LATHE KEYWAY KEYSEAT MILLING TECHNOLOGY PARAMETERS
Keyway slot milling is an operation used to produce an accurate lengthwise groove along the faces of a cylindrical part. Keyway slots are typically used to provide revolving mechanical parts secure axial movement. The lengthwise groove, which is typically rectangular in cross-section, follows the axis of the part and is either milled into the faces of the part or cut into the side face.
Applications
The keyway slot milling operation is typically used on lathe parts to create accurately sized slots. The operation is very useful in the production of large parts that require precision sizing and alignment. This often includes components such as valves, pistons, and pumps. Keyway slots are also used for electrical components such as cables and connectors.
Variables
The keyway slot milling operation has a variety of variables that must be taken into account. The most important of these variables is the size of the groove or slot that is being milled. In order to accurately control the size of the groove, the speed of the cutter head, feed rate, and the depth of cut must all be adjusted accordingly. In addition to controlling the size of the slot, careful consideration must be given to the shape of the slot. In some cases, a slot may be milled in a curved pattern or with a series of wavlines to provide greater strength or security to the part.
Tooling
The most important tooling required for keyway slot milling is the milling cutter. The cutter must be selected to accommodate the material that is being milled as well as the desired shape and size of the groove being milled. Generally, end mils and face mills with a large number of flutes are used to produce good results. In addition to the milling cutter, the machine must be tooled with appropriate workholding fixtures. These workholding fixtures are typically used to hold the part securely to the machine table and to accurately position the part for the cutting operation.
Process
The keyway slot milling process involves setting the part and adjusting the variables mentioned above. Once the variables have been set, the cutting operation is done in a series of passes, starting with a rough cut and finishing with a shallow cut to achieve the desired finish. During the operation, the part is clamped to the table with a fixture that has been precisely adjusted. The milling cutter is then moved along the axis of the part and the depth of cut is controlled to create the desired groove. After each pass, the depth of the groove is inspected and adjusted, if needed. The cutting operation is repeated until the desired result is achieved.
Conclusion
Keyway slot milling is a precision machining process that uses specialized milling cutters to create accurately sized grooves in cylindrical parts. The process involves setting the part, adjusting the feed rate, speed, and depth of cut, and using the milling cutter to cut a series of passes. The process is important in the production of large components that require exacting standards for their proper alignment and movement.
