Helix for Al

[DavidB]

Hi all,

 

What is the best Helix angle for a solid carbide milling cutter used for finish maching Al?

Some Tool suppliers say 45 degrees some 30 degrees.

 

Any thoughts.

Thx in advance

[crazy^millman]

I say anything that is 2 or 3 flute. I think it is a matter of what you got and can work with. If you are roughing, semi roughing or finishing then that will control the results of what you are trying to achieve. I would also say that if the problem of chip evuaction would be less with the 45 than the 30 in slotting or taking deep cuts.

 

HTH

[Stone]

I use a 2 flute 45 degree helix carbide endmill and it does an excellent job and leaves a mirror finish.

[Lucky]

We are currently using some Fraisa solid carbide scutters on a big aluminum job. They are the best I've ever used. 40 Deg helix and more importantly 25 degree POSITIVE rake.

 

Cutters for machining hardened steel from the same company have 40 deg helix and 5 degree NEGATIVE rake.

 

Proper rake angle is more important than helix angle.

[Bruce Caulley]

David,

2 flute 45 degree helix. 30 deg helix will chatter like buggery at high revs.

 

Bruce

[DavidB]

Hey Bruce,

Do you know of a company called Hi tech Tooling in Brisbane?

My mate packed up here and is starting there Mon.

 

Cheers David

 

[ 02-10-2005, 06:54 PM: Message edited by: DavidB ]

[Psychomill]

I agree with Bruce. 30 degree is ok if your LOC is short (like a stubby!). I generally avoid them at all costs

[Bruce Caulley]

David,

I have heard of Hi Tech. The indecipherable scotsman who sits behind me used to work there.

 

Bruce

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

I avoid 2 Flute E/M's like the plague.... 3 FLute for me. 45 is preferable to me...

[DavidB]

Interesting that most people have suggested a 45 degree helix. Sandvik have a new range of solid carbide milling cutters just for Al there Helix is 30 degrees and 13 degrees rake and there all 2 flutes.

The Unimills I have been buying from another supplier are 46 degrees Helix.

 

Thanks for all the replys

[DavidB]

Just some feed back for those interested. I used some solid carbide uncoated cutters from GARR EDP#10410. They where 45 degree helix Unimills. Surface finish was great.I was very happy with them.

 

Thanks all

[mill guy]

DavidB, The sandvic cutters work great. Although the price will make you second guess using them. I have found that Mitsubishi end mills {Diamond star} are the better deal for tool life. I use them on stainless and also on some 52Rc material. Only taking an ap of .007 side cut x .5 deep, and running it at 97 ipm. I cant rember off the top of my head on the speed. But it went back to back with the sandvic and it out performed by 2 1/2 folds...

 

High helis when ever possible, for high speed machining.

 

Ed

[Bruce Caulley]

David,

We use garr also, only with 2 flutes. What sort of speed and feed, doc were you using with those 3 fluters?

We can go up to 25,000rpm here and we are often machining deep thin walls.

 

I don't know if a 3 flute tool would give good results with our machining strategies at the moment, but any new information always comes in handy.

 

Bruce

[notso]

I've had great luck w/ Niagara A245 (2flute 45deg helix) and A345 (3flute 45 deg helix) end mills. Great surface finishes & tool life. Although I noticed that the corners on the 3 flute seem more prone to breakage.

[Thee Cutterman]

David

 

quote:

---

Sandvik have a new range of solid carbide milling cutters just for Al there Helix is 30 degrees and 13 degrees rake and there all 2 flutes.

---

i have just started to use these and they are a great cutter.Excellent surface finish. If they last as long as their other aluminium grade cutters, they will be worth the extra money.

 

Hey Bruce. Do you know anyone from E.G.R Plastics up there?.

 

Darren

[Bruce Caulley]

Darren,

We have two former EGR staff here. Craig Jeffrey sits next to me. Michael Topping was our purchasing officer, but he has just left.

 

What RPM are you using on those sandvik tools?

 

ATB

Bruce

[Thee Cutterman]

Bruce

got max 15,000 RPM on my Okuma so we use all of that. Need more Feed rates vary depending on the material thickness and clamping setup.

 

Raeson i asked is that my dad went out with Greg form E.G.R. yesterday. He used to deal with Greg before he retired from Holden and knows a few people from up there.

 

Darren