CNC machining non annealed damascus?

[damadude]

Dear knife aficionados,

I am wondering if it would be worth a try to machine with a CNC machine (a roland one my friend has)
a damascus billet which is non annealed?
Or will it be dramatically easier to just do the annealing and then re-harden it after the machining?

I feel with damascus there are plenty of decorative possibilities as well, I just need to figure out how to machine it with a CNC

I guess it will not be a success with the first try... would carbide endmills be the best to give it a try?

Any advice would be highly appreciated.

thanks a lot

 

[HSC ///]

So it's hardened? You should anneal it for several reasons. Are you machining just one blade on his CNC? You have programming software and knowledge?

 

[damadude]

So it's hardened? You should anneal it for several reasons. Are you machining just one blade on his CNC? You have programming software and knowledge?

Hello,

I am going to do some decorative element CNC milling from damascus.

Perhaps I should also buy some non hardened damascus billet from ebay to practice on.

Can you please advice, what kind of damascus billets are suitable for CNC milling, all non hardened ones?
Or should the annealing process be done on all of the damascus billets that usually are sold on ebay.

I am quite a newbie, so plenty of things I am wondering about.

Thanks a lot

 

[HSC ///]

Oh I assumed you were making a blade.
You probably want to proof your program in a cheap material?
You have many factors to consider, holding your part, what size cutter, depth of cut etc.
I don't know what size billet you have or one that might be suitable for machining.
If you know what you have is hard, I would anneal it.

 

[Lieblad]

....$.

 

[damadude]

CNC & most machines for that matter can work on hard material.
But its not something a "newbie buying materials on Ebay" should jump into.

Your friends expensive CNC machine & tooling will be happier if you use non hardened materials.
If you are doing the programming, get some experience in just running the machine.
Even experienced guys sometimes cra$h machines & cut into fixture$.

I will not be doing the technical stuff for it, as my friend is expert on that stuff.

I just guess that annealing it just in case might be the best idea and try it out how it works.

I guess carbide endmill is the best option along with slow speeds and feeds?
for tests I mean?
I will post some pics if I manage to get any success

thanks