Turning aluminium

[Carl Wilson 4Participant @carlwilson4]

Greetings. Some advice please. I’m sure this has been asked before so won’t waste too much of your time.

I’m turning a large diameter (150mm) piece of 6082 T6 bar. I’m getting long, spiral stringy chips that are jamming up the tool every so often.

I’m using SCLCR inserts set at centre height. Does anyone have any tips to improve my chips?

[Carl Wilson 4Participant @carlwilson4]

[Anonymous]

Aaaargh, birdnests, you're getting a really great finish on aluminium and then the swarf tangles up, gets trapped, and badgers the finish. Been there, done that.

The SCLCR code is for a toolholder rather than for inserts? The CCGT inserts for aluminium in SCLCR holders work well, but to get proper chip breaking you need to be running at high feedrates. Try a feedrate of 8 to 10 thou per rev. If you get the feedrate correct the swarf should curl towards the front of the tool, in the direction of cutting, and break into small pieces.

Andrew

[Carl Wilson 4Participant @carlwilson4]

Sorry Andrew and Chaps/Chapesses, forgot to say I’m using CCMT inserts.

Used these before on ally and was OK but maybe I just got lucky. My feed rate is pretty quick but I will increase it. I will try the inserts you suggest as well. Thanks!

[Clive HartlandParticipant @clivehartland94829]

This is HE 30 grade and you need a higher speed and a chip breaker and I find an HS tool with a good back rake better. Depth of cut by testing and of course use a coolant as it can get hot!

Edited By Clive Hartland on 15/07/2017 12:28:51

[Carl Wilson 4Participant @carlwilson4]

Yup.Understand the grades etc. Just ordered some CCGT inserts from APT in Glasgow, my usual go to. Will try them next week when I’m back from hols. Well, going to see the outlaws….

[John ReeseParticipant @johnreese12848]

In general, if the chips don't break increase the feed rate.

[Carl Wilson 4Participant @carlwilson4]

Cheers for that. Going to do that once I’m back from the outlaws.

[Author]

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