Thanks everyone. More detail: this is a center plate used to orient cells (close in size to d-cells). We will use epoxy to keep the batteries in place. We do have flexibility in design/manufacture. We're planning on machining out thru holes.
ebegt
Is there a guideline for the minimum distance between holes bored into a given thickness of aluminum plate?
We have a 1/16" thick plate that is ~7" diameter round of aluminum that requires 12 holes. It was suggested:
12X diameter 1.350"+- .005" thru, equally spaced at 30 degrees apart...