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Machining
thermoplastics |
| Cutting thermoplastics often requires a tighter
optimization of feeds and speeds than encountered in most other machining
operations. Problems encountered include poor swarf (cutting debris)
extraction, reattachment of cut material, melting, and part distortion.
In addition, the direction of cut (conventional
or
climb milling) can have a
profound effect on the final edge quality and dimensional fidelity.
The effects of these parameters can be somewhat mitigated by matching the
flute geometry to the shear requirements of the material being cut.
Nonetheless, accurate, reliable results can only be achieved by
considering the effect of every machining parameter and tuning each one
with respect to the other. If a high level of precision is required, the
same techniques used in zero-glue-line inlay
should be adopted. |
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The photomicrographs on the left dramatically demonstrate
the importance of optimizing spindle RPM (speed) , feed rate and cutter
geometry to the material being cut. The material in question is a
vacuum formable thermoplastic used in the manufacture of medical
appliances. Although cut with a sharp new tool (as shown by the clean,
square edge profiles), there was enough mismatch between the material
properties, feed, speed and/or cutter geometry that significant amounts of
the material being cut melted and flowed into the filigree ribbons shown
growing from the external edges of the part. Burrs of this type are
usually the result of the generation of excessive heat combined with poor
swarf extraction during a machining operation.
Machining parameters:
- Feed - 36 in./min. (914 mm/min.)
- Speed - 27,000 RPM
- Cut direction - conventional
- Cutter - 1.5 mm dia. 2 flute, up-cut
- Depth of cut - 0.8 mm
A spindle speed of 27KRPM, with a feed rate of 36 in./min. (although
a bit low) should have produced a smooth, clean, burr-free cut in this
type of material. The formation of the melted burrs is a pretty
good indicator that either the bit was very dull or the flute geometry
was tuned for a much harder material (e.g. brass or silver).
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| A reasonable facsimile to the edge quality
and burr formation was achieved with a 1/16 in. (1.59 mm) 2 flute
soft media cutter (MM208-0625-031F).
Machining parameters:
- Feed - 5 in./min. (127 mm/min.)
- Speed - 27,500 RPM
- Cut direction - conventional
- Cutter - 1.59 mm dia. 2 flute, up-cut
- Depth of cut - 0.8 mm
As can be see in the photomicrographs to the right, significant burr
formation has occurred as a result of melting and reattachment of
cutting debris.
This test cut was made using a high-shear bit optimized for cutting
plastics. The flute geometry matches the material shear
requirements so well that it was necessary to slow the feed down to a
crawl to inhibit swarf extraction and initiate melting and reattachment
of the cut material.
This is a good place to point out that, more often than not, a high
feed rate is better than a low one when cutting materials that melt.
You can think of the flutes of a rotary cutter as constituting a spiral
screw pump (Archimedes screw). As the bit rotates and moves forward, new material is
cut, forcing previously cut debris up the flutes and out of the kerf
(slot). If the feed rate is too low, the debris stays in the
flutes too long, gets hot, melts, and re-adheres to the parent stock.
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| The two sets of photos below, when contrasted
with the samples above, clearly demonstrate that increasing the feed rate
can virtually eliminate burr formation. With the reduction of heat, the
edge quality significantly improves as does the accuracy of the cut.
Although the final test was run at 30 in./min., an evaluation of the
stress on the cutter indicates that feed rates in excess of 100 in./min.
could be used on this material with no impact on edge quality or cutter life (assuming that
the CNC system is rigid enough to sustain
such feed rates). |
click on
thumbnails
to enlarge |
Machining parameters:
- Feed - 10 in./min. (254 mm/min.)
- Speed - 27,500 RPM
- Cut direction - conventional
- Cutter - 1.59 mm dia. 2 flute, up-cut
- Depth of cut - 0.8 mm
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Machining parameters:
- Feed - 30 in./min. (762 mm/min.)
- Speed - 27,500 RPM
- Cut direction - conventional
- Cutter - 1.59 mm dia. 2 flute, up-cut
- Depth of cut - 0.8 mm
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click on
thumbnails
to enlarge |
| As shown above, for a given spindle RPM (speed) and cutter
geometry, the edge quality achieved when machining thermoplastics depends
heavily on feed rate. Generally speaking, the faster you go (higher feed
rate) the better. Extensive testing has shown that the best feed rate , in
terms of edge quality and cutter life, for most of these materials is only
25% lower than the feed rate at which the tool breaks. |
Machining parameters
- How you cut and shape thermoplastics depends a great deal on what kind
of material you are dealing with. Determining a comprehensive
cutting strategy is virtually impossible because the properties that
most affect machinability (e.g. melting point, hardness and abrasiveness)
can vary all over the map. Generally speaking you will need to use a
cutting tool with a high-shear flute geometry, lots of flute volume (1
or 2 flute tools work best), and a high enough helix angle to insure
fast, efficient chip removal.
Recommended total
chip loads (TCL) for selected materials are listed below. The
table below assumes that you are plunging the bit one bit diameter deep per machining pass (NR = Not Recommended). However, your best strategy is to
determine the optimum material machining parameters on your own
equipment using our
Microtool
Sweet Spot Test. This test will work for most tools cutting a wide range of material. |
| Total Chip
Loads (in./rev) |
Cutter
Diameter |
| Material |
0.0313 |
0.0469 |
0.0625 |
0.0938 |
0.1250 |
| Teflon© (1 flute) |
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| ABS (2 flute) |
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| polyethylene (LDPE, 2 flute) |
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| polyethylene (HDPE, 2 flute) |
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| polypropylene |
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| PVC (2 flute) |
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| Plexiglass© (2 flute) |
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| Lexan© (2 flute) |
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| polycarbonate (2 flute) |
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****Depth of Cut = 1 bit diameter per pass |
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