably too much radius needed for the more exotic processes. I assume they wouldn't be able to whole slot length.
Please help.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Zenbot01
Hello,
A machining question for folks on this forum.
I'm trying to make a small slot across the top of some fins of our fixture. (See Pix) Our Fixture has a 40,80, and 120 mm version.
The slot is going to be .005" W X .0045"D. The fins are .012" thick. Material is to be 303 or 304 SST.
We need the slots to be uniform all the way up the length of all the fins. They need to be as close to those dimensions as possible. We need the bottom of the slot to be even and flat as possible. NOTE: Some radius on the inside corner of the slot is ok but not more than .001".
Does anyone have suggestions on how to make this slot?
Conventional CNC machining - tried already with small .006 or .007 diameter end mills. Bottom of milling was very rough (not flat). Machinist couldn't hold tolerances.
Wire EDM - might be possible but would need something like 0.002" diameter wire (Tungsten?). Not sure if wire EDM could do this in a line or not. Radius on the bottom would be ok but we need the middle .003" of the slot to be flat(ish).
Sink EDM - not sure if this is practical or not.
Electrochemical Machining?
Etching?
Laser / water cutting? Probably too much radius needed for the more exotic processes. I assume they wouldn't be able to whole slot length.
Please help.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Zenbot01