Cutting Aluminum (HAHAHA... SORRRRY)

[johnh]

I have some small aluminum sheet metal brackets that I have been having laser and waterjet cut. I'd like to move to making these in house now with the bot. They are made from either .050 or .063 mill finish aluminum sheet... whatever alloy Harbor Sales sells us.

I have little nitches in the edges of the profile to help me locate the bends and the bolt holes are about 3/16 diameter. Because of this, I'd like to use a .125" bit for it all.

I have had great success with cutting .040 with a 1/4" O Spiral but the 1/8" is a new thing to me.

Can anyone recommend me a particular bit, speed, and plunge depth, to use? I have a PRT with spindle and brady vac hold down. Crooked Iphone Pic attached, penny for scale reference.

Thank you very much!!

[donek]

We cut a 7075 alloy with an 1/8in accupro cutter at 1.2ips successfully. It is only .011in thick. I recently purchased some Onsrud Cutters and had loading problems with them. Onsrud suggested a faster feed speed, but I have not attempted this yet. I have used a lot of accupro cutters for aluminum very successfully. This was my first experience with the Onsrud. If I can cut at a faster rate, I will be pleased to reduce the cut time, but have concerns about being able to hold the material without it slipping.

If you are forming/bending your aluminum, it is most likely 5052 which machines very poorly. You will most likely need some sort of coolant/lubricant.

This is the bit we like:
http://www.mscdirect.com/product/76525765
actually that's the wrong one. I'll have to look at the package in the shop tomorrow.

[bearcat]

I'll had very good results dry cutting 5052 0.063" thick electronic box faceplate openings with a 1/8" Vortex 5609a bit.

Ed