Pro/Forums - View Single Post - Suggested CNC machine parameters for copper

KyuZo · 12-17-2003, 07:09 AM

I'm planning on using a small CNC machine (Roland Camm2) to make the copper base plate for a waterblock and I'm wondering about what kind of machine parameters to use.

The software that comes with the machine has a number of suggested parameters for different materials (Wood, Wax, Plaster, Aluminium, Brass etc.) but none for copper.

The parameters for Brass and Aluminium are actually identicle:

Z speed (mm/sec) : 1.0
Z step (inch) : 0.002
XY speed (mm/sec): 6.0
Path spacing (inch): 0.047
Fine margin (inch) : 0.002

Just for comparison here's the parameters for Acrylic:

Z speed (mm/sec) : 4.0
Z step (inch) : 0.006
XY speed (mm/sec): 6.0
Path spacing (inch): 0.047
Fine margin (inch) : 0.005

I'm using a 2mm drill bit.

The machine supports spindle rotation speeds from 5000 rpm to 15000 rpm.

It mentions "It is only possible to machine metal with great care. Only relatively soft free machining metals should be used for milling, and the CAMM 2 must be set to very slow feedrates and small depths of cut" in the documentation.

Any feedback or suggestions for parameters that could be used to machine copper would be much appreciated.

12-17-2003, 07:09 AM	#1
KyuZo Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: UK Posts: 19	Suggested CNC machine parameters for copper I'm planning on using a small CNC machine (Roland Camm2) to make the copper base plate for a waterblock and I'm wondering about what kind of machine parameters to use. The software that comes with the machine has a number of suggested parameters for different materials (Wood, Wax, Plaster, Aluminium, Brass etc.) but none for copper. The parameters for Brass and Aluminium are actually identicle: Z speed (mm/sec) : 1.0 Z step (inch) : 0.002 XY speed (mm/sec): 6.0 Path spacing (inch): 0.047 Fine margin (inch) : 0.002 Just for comparison here's the parameters for Acrylic: Z speed (mm/sec) : 4.0 Z step (inch) : 0.006 XY speed (mm/sec): 6.0 Path spacing (inch): 0.047 Fine margin (inch) : 0.005 I'm using a 2mm drill bit. The machine supports spindle rotation speeds from 5000 rpm to 15000 rpm. It mentions "It is only possible to machine metal with great care. Only relatively soft free machining metals should be used for milling, and the CAMM 2 must be set to very slow feedrates and small depths of cut" in the documentation. Any feedback or suggestions for parameters that could be used to machine copper would be much appreciated.