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UHMWPE is different from other plastic or metal materials in cutting due to its high wear resistance, low friction coefficient and high toughness. In order to ensure the processing quality and extend the tool life, the following key points should be noted when cutting UHMWPE sheets:

1. Tool selection

Sharp tools: UHMWPE has high toughness and is easy to stretch and deform, so sharp tools are required to reduce cutting resistance.

Carbide or high-carbon steel tools: Carbide or high-speed steel (HSS) tools are recommended to extend tool life.

Larger cutting angle (front angle 5° - 15°): Reduce cutting force and reduce heat accumulation.

2. Cutting speed and feed rate

High-speed cutting (Cutting Speed): The recommended cutting speed is 300 - 800 m/min to reduce material stretching and debris accumulation.

Reasonable feed rate: 0.1 - 0.5 mm/rev is recommended. Too fast may cause material tearing, and too slow may cause overheating.

Avoid excessive cutting: It is recommended to control the single cutting depth between 0.5 - 3 mm to reduce material rebound and tool wear.

3. Cutting cooling

Use coolant: UHMWPE is easy to generate heat during cutting, which may cause melting or adhesion of the tool. Air cooling or water-based coolant is recommended.

Avoid overheating: The material temperature should not exceed 80°C during processing to prevent deformation or melting.

4. Clamping and fixing

Use stable fixtures: UHMWPE sheets are soft and easy to deform. During processing, clamping devices or vacuum adsorption are required to prevent vibration from affecting processing accuracy.

Reduce material stress: The clamping force should be gradually adjusted during cutting to avoid deformation of the material due to excessive clamping.

5. Cutting method

Avoid continuous cutting: The low friction characteristics of UHMWPE easily cause chips to wrap around the tool. Intermittent cutting is recommended to reduce chip accumulation.

Use deburring tools: UHMWPE may produce burrs after cutting, which can be removed by manual scrapers or sandpaper.

Recommended processing methods:

Milling: The most commonly used, with good surface quality, high-speed milling is recommended.

Turning: Suitable for circular parts processing, it is recommended to use sharp tools and high-speed cutting.

Sawing: Suitable for large-size cutting, carbide saw blades are recommended.

6. Static control

Prevent static accumulation: UHMWPE may generate static electricity during cutting and easily absorb chips. Anti-static spray or grounding device can be used to reduce the impact of static electricity.

7. Post-processing

Surface polishing: If there are higher requirements for surface quality, fine sandpaper or flame polishing can be used.

Dimensional recovery: UHMWPE has certain thermal expansion and contraction characteristics. It should be left for a period of time after processing to stabilize its dimensions.