Getting the most out of all the CNC machines in your precision fab shop is vital for making the highest profits. If you have an older machine or two and they are not up to speed with your newer, faster machines, considering ways to get some use out of them can be challenging. However, when it comes to precision parts that require high volumes of metal to be removed from them, your older machines may be just the ticket for getting the job done. Check out how you can start using your older machines for plunge roughing, a technique that is actually best done on slower machines, for earning higher profits.

If It Drills, It Can Rough Plunge

Successful rough plunging does not require fast speeds or precision interpolation. In fact, when you have parts like dies that need a large portion of metal removed from them, older machines that have been taken out of production for issues like unsteady x and y axes are a good choice. When plunge roughing, you do not need the finishing perfection you can get from your newer machines. Incorporating a line of production using your older machines for techniques like plunge roughing can free up your newer machines for the greatest level of finishing.

Determining Important Aspects for Rough Plunging Techniques

Identifying parts that need high volume removal is your first step toward getting the most out of your slower machine in rough plunging. Planning ahead when it comes to the production of parts that require several types of milling is vital to your operation running as smoothly and quickly as possible, especially if parts are being started on the line in a process of rough plunging. When adding rough plunging to your precision part production, remember the following tips during your initial planning:

• Look at the the available machines for rough plunging and their speed variables in comparison with newer machines that will provide finishing. Basically, you need to calculate how long it will take older machines to stack up enough parts to remain in step with newer ones.

• Always take into consideration any limitation you may have to face with older machines. While most rough plunging techniques do not involve intricate programming data, making sure the data that is used is correct is vital to your process running smoothly and without incident.

• Do not forget to plan ahead for effective chip evacuation during your plunge roughing processes. If metal chips get piled up in the wrong area of your part, it could cause production stoppage and down time. For example, spiraling for deeper holes can allow chips to evacuate more easily during high-volume rough plunging.

• Take into account the tools and machines that will need to be used after rough plunging processes are done. By having your production line-up planned out, its execution can begin with fewer bumps in the road.

If you are not using your older CNC machines in operations like rough plunging, you could be losing out on an excellent opportunity to make more money. Start thinking about how you can incorporate processes like rough plunging into your metal precision parts production. For further information about this topic, speak with a representative from a company like Hales Machine Tool Inc.