Cuting Stainless disks

[pete mcadams]

Hi Folks

I have to cut a bunch of 11 inch diamiter disks out of 1 inch 304 stainles plate. the job was quoted on for laser cuting but it can't cut that thick. I have a 15 inch wide plate to start with. I plan on clamping it down around the edges and leaving a small tab to hold the part in. I can grind the tab off later. For cutters I have a 3/4 Sandvik 390. Could go with a smaler solid carbide.

I would like any input or sugestions

thanks

pete

[Quickmike]

Maybe it could be cut with a waterjet. I'm not sure as far as the perpendicular requirement on the outside of the part, but I'm pretty sure a waterjet could do it. Maybe even if the kerf is to much of an angle this could rough it then mill it or turn it.

[Psychomill]

How about chuck it against the tail stock on a lathe and slug it out? We do that here when we're using plate blanks for lathe parts. Takes very little time.

[pete mcadams]

waterjet would be nice but we don't have one

I would do it on the lathe but then I have to do it and I don't have time, on the mill I can let it run over nite. Trying to get tabs on the part to hole it in.

thanks

pete

[BernieT]

Pete, I think you could do a Contour- Ramp toolpath with pass at final depth - use 'Depth' - maybe .075 or .10 depth per. Put .010 shims under the sides where the clamps are. No tabs necessary. Cut depth should be .005 above the table. Just let the slug fall the .010. It won't go anywhere. With the helical toolpath the mat'l holding the slug at the end will slowly fade out and the slug will just lay there. Good luck.

[Gary]

Running unattended is kinda risky because when the slug breaks away the cutter will often wedge the slug against the part and they bang the hell out of each other. Just my experiances.

[Psychomill]

+1 Bernie...

 

I've done it that way also. But, as Gary mentioned, I had an operator who once, somehow, managed to get one wedged and ... well, it got ugly fast.

 

So now, I'll ramp/contour the slug and leave .01 on the floor. Then I do one of two things, change tools to a smaller diameter to cut it out (Say you ramp with a 3/4, then part it out with a 3/8), or we'll leave the .01 skin, remove the part and hammer the slug out.

 

Just watch out... the .01 skin is sharp!!!

[MACHINEMASTERG]

+1 to psycomill

id doit like that leave the .01 and deburr it off that .01 in stainless will hold it no problum ...

[robk]

+1 to the other guys. Sandvik's R390 will do you just fine as long as you're using PM inserts instead of the PL... .125 DOC & ramping it @ 7° is very safe (they recommend up to 15°). I would also use a smaller dia. solid carbide to do the final break-through, but I would leave more than .010 for that op...

Also, thumbs up for running it unattended.

[John Summers]

I would think you could get a cleaner, faster cut by drilling an entry hole, then milling on planes. Pushing the face of the cutter into the work isn't good for chipmaking.

[pete mcadams]

Thanks

I cut the disks using a 3/4 inch 390 I was able to start of the edge of the blank so no predrilling or ramping. worked well and I won't be as fearfull on that kind of job again.

Pete