1/4 inch milling cutter loading with aluminum t6061

[dansawyer]

I am using a cnc mill with a 1/4 inch hss cutter. The spindle is running at 1000 rpm and the feed rate is about 20 inches per minute. Assuming I can clear the cutter can someone reccomend an rpm and feed rate for a 1/4 inch cutter in aluminum?

 

[Aukai]

Fly cutter, end mill cutter, what kind of cutter? I'm assuming an end mill type, how many flutes?

 

[dansawyer]

4 flute end mill

 

[Aukai]

A normal milling calculator is saying 2500, but I would think you need a lot of lube to keep the flute clear. I'm guessing with CNC you are turning faster, No 2 flute available?

 

[dansawyer]

No I do not have a 2 flute. Would it help if I increased the feed to 20 or 30 ipm?

 

[Larry$]

I'm not where I can look it up right now but Machinery Handbook has all the info you need, Use a 2 flute for aluminum & the shortest end mill that will do the job. rpm & feed rate are related to give chip load. 1000rpm seems really slow. So does your feed rate.. Use cutting fluid to prevent chip welding. We run a 3/8" @16,000rpm. I don't remember the feed rate, several hundred "/min. 12hp spindle. If you are running a low power machine, keep your chip load high enough to carry away the heat. Best to just look up the recommended rates. Tooling companies may have that on line.

 

[mmcmdl]

Use a 2 flute and crank it up , way up ! Throw some kerosene on it if neccessary.

 

[7milesup]

https://littlemachineshop.com/mobile/speeds_feeds.php

 

[7milesup]

https://www.custompartnet.com/calculator/milling-speed-and-feed

 

[Janderso]

13,000?
Worlds of difference between our manual machines and the high tech CNC multi axis production machines.
In my manual world, WD-40 has been magic sauce for reducing chip loading on aluminum