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Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2023-10-18 Origin: Site
CNC (Computer Numerical Control) milling is the process of milling raw materials into products using computer-controlled machines. This makes cutting more efficient, easier and more accurate than "traditional", non-computer controlled practices. CNC milling is very common in the woodworking and wood products industry because of its high throughput, good repeatability and lower cost compared to traditional woodworking.
These properties of MDF make it a perfect candidate for CNC milling materials. It is easy to machine, uniform and consistent, and has a high finish. This, coupled with its relative inexpensiveness, is why many CNC machine enthusiasts turn to MDF substrates for a variety of creations: jigs and fixtures, vacuum-formed mold making, lettering and logo engraving, and more!
In this article, we'll cover the basics of MDF CNC machine milling, including some tips and tricks. Let's get started!
What is Medium Fiberboard? Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) is a flat synthetic product. It is used in a variety of industries, especially woodworking and cabinetmaking, because it is a stable and homogeneous material.
MDF is typically made from "waste" materials such as ground wood chips and sawdust that are mixed with glue and then subjected to high pressure and temperature. This creates the familiar boards you see in cabinets, beds, etc. Unlike wood, which is highly non-isotropic (meaning it has different strength properties in different directions), MDF is more uniform and can be considered isotropic. This property makes it easier to work with than real wood products because there is no need to consider the orientation of the board. In addition, while MDF itself is more sensitive to moisture than most woods, it can be primed and painted to make it more weather resistant.
In general, milling MDF is very similar to milling wood. This means that if you have experience milling wood, there is no real difficulty in starting to mill MDF. Likewise, if you are just starting CNC milling and have had good success with MDF, you will probably have good success with wood as well. Because of the wide variety of CNC mills and routers capable of milling MDF, the best machine parameters should be found and adjusted for the specific machine.
1、Speed and feed may be the most important aspect of CNC machine milling
2、The effect of end mills on the effect of CNC cutting machine cutting MDF
3、Cooling and lubrication is also a part of the CNC cutting machine work can not be ignored
Speed and feed may be the most important aspect of CNC machine milling. Spindle speed and tool feed speed determine the surface quality of the product, machining speed, heat buildup, tool life length, etc..
For MDF, like wood, higher spindle speeds produce better surface finish results. However, high RPM means that the end mill generates a lot of heat, so higher feed rates are also needed to avoid heat buildup that can cause the MDF to burn and damage the end mill. Assuming you're using a hobbyist CNC mill or router, a good starting point is a high RPM value (e.g., 75-100% of the machine's maximum RPM). You then need to find a feed rate that is neither too slow (leaving burnt edges on the MDF and overheating the end mill) nor too fast (damaging the end mill).
When using which end mill, two aspects should be considered: material and geometry.
Material
Regarding the material of the end mill, HSS (high speed steel) and carbide are usually chosen. While both materials can handle wood with ease, some of the adhesives and chemicals used to bond wood particles during the MDF manufacturing process can be quite abrasive. As a result, HSS end mills may lose their sharpness more quickly than carbide end mills, which are typically harder and less abrasive.
Geometry
For end mill geometry, the usual choices are upward cutting, downward cutting and straight flutes. What are the differences between them?
Reverse milling end mills are very common and, like conventional drills, direct chips onto the end mill and away from the material. When working with wood and MDF, this can lead to tearing and splitting of the upper surface of the workpiece.
Undercut end mills do the opposite: they push the chips along the end mill and into the material. This usually leaves a better surface finish on the workpiece, but can lead to a buildup of dust and chips around the end mill, which generates more heat. Higher stroke movement is required to avoid localized heat buildup.
Straight fluted end mills do not have any twist. They are usually cheaper and don't produce as much debris as counter milling end mills. They are also as efficient as other options in terms of possible feeds and speeds.
As mentioned above, the heat generated by milling MDF may damage the material or the end mill. In addition, sawdust buildup on the end mill and the material can increase friction and limit heat convection, thus further increasing the accumulation of heat.
Since MDF is quite sensitive to moisture, it is recommended not to use any type of liquid coolant during the milling process. Doing so may cause the MDF to swell and splinter, in addition to creating a mess that will leave MDF sawdust slush everywhere.
If available, use compressed air to clean and cool the path of travel of the end mill. Using a shop vacuum, or even a modified home vacuum, is also a good idea to remove unwanted debris and keep the material and end mill clean and cool. This will also save some cleanup time after the operation.
Shandong U-May CNC Technology Co., Ltd. was established in 2014 in Jinan, the capital of Shandong Province, China. It is one of the professional CNC machinery equipment manufacturers in China. Our company's main products include CNC milling machines, plasma cutting machines, laser cutting machines, laser engraving machines, etc. Our machines can be used to cut or engrave various materials, such as carbon steel, silicon steel, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, galvanized sheet, wood, MDF，acrylic, bamboo, jade, crystal, plastic, cloth, paper, leather, rubber, Metal or non-metal materials such as ceramics and glass.
