So you guys here got me through my last major hurdle so I could actually use Mach3 on my new CNC mill. Back to ask another question.... This is more in line with milling itself.
I'm using Sheetcam to generate tool paths so I can cut patterns out of 1/16th" aluminum. Once I got my machine figured out, and actually got to cutting, I have a weird problem. (I have a manual mill and this doesn't happen on that one.)
What I'm getting, I'll call
'Mill dust' for lack of a better term. (Think saw dust) Anyway, On my other mill, the dust falls away or hops up on the piece I'm milling or generally, just stays out of the way. But on my CNC mill, using a 1/16th end mill. It not only doesn't get out of the way, it binds itself into the cut. And when I say bind, this is almost like welded in there. (I know it not a heat problem, the metal is ice cold) It binds so bad that even after a part is cut, i litterally have to pry it out. I posted a picture along with this post to give you a better idea of what I'm up against. The holes you see, are where I had to pry the little pieces out. The other 'holes' you can see the part is still stuck in there. This 'binding' has cost me two bits so far. I'll be going along cutting and then I hear that dreadful little *poink* that means I'm out another $15.00. I tried vacuuming the 'dust' while it was milling, but even with a mega shop vac, the binding still occurs. Ideas? Words of wisdom? Experience?
I'm luv'n this CNC jazz so far despite the setbacks!
A bad picture, but a good illustration of the issue. The line that suddenly ends there all mangled like, is where the end mill met it demise. As you can see, even thought the cut was all the way through, the 'dust' 'welded' its way right behind the end mill. Even when I take a piece out, this 'dust' of mine is very well attached to the cut out parts. Although, the hole is very clean...
Hep me!