So my shop lies right on the other side of a wall with a bunch of software programmers, and apparently they've finally gotten a little fed up with the noise (It's been a little over a year since the company started this shop).
I've been tasked with the challenge of being compassionate, and "toning things down". I could say I am frustrated, because that's the sweet sound of making money. Although in reality if they think it's worth it to keep the software guys happy at the cost of cycle time, that's up to them.
So, I've gone through and figured what my noisiest tools are, and their general speeds/ feeds that they run.
The machines are 2 VF-3ss that have the 12k spindle, and often times find themselves roughing at the same time, and according to my phone's sound meter app, we're above 85 Db most of the time.
All of these speeds and feeds are for aluminum:
1/2 inch 3 flute endmill, 12k RPM, and .003-4 per tooth, roughing, or finishing. Typically no more than .2 DOC if using a traditional pocket routine or about 40% step-over in HSM toolpaths.
3/4 Inch 3 flute endmill, 11k RPM, and .007-8 per tooth, roughing with a HSM toolpath at 60% step-over. (this one is particularly loud)
1/2 inch 3 flute endmill, from Iscar, (ISCAR Cutting Tools - Metal Working Tools - MM ERA : 5622747 - MM ERA.500B31R008-3T08) This sucker runs at 12k and .009 per tooth, often times slotting and contouring at maximum depth.
All of those are real loud, and I imagine that's just the nature of the iscar tool. But if there's any insight out there to quiet it up, from a toolpath point of view, while keeping the cycle as short as possible, I'd love to hear it.
I've been tasked with the challenge of being compassionate, and "toning things down". I could say I am frustrated, because that's the sweet sound of making money. Although in reality if they think it's worth it to keep the software guys happy at the cost of cycle time, that's up to them.
So, I've gone through and figured what my noisiest tools are, and their general speeds/ feeds that they run.
The machines are 2 VF-3ss that have the 12k spindle, and often times find themselves roughing at the same time, and according to my phone's sound meter app, we're above 85 Db most of the time.
All of these speeds and feeds are for aluminum:
1/2 inch 3 flute endmill, 12k RPM, and .003-4 per tooth, roughing, or finishing. Typically no more than .2 DOC if using a traditional pocket routine or about 40% step-over in HSM toolpaths.
3/4 Inch 3 flute endmill, 11k RPM, and .007-8 per tooth, roughing with a HSM toolpath at 60% step-over. (this one is particularly loud)
1/2 inch 3 flute endmill, from Iscar, (ISCAR Cutting Tools - Metal Working Tools - MM ERA : 5622747 - MM ERA.500B31R008-3T08) This sucker runs at 12k and .009 per tooth, often times slotting and contouring at maximum depth.
All of those are real loud, and I imagine that's just the nature of the iscar tool. But if there's any insight out there to quiet it up, from a toolpath point of view, while keeping the cycle as short as possible, I'd love to hear it.