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When mentioning CNC router, we usually think of processing acrylic and wood. Customers often ask whether CNC router machines can cut aluminum. “Yes, every CNC router machine can process aluminum.”

When it comes to processing other metals such as aluminum, most people think of professional high-end milling machines. But most CNC machines should be able to process aluminum well. The cutting and engraving of aluminum can be easily realized by selecting the spindle head and feed speed suitable for the material. At the same time, you will find that using aluminum CNC router processing not only saves time and effort, but also has high efficiency.

What is the best aluminum CNC router?

The milling cutter for processing aluminum is equipped with a special professional dressing system, using high-quality sub-micron cemented carbide, and has an ultra-highly polished cutting edge, which can achieve neat cutting and ensure the surface finish of the processed material. Extend the service life of CNC tools.

Some tips for using CNC router to cutting aluminum

I believe you are very familiar with CNC router cutting acrylic and wood, but how to use CNC router to cut aluminum? Here are 9 tips to share with you:

1.Fixing materials

Even if you cut very thin aluminum materials and perform very light cutting, the spindle and gantry still produce a lot of friction resistance, so it is very important to fix the material. Each part of the machine has its function and will bear a certain pressure, so you must strictly follow the instructions to operate the machine, equipment materials, milling machine and cutting tools.

In addition, the less the machine moves relative to the material, the better the effect and quality of the processed parts. Fixing the material is an essential step for processing any type of material, but it is especially important when cutting aluminum with a CNC milling machine. You should avoid unnecessary movement between the cutting tool and the material as much as possible.

2.Machining aluminum with special tools

Aluminum CNC router  are usually equipped with different tools, and some tools are not suitable for use with aluminum. The tools you need to machine aluminum should be made of aluminum only. This can help increase the rpm of the spindle to ensure that the spindle of the machine can meet the processing needs when running at high speeds.

3.Use smaller diameter tools

Use small diameter tools to increase speed. Reducing it to 1/4 can prevent deflection and reduce errors.

4.Drills with fewer grooves have better processing results

When cutting aluminum, a large amount of flying debris is generated, which is an unavoidable problem. However, we can use some accessories to leave more space between the cutting edges, so that the flying chips can be discharged in time and provide more blow-off space for the flying chips.

It is not easy to choose too many grooves. If you install 4 or more chip flutes and fail to clean them in time, the chips will block the chip flutes and cause the drill to break.

5.Mainly control the feed speed

If the feed speed is too fast at the beginning, the spindle will be worn, but too slow feed speed may cause friction on the tool and weaken the engraving effect. The spindle of the aluminum CNC router runs at high speed almost all the time. In order to ensure the processing effect, the milling cutter must be kept moving relatively fast.

6.Lubrication is recommended

In order to reduce the adhesion of flying chips on the tool, it is recommended to use a suitable lubricant to alleviate this phenomenon. If you want to cut small or very thin aluminum, you can choose not to use lubricants.