Cutting Aircraft Grade Aluminum

This forum is for general discussion about Aspire
Post Reply
TimSchubach
Vectric Apprentice
Posts: 90
Joined: Tue Mar 19, 2013 4:41 am
Model of CNC Machine: CNC Shark HD MAKO
Location: Miamisburg, Ohio
Contact:

Cutting Aircraft Grade Aluminum

Post by TimSchubach »

I have a friend who needs to cut a fair amount of aircraft grade aluminum ( 6061T6 ). He has a head start on it, but he's been cutting all by hand. I'd like to be able to some cutting for him on my CNC, but I have never cut metal before and don't know anything about the tooling required for something like this.

Can anyone tell me if this can be done, and if so, what kind of tooling would be required?

TIA,
Tim

User avatar
martin54
Vectric Archimage
Posts: 7332
Joined: Fri Nov 09, 2012 2:12 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Gerber 48, Triac PC, Isel fixed gantry
Location: Kirkcaldy, Scotland

Re: Cutting Aircraft Grade Aluminum

Post by martin54 »

Tim try a search on the forum as it is something that gets asked quite often so there is already quite a bit of info on cutting Aluminium.
Simple answer is yes it is something that can be done, good chip extraction is very important & feeds & speeds are not quite so forgiving as they are for wood so have a bit of a practice to get things set up on a bit of scrap :lol: :lol:

Mobius
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 413
Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2014 1:19 am
Model of CNC Machine: CRP Pro 4848 Custom Build
Location: Drumheller, Alberta, Canada
Contact:

Re: Cutting Aircraft Grade Aluminum

Post by Mobius »

I've recently gotten into it. I use 'Aluminum Spiral O Single Flute" bits from Amana Tools (ToolsToday), and they work well. For me I like to keep it at 0.02" DOC and about 40-50IPM @ 16k RPM. No coolant or anything; the bit stays cool and it makes a nice clean cut with well defined chips.
Connor Bredin
Distinctive Dimensional Concepts Ltd.
www.distinctive-concepts.ca

plcamp
Vectric Craftsman
Posts: 103
Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2012 4:40 am
Model of CNC Machine: Home built wooden machine - Mach3/Aspire
Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana

Re: Cutting Aircraft Grade Aluminum

Post by plcamp »

6061 machines clean when using the 0-flute cutter. Speed and feed are key, just keep an eye on the chip because of running it dry.

ger21
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 1592
Joined: Sun Sep 16, 2007 2:59 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Custom DIY
Location: Lake St Clair, MI, USA
Contact:

Re: Cutting Aircraft Grade Aluminum

Post by ger21 »

Your machine's rigidity has a lot to do with how easy it'll be to cut, and the quality of the cuts.

As mentioned, an "O" flute is the way to go. If you can keep the chips cleared, it'll cut OK dry, but spraying WD40 on the cuts will increase cut quality, and reduce the chance of chips sticking to the tool, which can quickly result in broken bits if it happens.
Gerry - http://www.thecncwoodworker.com

John Murphy
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 678
Joined: Thu Jan 15, 2009 1:08 am
Model of CNC Machine: AXYZ 5010
Location: Maryhill Ontario Canada
Contact:

Re: Cutting Aircraft Grade Aluminum

Post by John Murphy »

I cut a lot of aluminum, but I have a Unist mister attached to my carriage. If you plan on cutting aluminum on a regular basis, it's worth it to invest in a misting system, or build one for yourself.
You don't need allot of lubrication, but it will help in both cutting and surface finish.
John

Oldmanofgf
Posts: 47
Joined: Tue Mar 10, 2015 11:54 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Probiotix meteor 26x50
Location: Glenns Ferry, idaho

Re: Cutting Aircraft Grade Aluminum

Post by Oldmanofgf »

I use Rapid Tap cutting fluid it work well just put a little on the piece that you are cutting.I agree that a mister is best if you are cutting aluminum a lot
Glenn

TimSchubach
Vectric Apprentice
Posts: 90
Joined: Tue Mar 19, 2013 4:41 am
Model of CNC Machine: CNC Shark HD MAKO
Location: Miamisburg, Ohio
Contact:

Re: Cutting Aircraft Grade Aluminum

Post by TimSchubach »

Thanks everyone for your replies. I'm not planning on making this a habit, so as this may be a one-time-deal I wasn't planning on looking into a misting system. But I'll definitely look into the bits mentioned, and probably some WD40.

Tim

Post Reply