Cutting Aluminum Sheet With Cnc Router

The cnc router has a work table covering an area of 300 mm x 200 mm.

Cutting aluminum sheet with cnc router.

Firstly aluminum is a weak and sticky metal which tends to stick on to the cutting tool leaving gummy metal deposits on the cutting edges. Processes shown include drilling pocket machining and profile cut. To begin with cutting aluminum using a cnc router has its complexities as compared to cutting plastic or wood with it. Aluminum machining on a cnc router is not glamorous.

Without an enclosure chips literally fly everywhere. The cutting parameters and quality of cut will depend a lot on how rigid your machine is. Here pros discuss the considerations involved and the alternatives. This is a small unit that can work wonders in a cottage industry or even your workshop.

Cnc router aluminum sheet work is different than cnc routers cutting aluminum plate. The bits move in all three axes and can cut a hole up to 50 mm depth. He shows the jig he use. Question is it practical to cut aluminum 6061 t6 on any type of router.

This video shows the axyz cnc router machining 5051 aluminum tool plate 0 5 thick with a 3 16 diameter router bit. We also found that a healthy dose of wd 40 keeps the cutter from chattering and thus improves life of the tool and quality of the cut surfaces. We now know that alcohol not beer is a better option than wd 40. Sheet size would be 4 x 10 with a thickness of 1 4 1 2.

There s a world of difference for a cnc router cutting thin aluminum sheet vs a cnc router cutting thicker aluminum plate. Small hobby routers and the big 100k machines are very different. If you push it too fast you might actually be able to see your machine flex under the load if not rattle loose. Aluminum spiral solid carbide router bits by amana feature outstanding tool longevity a tendency to stay sharper mirror like carbide finish excellent carbide brazing a broad selection of sizes and most importantly quality of cut.

Aluminum needs a lot more rigidity that wood or plastic. Cutting sheet aluminum on a cnc router aluminum plate can be machined on cnc equipment designed for wood.