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Machining ULTEM 1000


Hubz
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Greetings!

I'm looking for a bit of input. I've been working with ULTEM 1000 recently and have had some surface finish issues. All the tooling we are currently working with is carbide. I've read that HSS, and diamond tooling, produce a superior surface finish with this material. My employer is willing to purchase a limited amount of new tooling for this next project and I want to get the correct tools.

 

So, here's my question. Would it be better for me to purchase HSS, or diamond tooling? Also, if you've worked with this material before, any tips on feeds and speeds would be appreciated.

 

Looking forward to your thoughts.....and thank you in advance :)

 

-BC

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Greetings!

I'm looking for a bit of input. I've been working with ULTEM 1000 recently and have had some surface finish issues. All the tooling we are currently working with is carbide. I've read that HSS, and diamond tooling, produce a superior surface finish with this material. My employer is willing to purchase a limited amount of new tooling for this next project and I want to get the correct tools.

 

So, here's my question. Would it be better for me to purchase HSS, or diamond tooling? Also, if you've worked with this material before, any tips on feeds and speeds would be appreciated.

 

Looking forward to your thoughts.....and thank you in advance :)

 

-BC

 

Never worked with this material, but we've done a lot of Teflon, UHMW, nylon, etc. What works quite well are router bits.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Thanks for the help and ideas :) After doing speeds/feeds tests, I settled on the following;

 

side cutting - 1/2" carbide single flute router bit (new), 14,000/40, thru-tool coolant - I tried HSS and it chattered at all rpm's, switching to the additional weight of the carbide helped reduce and finally remove the chatter at higher rpm's.

 

finishing bottoms of grooves - 1/4" carbide 4-flute em(new) 3/4" loc, 15,000/40, thru-tool coolant - HSS left a beautiful finish along a 3" path only finishing the floor and removing .025"...then progressively/visibly dulled , but still pulled a nice chip. Taking the same path with the carbide, I was able to complete the cut (9" circ,, .400" slot) and another before noticing any surface dulling. I want to try diamond tooling....maybe next project :) HSS left the best finish though. If I had a small job to do, that's what I'd use....with a few spares too.

 

I hope that this info helps you on your next Ultem experience...hehe. I plan to keep playing with a few material samples I have, I will post the results.

 

-BC

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