Machining Magnetic Controllers
Fluxtrol materials are composites made of metal powder and plastic binders, and their machinability is between plastics and metals. Fluxtrol materials are strong in compression with less strength in tension or bending loads. Different grades of Fluxtrol materials require different technique for the best results. Ferrotron 559H is closer to plastics while Fluxtrol A and 100 are more similar to light metals although they are more brittle.
General machining practice must be used for different machining operations – blade and band saw cutting, milling, turning, drilling, grinding. CNC machining is recommended. Water jet cutting may be effectively used when possible. For each material it is recommended to establish optimal regimes of machining on samples before producing multiple parts.
General guidelines for machining:
- Handle materials with care. For milling and grinding, the material may be held on magnetic table by magnetic forces. Be careful when clamping material in lathe and vise. Too high applied force can cause marks/defects on the surface the part or even break it.
- Different grades of metal cutting tools (cutters, mill and drill bits) may be used for machining Fluxtrol materials. High Speed Steel tools give good results. Tools with Tungsten Carbide inserts and tools with TiN or AlTiN coating are the premium cutters with excellent performance.
- Tools must have sharp cutting edges. Dull tools will result in slow cutting, material burns and creation of hot chips “sparks” that can ignite smoldering fire in dust collection areas.
- Though machining may be performed without any cooling, the air cooling of a cutting tool is beneficial allowing the user to increase machining speed and remove chips and dust from the cutting zone. Liquid cooling allows increase of cutting speed and improve surface quality.
- see Safety tips and fire precautions
Bandsaw Cutting
- Bandsaw may be used for straight and curved cuts
- Be sure that the band blade is sharp and free of pitch and stain
- Don’t use the bandsaw designed tor cutting wood. Fluxtrol material will quickly make the woodworking blade dull
- Dull blade cuts slower and produces hot particles which can cause smoldering fire of the dust collection; see Safety tips and fire precautions
Drilling
- Control exit of chips or curls from the channels in a drill bit.
- Back and fourth movement of the tool (plunging) helps you to avoid clogging of channels and damage (breaking) of the part.
- Pilot hole drilling is strongly recommended for drilling big holes.
- When using drilling press, install the part on a hard plastic or wooden pad in order to avoid chipping of the edges in the exit area.
- see Safety tips and fire precautions
Grinding
- Be sure that the part is firmly hold by magnetic table
- Take additional measures to keep it firm if necessary
- Check that there is no smoldering of dust in collection tray caused by landing of hot particles (“sparks”).
- see Safety tips and fire precautions
Milling
- Use sharp cutting tools. Tools with general purpose TiN coating are recommended for long life time.
- Adjust spindle speed and surface feed rate as needed to prevent chipping.
- Multiple passes are preferred versus heavy depths of cuts due to the nature of Fluxtrol materials.
- Plunge milling is recommended for precise machining.
- Parts with thin walls (less that 1 mm) may be produced with proper machining technique
- Reducing feed rate at the end of a cut will lower the risk of edge chipping
- see Safety tips and fire precautions
Turning
- Clamp material in the lathe carefully. Too high applied force can cause marks/defects on the part surface or even break the part
- Use sharp cutters. TiN coated or Tungsten Carbide cutters are recommended for long reliable service
- Removed material (chips) may be in the form of curls, flakes or dust depending on the material type and operating conditions.
- see Safety tips and fire precautions
WaterjetCutting
- Adjust water pressure; too high water pressure can cause material delamination when cutting Fluxtrol A