Cutting Aluminum on a CNC - epsiode 200

Aluminium and I have never got along. I never had much luck machining it and even when successful I haven't enjoyed the experience one little bit. But sometimes you just need to roll up your sleeves, bolt some on the table and go for it. This is one of those times and this is how I got on.
I used to opportunity to try different machining strategies and I share a few of my findings.

Conclusion
I hate machining Aluminium and will continue to avoid it. The mess it makes is hard to clean up and I don't want to vacuum it up as little bits on metal in my vacuum does nothing for me.
I would like a mill one day but that isn't going to happen anytime soon. 
The box I built with the plastic to covet the table was well worth the effort.


Best machining parameters I found for my machine.
Your machine will almost certainly require different settings but these are a good starting point.


Roughing pass
Depth of Cut 1mm  
Feed rate 30ipm
Speed 8000rpm
3 Flute 6mm cutter
Stepover 30% 
Offset machining

Finishing pass
Depth of Cut 0.1mm  
Feed rate 30ipm
Speed 8000rpm
3 Flute 6mm cutter
Stepover 5%
Offset machining 

Engraving
Plunge rate 5ipm
Feed rate 10ipm
Speed 10000rpm
Solid Carbide 90 degree Vbit 3mm diameter
VCarving



Lubrication
I used CRC CDT cutting fluid but I also found it seemed to cut OK without lube. All my final cuts were done using lube to try and get the best finish as was the VCarving.
The lube did have the advantage of binding the swarf together and stopping it flying around the workshop. If it does get on your MDF table clean it up as the lube will soak into the MDF if left.


But what is it?
Over the Christmas New Year I started working on a problem I had and how it coud be solved. This is what I came up with but you will have to wait for the next episode to fine out. I assure you it will be worth the wait.

Thanks for watching and until next time.

Cheers
Peter