Depth of cut rule of thumb

[nickelback]

What is a good rule of thumb for the depth of cut using a flat, ball endmill while machining soft tool steel? While machining graphite? (Carbide cutters)Does 1/2 of cutter dia. sound good for tool steel? 3/4 of dia. for graphite?

[Dan_AKA_ROY]

I'd go with half the diameter of endmill used. Never cut graphite so maybe someone who has can chime in here.

[Boris Schatalow]

For Graphite you can use the entire flute lenght,so as to get the most out of your tool life.

The material is easy to machine, but wears down a cutter from the abrasive nature of this material.

[Aaron AKA. Zippy]

It depends on what type of cut ie; slot or profile, and the cutter/machine como plays an important role in chosing depth of cut and raidial cut. My rule of thumb for A2 D2 and whaten is 50%-75% of dia when sloting and 150% and up when profiling. It depends on what you can get away with. I fing it is always better to go deeper when you can so you wear out the whole end mill and not just the end.

 

Just my .02

Aaron

[crazy^millman]

Just remember Carbon it is brittle as hell. Can rough things deep as the endmill goes just allow for chipping and flaking. I would look to highspeed machining techiqunes for maching this material small depths of cuts very high rpms and very high feedrates will do circles around deep cuts and low rpms everyday of the week on the right machine.

 

 

HTH

[CAM-mando]

On the graphite if you are using a few standard tools, you may want to also consider diamond coated endmills. A bit pricy but they out last uncoated carbide by a mile. Then as Ron says you can fly with normal depths and high speeds with little concern for tool wear.

 

I have a couple different sizes that I try to use when I can for electrode work.

[El Scotthead]

+1 to Ron and Cam.

 

http://www.jabro-tools.com/images/TORNADO_2005.pdf

 

That link is what I use when cutting graphite. The numbers given are good for coated carbide end mills, and are a conservative starting point for diamond tools.

 

Go down to page 19 and there is a chart called "Depth - Width of Cut". The numbers here are given as a percent of tool diameter. I didn't see where it explained this, but "ae" = radial width of cut and "ap" = depth of cut.

 

HTH

Scott

[Hardmill]

quote:

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Los CAMmandos

 

El Scotthead

 

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What give w/ the mexican theme??

 

 

PEACE

[El Scotthead]

quote:

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What give w/ the mexican theme??

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Corona, tequilla jello shots, and bowling. Need I say more

[Metal Flake (clocked in)]

Roy! You're killin me with that chick! How am I supposed to learn anything good here when my eyes are stuck on that pic. Good lord jesus and the shepherds! If that chick gets any hotter she'll melt the polar ice caps and drown us all!!

 

 

....think I'll go have some oysters down at the marina after work today.

 

Dan

[Dan_AKA_ROY]

LOL

 

She's my fiance...at least in my dreams!

[El Scotthead]

quote:

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Señor Hardmill

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LOL. I think you're about 1 chalupe short of a fiesta. MMM, taco bell. Gotta go, the bell is calling.

 

El Scotthead

[Hardmill]

Come join the fun over here:

off topic

 

I claim this thread to be officially HI-JACKED!!

 

 

PEACE