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Hole inside a plate. How to mill?

Hole inside a plate. How to mill?

Hole inside a plate. How to mill?

(OP)
I have a alum plate on hand. It has a hole mill like the attachment. I want to know how to mill a hole at that positing? Using what kind of tool to reach at that angle? thanks

RE: Hole inside a plate. How to mill?

Good luck with this.  You need a tool with zero shank diameter to get that geometry. Might try to edm that feature. You need to ask the designer why they need it.  

RE: Hole inside a plate. How to mill?

I am with dvd. The only other way I can think of is to mill a pocket half way thru the bottom section, mill one half the thickness of the radius and than make an insert with the other half and rivet or screw it together.

RE: Hole inside a plate. How to mill?

Plunge EDM can do it.

Consultation with designer strongly advised.

Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

RE: Hole inside a plate. How to mill?

(OP)
Thanks everyone. Your information is very helpful!

RE: Hole inside a plate. How to mill?

Couldn't he broach cut the hole with a rectangular broach?  (Drill out the plate first with two overlapping holes, then force the broach through.  

Then use the key cutter by bringing it down into the hole, then moving either the mill sideways into the part, or the part sideways into the rotating mill.     

RE: Hole inside a plate. How to mill?

Look again at the side pocket dimensions; they require a key cutter with a shank diameter of zero.

 

Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

RE: Hole inside a plate. How to mill?

Thank you.   I see it now.

Yeppers - Gonna need one of them there elliptical-shaped key cutters.  Made of Instanteum and Miraculum alloy.   8<)

RE: Hole inside a plate. How to mill?

Using an EDM would be the only way to produce the slot as it is currently shown.

Of course, you could use a CNC controlled metal eating nanobot. But they are really expensive and delivery is really out there. Or maybe you could borrow a replicator.

RE: Hole inside a plate. How to mill?

I would suggest looking at a casting if the quantities and tolerances allow for it.  If only a couple of parts then an die sink EDM is the only logical solution as presently designed.  

RE: Hole inside a plate. How to mill?

What grade of aluminum, I think some places maybe able to rapid prototype parts using some kind of laser sintering.  There are at least a couple of different techniques but it may be possible.

This and casting is what I meant by additive techniques.

The other option is bolt (or otherwise join) 2 plates together to get the shape.

Posting guidelines FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm? (probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?

RE: Hole inside a plate. How to mill?

This looks more like a test of knowledge than a real part. I see no reason for a part like that. The only thing I can see that used for is to lock a mating part in that hole. If it is something that is meant to be removed from the hole there are many other things that can be done other than that key way to accomplish it. If it is to stay stationary in the hole and never be removed then again other ways to do it as well. Welding for one.
 

RE: Hole inside a plate. How to mill?

Hmmm unless it is a part for microwave.

RE: Hole inside a plate. How to mill?

OP implies he has only one piece to make.  Besides the EDM, casting, or fabrications mentioned, another would be a weldment: arc or friction-stir a cover plate on top of a milled out area.

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