Jet Mill/Drill
Safety
The mill/drill is one of the most dangerous machines in the makerspace so you must ensure you are following the safety protocol correctly.
Always wear safety glasses when operating the mill/drill (a requirement at all times in the manufacturing lab).
Ensure long hair is tied back and you are wearing closed toed shoes (a requirement at all times in the manufacturing lab).
You may only operate the machine under the supervision of a certified staff member.
Ensure the guard is in front of the cutting tool before turning on the spindle.
Ensure the work piece is fixtured well and the tool is tightened into the tool holder before turning on the spindle.
Always wear safety glasses around this piece of equipment.
Remove loose-fitting clothing, neckties, gloves, and jewelry. Tie up long hair and always wear closed toed shoes.
Many of the tools can be very sharp, ensure you are not grabbing or touching them on the cutting edge.
Rules
The tool holder (collet or drill chuck) must be only changed by a certified staff member unless you are given explicit permission to do so.
The spindle speeds must be only changed by a certified staff member unless you are given explicit permission to do so.
All projects using the mill/drill must be approved by a certified staff member.
Only a limited material will be available for use in the space, in general you must provide your own material for your projects.
How do I get access to the mill/drill?
You must pass the metalworking safety quiz on canvas before you can use the mill/drill. All projects must be approved by a staff member before use.
Material Costs
We sell some material that can be used for milling.
Aluminum 6061 1x1" stock $1.100 / in
Aluminum 6061 3/4"x3/4" stock $0.800 / in
Scraps are free
Always refer to the Material Store page for the most updated pricing.
How Does it WOrk?
A mill/drill is a combination between a drill press and a milling machine. A drill press is stationary motorized tool that can bore holes into wood, metal, or plastic. It uses a drill chuck to accommodate different sized bits and is more precise than a handheld power drill. A milling machine removes material from a work piece by rotating a cutting tool and moving it into the material. Unlike a drill press, a mill typically uses other cutting tools in addition to drill bits which can only cut a material vertically. Some of the most common tools that a mill will use in addition to drill bits are end mills which allow the machine to cut the material horizontally. The mill/drill that we have in the DCI Lab has most milling capabilities but in the size of a benchtop drill press.
