[Clawsie Machine]

I looking at some large numbers starting now in 6061. I have a few pockets in a part that are -.260" deep and -.457" deep. I'm doing it with a 1/4" HSS 3 flute cutter now and on the -.260" dp pocket, I'm doing it in 2 passes, 4 on the other. Now my question is:

1. Would the "principals" of high speed machining be better to make say 7 passes on the -.260 dp pocket at say 10X the feed? Or what would you recommend?

Pocket is roughly 1" square and the other part is say 1" X 2" and another 1" square. Rads. NEED to be .128 MAX. Can ramp or plunge in.

Thanks, John:rainfro:

[Geof]

You missed saying what your speed and feed will be so of course it is not possible to know how fast 10x the feed is.

Doing these pockets I would look at using a Carbide 3/8" dia. 45 degree helix two flute, GAR 242, at 10,000 rpm and a feed of at least 100 ipm ramping down to full depth on the shallow pocket and doing the deeper in two ramps. Then switch to the 1/4" for a finish pass. Flood coolant would be needed to get good chip evacuation.

[Clawsie Machine]

Geof, thank you. RPM limit is ONLY 6000. So I run it to 5950 RPM and 42 IPM with 3 flute 1/4" 3 flute HSS cutter. Thanks and will look into that as well. John