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Routing PMMA
Plexi (Polymethylmethacrylate or PMMA for short) is a transparent thermoplastic, often called "plexiglass". The material can be milled just fine with the right tools, strategies and parameters. Cast PMMA (GS) is preferred over extruded PMMA (XT). PMMA is available both crystal clear and in various colours.
Tools with positive helix for routing PMMA (matt finish)
Diager ref. | Ketele ref. | D1 | D2 | L1 | L2 | Z | Helix |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4013–0300 | ⌀ 3 mm | ⌀ 3 mm | 40 mm | 6 mm | 1 | Positive | |
4013–0400 | ⌀ 4 mm | ⌀ 4 mm | 50 mm | 8 mm | 1 | Positive | |
4013–0400A | ⌀ 4 mm | ⌀ 8 mm | 50 mm | 12 mm | 1 | Positive | |
4013–0600 | ⌀ 6 mm | ⌀ 6 mm | 50 mm | 14 mm | 1 | Positive | |
4013–0800 | ⌀ 8 mm | ⌀ 8 mm | 60 mm | 22 mm | 1 | Positive | |
4013–1000 | ⌀ 10 mm | ⌀ 10 mm | 75 mm | 32 mm | 1 | Positive | |
4013–1200 | ⌀ 12 mm | ⌀ 12 mm | 75 mm | 32 mm | 1 | Positive |
Other sizes and diameters of these tools for PMMA can be found in the Diager catalogue on page 12 or contact us for more info.
Tools with negative helix for routing PMMA
(matt finish)
Diager ref. | Ketele ref. | D1 | D2 | L1 | L2 | Z | Helix |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4012–0300 | ⌀ 3 mm | ⌀ 3 mm | 40 mm | 10 mm | 1 | Negative | |
4012-0400 | ⌀ 4 mm | ⌀ 4 mm | 50 mm | 12 mm | 1 | Negative | |
4012–0600 | ⌀ 6 mm | ⌀ 6 mm | 60 mm | 20 mm | 1 | Negative |
Other sizes and diameters of these tools for PMMA can be found in the Diager catalogue on page 13 or contact us for more info.
Tools with positive helix for routing PMMA (glossy finish)
Diager ref. | Ketele ref. | D1 | D2 | L1 | L2 | Z | Helix |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4053–0200 | ⌀ 2 mm | ⌀ 3 mm | 30 mm | 4 mm | 1 | Positive | |
4053–0200A | ⌀ 2 mm | ⌀ 6 mm | 50 mm | 4 mm | 1 | Positive | |
4053–0300 | ⌀ 3 mm | ⌀ 3 mm | 40 mm | 6 mm | 1 | Positive | |
4053–0300A | ⌀ 3 mm | ⌀ 6 mm | 50 mm | 6 mm | 1 | Positive | |
4053–0400 | ⌀ 4 mm | ⌀ 4 mm | 50 mm | 8 mm | 1 | Positive | |
4053–0400A | ⌀ 4 mm | ⌀ 6 mm | 50 mm | 8 mm | 1 | Positive | |
4053–0600 | ⌀ 6 mm | ⌀ 6 mm | 50 mm | 16 mm | 1 | Positive | |
4053–0800 | ⌀ 8 mm | ⌀ 8 mm | 60 mm | 22 mm | 1 | Positive | |
4053–1000 | ⌀ 10 mm | ⌀ 10 mm | 60 mm | 23 mm | 1 | Positive | |
4053–1012 | ⌀ 12 mm | ⌀ 12 mm | 100 mm | 42 mm | 1 | Positive |
Other sizes and diameters of these tools for PMMA can be found in the Diager catalogue on page 15 or contact us for more info.
Diamond cutter for finishing PMMA (high-gloss finish)
LMT ref. | Ketele ref. | D1 | D2 | L1 | L2 | Ch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
206 060 | 20010 | ⌀ 6 mm | ⌀ 6 mm | 50 mm | 14 mm | 15° |
Other sizes and diameters of these tools for routing PMMA can be found in the LMT Tools catalog on page 32 or contact us for more info.
Routing strategy PMMA
Material thickness | ⌀ shaft | ⌀ cutting edge | Feed | Speed RPM | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
8 mm | 6 mm | 6 mm | 100 mm / sec | 20.000 TPM | Climb |
Always use a 3D entry when machining PMMA. That way, the routing tool runs sideways into the material, which is much better than going straight down. A Diager cutter with a cutting edge diameter of 6 mm can go through 8 mm thick PMMA in 1 pass. However, we recommend working in two passes, going 7.5 mm deep while routing the first pass. While executing the second pass, you go 8.5 mm deep and cut the piece loose. Make sure all chips are out of the groove after making the first pass. If you want to route thicker material, work in several passes.
To obtain shiny edges, use tools from the 4053 series. With these cutters, which are extremely sharply ground, higher feed rates and speeds can be maintained. ( 150 mm/sec to 165 mm/sec at 24,000 TPM.) Keep the same strategy as described above. With these tools, you achieve the best results if the roughing passes have about 0.2 mm offset from the finishing pass. That last pass is the finishing pass and it is calculated without offset. The last pass is milled more slowly at 50 to 66 mm/sec, also at 24,000 RPM.
You can achieve an even shinier result by cooling with (distilled) water during routing.
The cutters with shaft diameter 6 mm are available with a brass ring, so you can also use the tools on a Zünd machine.
Depending on machine and spindle power, other values may apply.
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