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Feed rate on Micromill
Posted: Wed 09 Mar , 2011 12:02 pm
by RNR107
Hi,
Anybody could tell me what feed should I use on a micromill when machining plastic and aluminium?
I did not want to overload the little machine, so I got it set up at 5mm/s but it takes a really long time... could I set it higher?
Ta,
Laurent
Re: Feed rate on Micromill
Posted: Wed 09 Mar , 2011 12:52 pm
by Denford Admin
300mm/min is probably about right.
I think the maximum would normally be 600mm but it'll all depend on cutter diameter and spindle speed.
I'd just experiment and set it to around 500mm/min and then you can override the feed up and down until it cuts nicely
Re: Feed rate on Micromill
Posted: Wed 09 Mar , 2011 13:03 pm
by RNR107
OK, 300mm/min that's 5mm/s so I was about right

Will experiment up to 500 to see if it is any better or worse...
The cutter I am using is 2mm in diameter with 2 flutes.
Thank you,
Laurent
Re: Feed rate on Micromill
Posted: Wed 09 Mar , 2011 14:57 pm
by Steve
With a small cutter of 2mm you only have a slow surface speed. I would be thinking of a feedrate nearer 80 - 100mm / Min. for Aluminium and up to 300mm in Plastic.
The best thing to do is program a higher feed and turn down the feed pot until it sounds right. You may be able to run faster if you reduce the depth of cut.
With a 2mm cutter if you go too fast or deep you will end up breaking the cutter.