S&S Auto Parts
Machine Shop Service
New Palestine, Indiana
Milling
S&S Auto Parts Machine Shop Service
Dave Sellers
New Palestine, Indiana
317- 861- 4426
We use CBN for cast iron and PCD cutter on aluminum
Most of the equipment manufacturers said milling is what most engine re builders are interested in today. Re builders like dry milling because it eliminates the mess and maintenance that goes with wet grinding. Milling allows very precise control over the stock removal, and it is faster than grinding because more metal can be removed in a single pass eliminating the need for multiple cuts. The advent of long-life cubic boron nitride (CBN) and polycrystaline diamond (PCD) tooling has also made a big difference in both milling costs and performance.
Carbide or PCD tooling is usually recommended for aluminum, though some shops say they’ve also had good results on aluminum with CBN tooling. PCD and CBN are both expensive compared to carbide, but have significantly longer service life which makes them more economical in the long run for high volume shops.
Though most shops that mill heads do not use any coolant, milling with a coolant has a number of advantages. Coolant helps wash away swarf for a cleaner more consistent cut. It also keeps the tooling and work piece cooler which reduces heat buildup, distortion and tool wear. Consequently, milling with a coolant generally improves the overall process and improves the surface finish.
