This may be easy for some of you, but I have a question regarding a peice made from aluminum and what happens as a result of thermal expansion. The part is machined from stock and is approx 6" X 2.5" x40" It is also cut in an arc. It is the radius of a 40" circle.
If specified to be machined to tolerances at 68 deg. F what will happen as the temp rises and falls? I know a circle will grow with the same coefficient of linear expansion as the material it is punched through, but what happens to a semi-circle? Can it be expected to hold shape? Does it wander? I know if I heat and cool a piston NOT placed inside a bore it will no longer be round when I am done, so I wonder does a "Banana" of aluminum expand uniformly or not?
I'm curious if I can expect my CMM to measure correct inner and outer radius with thermal compensation activated or does that go out the window since the part is not a complete circle?
If specified to be machined to tolerances at 68 deg. F what will happen as the temp rises and falls? I know a circle will grow with the same coefficient of linear expansion as the material it is punched through, but what happens to a semi-circle? Can it be expected to hold shape? Does it wander? I know if I heat and cool a piston NOT placed inside a bore it will no longer be round when I am done, so I wonder does a "Banana" of aluminum expand uniformly or not?
I'm curious if I can expect my CMM to measure correct inner and outer radius with thermal compensation activated or does that go out the window since the part is not a complete circle?