End Mill Comparisons in CFRP, Part 1 - Carbide Tool
Video shows the performance of coated carbide, diamond-coated, PCD and veined PCD tools in carbon fiber reinforced plastic. Part one in a four-part series.
Smith MegaDiamond Inc. and Star Cutter Company compared the performance of various end mills in carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). The tools tested included a coated carbide end mill, a diamond-coated end mill, a conventional PCD end mill with straight flutes, and a “veined” PCD end mll featuring a vein of PCD within a helical slot in a carbide tool body.
The table below summarizes the test parameters. Shown here is the video of a 30-degree helical coated carbide tool. Jeff Michael, engineering manager for Star Cutter, comments, “The sound is pretty good for this cutter. It appears to be cutting well until the second pass, where there are visible uncut fibers after just a few feet of cutting.”
To see the next video in this testing, click here.
|
Tool Type |
|||
Ø .500 in. |
Solid Carbide |
CVD Diamond |
PCD |
Veined PCD |
Flute angle |
30° helical |
10° helical |
7° skew |
30° helical |
Spindle speed (rpm) |
3,000 |
4,600 |
12,000 |
18,000 |
Chip load (in./tooth) |
0.0035 |
0.0035 |
0.001 |
0.0065 |
Machine advance (in./min.) |
42 |
64 |
36 |
470 |
Radial depth (in.) |
.050 |
.050 |
.050 |
.050 |
Cutting speeds and feed rates were recommended parameters from each tool’s manufacturer.
Editor’s note: To read the next part in the series, click here.
Related Content
-
Ceratizit's Updated Tooling Solutions Improve Machining Performance
The company has upgraded its EcoCut indexable inserts lineup, as well as introduced two new toolholding and workholding solutions.
-
Widia Introduces Solid End Mill for Shoulder and Side Milling
The WCE solid end milling series features a five-flute geometry specifically designed for optimal performance when shoulder milling and side milling carbon, stainless steel and cast iron.
-
Tungaloy Expands Line of Barrel-Shaped End Mills
The new SolidMeister barrel end mills are efficient tools for complex 3D-surfacing operations used in mold making, orthopedic implants and the machining of other freeform surfaces.