Posted: 11/1/2015 11:32:32 AM EDT
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Anyone here have experience working with copper? We are going to quote 10,000 parts made with class 3 copper but neither me or my brother have ever machined it.
Is it gummy? Are ceramic inserts needed? |
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There was a 2-3 page thread about machining copper a couple of months ago. Good info in there.
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_1_5/1792457_Machining_copper_.html&light=Copper |
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Pure copper takes a lot of strain to work harden, this makes dead soft annealed copper gummy and nasty to work with. Also, it likes to gall to nearly any tool so proper cutting lube is a must. Carbide? What do you use to attach carbide to the tool? Braze material containing copper..so no luck with carbide dry. This work hardening effect also means proper cutter geometry plus correct feed/speed. Like 300 series stainless (which also has a good deal of work hardening effect). Brass is a totally different animal due to the zinc content which prevents galling..zinc acts as an extreme pressure lube and causes chip breakage, much like lead in leaded steel. 10k pieces? Invest in proper tooling. |
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Quoted: We have machined lots of brass, that cuts great. These copper parts are 1/2 hex stock. .75 long with 3/8 16 thread turned. If we can get it, it could lead to 80-100k parts a year. |
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Quoted:
This is class 2 copper. Using Trim SOL for collant <a href="http://s542.photobucket.com/user/jm0502/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20151108_210110_zps9tjyca5e.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg415/jm0502/Mobile%20Uploads/20151108_210110_zps9tjyca5e.jpg</a> <a href="http://s542.photobucket.com/user/jm0502/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20151108_210102_zpseaarnpkh.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg415/jm0502/Mobile%20Uploads/20151108_210102_zpseaarnpkh.jpg</a> Shiny! |
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Quoted:
Copper is gummy and grabby. Brass is just grabby. Quoted:
Quoted:
Is brass gummy like copper? Copper is gummy and grabby. Brass is just grabby. If you have trouble with brass grabbing put a zero degree rake on the bit. Twist drills particularly benefit from a small flat on the face of the edge. Quoting 10k pcs, I'd want a material sample and test run ten or so before quoting. Too easy to fuck yourself on that kind of quantity. Ask me how I know. |
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Quoted:
If you have trouble with brass grabbing put a zero degree rake on the bit. Twist drills particularly benefit from a small flat on the face of the edge. Quoting 10k pcs, I'd want a material sample and test run ten or so before quoting. Too easy to fuck yourself on that kind of quantity. Ask me how I know. Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Is brass gummy like copper? Copper is gummy and grabby. Brass is just grabby. If you have trouble with brass grabbing put a zero degree rake on the bit. Twist drills particularly benefit from a small flat on the face of the edge. Quoting 10k pcs, I'd want a material sample and test run ten or so before quoting. Too easy to fuck yourself on that kind of quantity. Ask me how I know. Yup, Just got a bar of class 3 in to try, going to run a few off and see how it does. Getting the copper directly from the Mill, Saved a lot on material if we get this job. Could be 100k parts a year if we get it and it works out. |