Aluminum slot

[TF Leeson]

I have some .375 thick  6061 aluminum plates 31.3x24.5 that need drilled and a slot milled on one end. The slot is 3.3x7.1 and I have to use contour at full WOC to mill the slot as a cutout (its all our jig for this job will allow). the only cutter I have available for aluminum in the shop currently is a 1/2 3 flute carbide TiCN coated endmill for aluminum. I am curious as to what I could get away with for speed and feed, time is of the essence on this job. Workholding isn't a problem. The plate is clamped well, and so Is the loose piece produced by the cutout. Any info helps as I have very little experience machining aluminum. parts will be done on a Haas vf-9/50. Any suggestions regarding cutters would be great too, the owner is open to spending some money on the right tools as long as it in the right place.

 

Thanks, jeff
 

[#Rekd™]

Contour ramp. Call the manufacturer of the cutter and ask them for recommended speeds and feeds for the material you are cutting.

[jlw™]

IMCO streaker and let it eat.

[jeff]

TiCN for aluminum?

Uncoated/Bright finish is ideally what you want.

I don't know how beefy your machine is, but I'd run it max rpm, full depth and whatever feed you can get away with.

 

$50 is a good price for these if you are able to convince the powers that be to buy one.

http://www.lakeshorecarbide.com/12squareendvariablefluteendmillforaluminumzrn.aspx

[jlw™]

This one:

 

http://www.imcousa.com/EndMills/ByProductFamily/Streakers/M203/M203-SQ?filters=154dd437-ad4b-e211-bc05-3ef57b705d26&sortby=7&page=1&pageSize=30&criteria=

[TF Leeson]

TiCN for aluminum?

Uncoated/Bright finish is ideally what you want.

I don't know how beefy your machine is, but I'd run it max rpm, full depth and whatever feed you can get away with.

 

$50 is a good price for these if you are able to convince the powers that be to buy one.

http://www.lakeshorecarbide.com/12squareendvariablefluteendmillforaluminumzrn.aspx

7500 rpm available. I will get one and give it a try. Thanks!

[TF Leeson]

This one:

 

http://www.imcousa.com/EndMills/ByProductFamily/Streakers/M203/M203-SQ?filters=154dd437-ad4b-e211-bc05-3ef57b705d26&sortby=7&page=1&pageSize=30&criteria=

ill get one of them to try as well. thanks!

[JAMMAN]

I've got some streakers on the way on a recommendation from several people.

[JAMMAN]

It's cutting, and not breaking lol. Considering it is out of the tool holder almost 2" and it is only 1/4 in diameter I'm already impressed.