Just How To Machine Magnesium?

Magnesium has been utilized in production laptop computer frames, movie cameras, electronic cameras, PDAs and other consumer electronics services and products because of its high strength to weight ratio. When magnesium is alloyed with aluminum, the resultant product is extremely gentle and powerful, and easily machinable web messer cutting systems oxyfuel technology catalogue.

The main problem in machining magnesium alloy is the threat of fire ignition when dry cutting. Fire might occur if the melting point of the alloy (400-600 degrees Celsius) is exceeded throughout machining. The small chips and fine dust generated throughout cutting are also highly flammable and pose a significant fire risk if not correctly handled.

There are several points to notice when machining magnesium:

Firstly, make use of a lower cutting speed when compared to cutting aluminum. The temperature rises with an upsurge in cutting speed and also smaller undeformed chip thickness. Put simply, the slower the machining speed and the more expensive the chips, the low the temperature is likely to be. Because of this reason, some companies have changed woodworking tools for machining magnesium so as to obtain greater chips and lower fire hazard.The cutting tools used must have relief and clearance angles that are sufficiently large to avoid unnecessary cutting tool-workpiece friction, hence lowering the heat developed through the cutting process inside messer cutting systems jobs.

Second, keep the machining center clear. Cleaning the machining centers regularly and holding the magnesium chips properly are very important aspects of machining magnesium. Keep a jar of cast iron chips close by when machining magnesium, If fire occurs, smother the fire with the cast iron chips.

Additionally, if coolants are essential for high speed machining, do not use water-based lubricants. As an alternative work with a light mineral oil, or perhaps a water-soluble chopping liquid such as Castrol Hysol MG specially formulated for machining magnesium. Some companies in Japan use semi-dry machining via a misting system.

The next point would be to monitor the temperature throughout machining. Tests were performed using thermocouples fitted into the workpiece to monitor the temperature during unit. Dry cutting of magnesium metal thin walls was accomplished using cutting velocity of 440m/min for roughing and 628m/min for fine finishing messer cutting systems oxyfuel technology catalogue.

Despite the fire risks, as competition from overseas low-cost manufacturing bases intensifies, and magnesium becomes increasingly found in electronics services and products, most machining work shops could very well discover machining of magnesium a distinct segment worth pursuing.