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Thread: HDPE bit help 1/8 or 1/2?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
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    Texas
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    36

    Default HDPE bit help 1/8 or 1/2?

    HDPE Help?

    I'm working on a project in HDPE. It's .187 thick & I need to cut about 60 full depth pockets in it that measure 1.5 x 1.2. The only bits I have are 1/8" o-flute upcut(Onsrud 65-012) & a 1/2" low helix 2-flute bit for plastics (Vortex 4260). From what I've calculated, if I use the 1/8" bit the machine time is around 7 hours. The 1/2" is around 14 minutes, but at 500IPM. I have an Alpha Buddy, but I've just never cut anything like HDPE, especially that fast. The 1/8" numbers I am using are 60ipm @ 12k rpm & a cut depth of 0.05. The 1/2", I'm using 500IPM @ 9k rpm at 0.1 depth. Any ideas or suggestions?

    Thanks
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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
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    cnc routing, portland or
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    3,633

    Default

    you can do that depth in one pass with either bit. 60ipm full depth with the 1/8" is fine it is soft it wants to grab bits a bit so the parts want to move. usually I leave a onion skin on the part it is the only practial way to keep it in palce when you cut through. it is easy to clean up with a knife.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    MA
    Posts
    610

    Default

    I cut that stuff every week. I always onion skin it so the parts stay put. I use a deburring tool to make a nice clean edge on it when I'm done.

    For feeds and speeds to with that 1/2" but. Do 18k RPM, full depth per pass, at 225 IPM and you should see good speed and quality. Using that 1/8" bit is nuts, that'll take forever!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
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    Texas
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    Default

    Will try that... Thanks.. Climb or conventional?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2014
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    MA
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    I do climb. The stuff I do is production so it's usually to passes through 1/2" HDPE in the climb direction. If you wanted to clean it up nice if this is a one off, maybe do a pass climb with a bit of an offset, and then come back in reverse (conventional) and take a few thousandths off.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
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    Brooklet, Ga
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    187

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    Did the inside profile toolpath not work that I recommended on the Facebook group page?
    2006 PRTalpha 96x48
    3hp SEV spindle
    Vcarve Pro8
    Always eager to consume large amounts of info, tips, and techniques!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    36

    Default

    Sorry for the delay.. Yes those feeds & speeds worked great!! Thanks for the help on it.. After a little cleanup, looks perfect.


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