The effect of suction pressure of vacuum clamp on the aluminum plate surface following the cutting process using mini PC-based CNC milling

Abstract

The study aimed to observe the function of vacuum clamp as gripping equipment for the cutting process of the aluminum plate using PC-based CNC milling equipment as well as to find out an optimum suction pressure of the vacuum clamp and the effect on the surface roughness of the aluminum plate after the cutting process. The cutting process of the aluminum plates utilized a PC-based CNC milling equipment with a vacuum clamp as its gripping equipment in the form of a cutter-end mill HSS with a 3 mm diameter and 1.7 mm aluminum plate (Al 1100) thickness as workpieces. The sealing of the gripping equipment utilized a rubber mat in a 1.7 mm thickness. The milling process was set up at 2,650 rpm of the spindle rotation speed, 32 mm/minute feeding speed, 0.2 mm depth of cut, and 0.007 mm/tooth feed rate. The surface roughness of the outcome was measured using a Profilometer. The suction pressure of the vacuum pump was controlled by the valve and control tube, thus could maintain a stable suction pressure during the machinery process. The suction pressure varied from -18 inHg, -20 inHg, -22 inHg, and -24 inHg. The findings indicated that the cutting process of the aluminum plate using vacuum clamp as gripping equipment at -24 inHg of suction pressure was able to produce surface roughness (Ra) according to the standard of limit as determined in Part 2 of DIN.