Mdf speeds

[RSP]

I have a shopbot standard, I'm cutting a 4'11" x 3" piece with a bunch of 51/64" (20.1mm) holes and some 1.5" (38.1mm) grooves. The material is MDF and the Depth of the material is 1/2". Everything is going through the material. Please help.

I would like to know what RPM's, Feed Rate (in/sec), and plunge rate should be?

What type of bit should i use?

Thank you for your time.

[dlcw]

I cut hundreds of sheets of 1/2" MDF a year with a 1/4" down spiral. Each bit seems to be good for about 25 sheets, then into the carbide recycle bin it goes.

First pass is a climb cut, cutting .47" into the material at 5IPS @ 10K RPM, 3IPS plunge and leaves a 1/32" skin. Second pass is a conventional cut at 5IPS @ 10K RPM, 3IPS cutting 1/32" thru the MDF. This process puts me EXACTLY on my lines.

For hole drilling, I use boring bits at 6K RPM at 1.5IPS plunge. You can get boring bits from Toolstoday.com for about any size you can want. You will need a 10mm collet to hold those bits though.

[RSP]

Thank you so much.

[RSP]

Can i use a regular bit for the holes since this is a one time job? if so what speeds?

[RSP]

Its an inch thick

[adrianm]

If you use an inside profile cut with a spiral ramp that should be fine for the holes.

[RSP]

I also nee to graze the serface with a 1/8" bit plunging only .025" into the material for the name? What should i use for speeds here.

[Kyle Stapleton]

How large is the text?
16000 at 2ips will be fine.