covection or climb cut

[tonyc]

IM cutting 1/4 acrylic motor speed 24000 rpm feed rate 325 to 400 ipm .The cutter is a half inch up/down compression bit.I was wondering what would be the best direction to cut covection or climb and why? IM trying to get the best edge on part.Im taking a full dia cut all around part. I dont want to make a finishing cut its not in the job price.I convection cut all my acrylic but is there something im missing about climb cutting

[crazy^millman]

In this case I would say if you are not cutting off excess, but slot milling not matter what you will be climbing one side and conv one side so you will know what you want by the shinny side. If I were taking a finish cut I would climb since it will pull the chip away from the surface and not push it into the surface.

 

HTH

[tonyc]

Thankyou crazy millman for the info

[Thee Starry™]

I too would normally climb cut acrylic in this case. But I have found, for some odd reason, that when I use anything larger than 3/8" tools it doesn't make as much of a difference. Never have figured out why that is, but it holds true a-lot of the time.

[ak762]

Anybody played with climb and conventional milling with ceramic inserters?

was any difference?

I open application guide "Heat Resistant Super Alloys" from Sandvik

they recommend conventional milling for ceramic

[Zoober]

Although my preference, be careful when climb cutting plastics, as sharp edges tend to chip on exit cuts. I always try to ramp off if possible.

[Dracbus]

I agree with crazy millman. If you are taking a full cut the only differance is what side you want a nice finish on. And in my experience plastics do tend to chip more while climp cutting if you do not have the proper lead out. As for the small endmills in our shop we believe if you convetional the endmill tends to flex towards a vertical wall and in many cases will undercut. Basically in most cases anything under 1/8 we try to climp cut. Not sure if thats entirely true in acrylic.

[tonyc]

THANKS EVERYONE

[wes_mcgee]

I didn't think compression bits were meant for acrylic? Are you trying to minimize the up or down force on the part?