• Created by Unknown User (jcoray@mit.edu), last modified by Unknown User (cceylan@mit.edu) on Nov 20, 2019 13:54

You are viewing an old version of this page. View the current version.

Compare with Current View Page History

« Previous Version 3 Next »

Purpose

The leading edge (LE) does XYZ and ZYX

 Materials

For Machining:

Raw Materials:

  1. 1/4" Thick 316 Stainless Steel Plate
  2. Fin Preform (FC002). For testing fit. 

Tooling and Machines:

  1. 1/8" Coated Carbide 3 Flute End Mill for Stainless Steel (McMaster  8883a11)
  2. Mill (At least 5000 rpm and set up for mist of flood coolant)

Fabrication

Machining

Machining stainless steel is difficult. Do not expect the process to go as smoothly as machining aluminum. If you have never worked with stainless steel before, ask for help, expect to break an endmill or two, and buy extra stock and tooling because you will probably need it.

For the slots, using a slot saw works fine with phenolic and aluminium. But for stainless steel, HSS tools performs very poorly and it's better to do the slots with an end-mill.

I. Making the Blanks

  1. Get sheet stock that has the thickness of the final leading edge.
  2. If you have not used the waterjet before, ask for help.
  3. From the CAD model, make a .dxf drawing of the part. Check dimensions.
  4. Using the related Waterjet software, copy-paste and orient the part such that you can get as many parts from the stock as possible. Make sure that all of the pieces fit in the frame of the stock.
  5. Check settings related to thickness, material etc., make sure they are correct.
  6. Follow the procedure for waterjetting. After getting the first piece, make sure dimensions are correct.

II. Machining the Slot

  1. Secure the blank in the vise. 
  2. Set the speed to 5000 rpm, the feed to 9 ipm. 
  3. Turn on the coolant.
  4. Plunging 1/16" at a time, cut the slot. Power feed is your friend.
  5. Once you have reached the desired depth, test the slot width with the Fin Preform. Run .005" finishing passes until it fits snugly. 

III. Machining the Taper

blah

 

 

 

  • No labels