Is there a huge difference in machineability between 6061 and 5052 aluminum I just realized the metal supplier slipped up and gave me a piece of 5052 when I bought my plate
Yes. 5052 is much more difficult to machine. It does have good formability however. It is used primarily for laser cut + folded parts.
6061 is machinable but more difficult to bend.
Inform the seller of the issue.
I’m not too worred about returning it. I will just put it on a Brigde port manual and use it to make some simple brackets if I have to hard of a time with it on the ox
I actually found cutting dry with carbide endmills I like the surface finish of 5052 much more than 6061. (On my R7 CNC).
5052 is all I’ve ever cut, so no comparison to 6061. For a belted machine just go slow (125-150mm/min) with a medium DOC (~1mm) and tweak the spindle speed to produce nice chips. I agree with @Eclsnowman - 5052 dry cuts just fine, no lube required. 1/8" 2-flute upcut carbide endmill FTW.
5052 is one of the nicer cutting bendable aluminums.
Agreed with Eric, I machine both. I do not find that it harder to machine, 3000 series on the other hand is a booger. Lower series numbers reduce machinability but provide a nicer surface finish, both on the cut and presentation face. All plates from SMW3D are 5052, including the ones on your machine… 