CNC (Computerized Numerical Control) machining is a subtractive manufacturing process, which uses programmed codes to control the movement of the tool axis. The programmed codes include all the necessary cutting parameters like the cutting tool movement, spindle speeds, feeds, RPMs, etc.

It is essential to consider these parameters while designing the products for the CNC machining operations. The optimization of various parts of the CNC machining process will be assured by these parameters. The tool life and power consumption will be optimized by cutting speed. The machining time and surface roughness of the finished products will be governed by the feed rate.

Hence, the engineers and machinists must know about the cutting speed and feed rate along with the difference between them and how to derive the cutting speed and feed rate. Keep on reading.

What is Feed Rate?

During one spindle revolution, the distance traveled by the cutting tool is known as the feed rate. It can also be termed as the cutting tool engagement speed and for milling operation, it is generally measured in inches/minute or millimeter’s/minute.

For boring and turning operations, it can be measured in inches/revolution or millimeter’s/revolution. The variation in the feed rates will depend upon the blank material (Steel, Wood, Aluminum, Stainless Steel, etc.), the tool material (HSS cutting tool, Ceramic, Cermet, etc.), and other cutting factors, such as surface finish and the CNC machine characteristics.

The aesthetics of the machined products will depend on the feed rate and hence the optimization of the feed rate is crucial in CNC machining processes.

Selection of Optimum Feed Rate

Every aspect of the CNC machining process is directly related to the feed rate from safety to productivity, tool life, and product quality. When choosing the feed rate, the following factors are to be considered.

Productivity

For the higher productivity rates, the feed rate can be increased by losing the surface quality. In another case, by maintaining the feed rate stable, the cutting speed can be increased.

Surface finish

Better surface finish can be attained by the lower feed rates. A coarse feed rate can be considered for the rough cut. For example, the feed rate can be considered as 0.01-0.05mm/rev for finishing operation and 0.1-0.3mm/rev for rough turning operation.

Feed rate limit

The available machine tools have a feed-by-feed rod, within the minimum and maximum limit. For these machine tools, beyond the limit is not permissible, but, only a few feed rate options within the range can be applied for the conventional lathe machine tools.

Cutting tool geometry

The surface finish of the products can be affected by the tool geometry, apart from the feed rate. A higher value for the tool geometry can be preferred, if the geometry permits.

Machine tool capability

The high cutting force and high vibrations can occur due to the higher feed rate. The feed rate must be chosen, depending upon the absorption and transmission of high forces and vibrations of the machine tool.

What is Cutting Speed?

The relative velocity between the cutting tool and the surface of the workpiece is generally known as surface speed or cutting speed. It can also be defined as, the linear distance of meters per minute or feet per minute that the cutting tool material moves past over the workpiece surface for a cutting process.

The major parameters of the CNC machining, such as power consumption, cutting temperature and tool life, etc. will be determined by the cutting speed. The cutting speed values will vary according to different materials such as High carbon steel, low carbon steel, aluminum, and plastics. some tools or processes such as threading tools and knurling tools will be operated at lower cutting speeds than the mentioned.

Selection of Optimum Cutting Speed

To get the best output from the CNC machining process, the optimum cutting speed has to be ensured. The optimum cutting speed for a particular CNC machining process can be predicted by using the following factors.

Workpiece hardness

The resistance of a material to deformation caused by abrasion, indentation and scratching is generally termed hardness. During the machining process, certain care has to be maintained for the harder workpiece, as they can easily deteriorate the tool performance. During the machining of a harder material, slower cutting speeds have to be imposed. for example, a lower cutting speed is required for titanium compared to steel.

The strength of the cutting tool

For machining operations, the cutting edge tool strength plays a crucial role in the permissible cutting speeds. For example, during machining, for higher cutting speeds, the cutting tools which are made of high-strength materials like diamond and carbon boron nitride can be used. On the other hand, for lower cutting speeds, the cutting tools which are made of high-speed steel can be used.

Tool life

With the higher cutting speeds, the softer cutting tool materials will wear out rapidly, which will lead to shorter tool life. Another crucial factor to determine cutting speed is how long the engineer or machinist wants to work on that tool. Primarily, this will include the parameters such as the tool cost and the produced quantity of parts. If these parameters are within the permissible limits, then the high cutting speed can be utilized.

Why are Speeds and Feeds Important in Machining?

Speeds and feeds are important in machining because they determine the rate at which material is removed and how much material is removed.

The speeds and feeds could influence significantly a tool’s life.

The difference between the feed rate and cutting speed can be determined by a crucial factor called cutting temperature because the higher cutting temperature can hinder the parameters such as the tool life and surface roughness.

The shoddy effects of speeds and feeds are not visible on softer materials (aluminum or resin), because there is an ample amount of space for error. However, the shoddy effects of speeds and feeds are visible on harder materials (titanium or Inconel) because there is a limited range for error.

The cutting tool will break promptly if there is a slight difference between speed and feed rate.

The speeds and feeds are mandatory to attain better surface roughness. If the machine runs with a high value of tool rate and spindle speed, the chatter marks will appear on the material surface.

Difference Between Feed Rate and Cutting Speed

While both feed rate and cutting speed will affect the overall performance of the machine, they actually refer to two different things. In order to get the best results from your CNC machine, it’s important to understand the difference between the two.

1. The main difference between feed rate and cutting speed is that feed rate is the speed at which the tool moves through the workpiece, whereas cutting speed is the speed at which the cutting edge of the tool moves.

In other words, the feed rate is a measure of how fast the tool moves through the material while cutting speed is a measure of how fast the tool actually cuts.

2. The cutting speed gives a generatrix and it is generally measured in m/min or ft./min, denoted by Vc. The feed rate gives a directrix and it is generally measured in mm/rev or mm/min, denoted by s or f.

3. During machining, the cutting speed will influence the cutting force and power consumption. But the feed rate does not influence.

4. The cutting speed doesn’t have any role in deviating the chip direction from orthogonal. However, almost in every case, the feed rate will influence the flow of the actual chip direction.

5. The cutting temperature, tool wear and tool life are less impacted by the feed rate. But the cutting speed will be greatly impacted.

6. The scallop or feed marks generation on the machined surface doesn’t have the direct involvement of cutting speed. However, the scallop marks on the finished product surface will have the direct involvement of feed rate and this will directly represent the surface roughness.

The following chart of cutting speed and feed rate provides a more visual understanding of the differences.

Parameter

Cutting Speed

Feed Rate

Generatrix and Directrix

Directrix is generated by the cutting speed

Generatrix is generated by feed rate

Units of Motion and Short Form

Measured in meters per minute (m/min) or feet per minute (ft/min) and denoted by Vc

Measured in meters per revolution (mpr) or inches per revolution and denoted by s or f

Chip Direction

No effect on deviating from the orthogonal chip direction

Affect the actual chip flow direction

Cutting Force and Power Consumption

Influence the cutting force and power consumption

Not influence the cutting force and power consumption

Surface Roughness and Scallop Marks

Not directly related to the scalloping or marks produced on the machined surface

Directly related to the scalloped marks on the finished surface

Cutting Temperature, Tool Life and Tool Wear

Greatly impacted

Less impacted

How Do Determine Feed Rate and Cutting Speed?

The above chart reveals all the necessary parameters that are involved to determine the cutting speed and feed rate. To determine cutting speed and feed, the spindle speed is the basic requirement. The final feed can be attained by following two methods, firstly, by determining the feed per tooth, and secondly, by using this feed per tooth, the feed of the tool can be determined.

Other important considerations

Spindle Speed Limit

The surface feet per minute (SFM) based on the material and the cutter diameter will be required to define the cutter speed in RPM. Sometimes, with the minute tooling and/or certain materials speed calculation, the calculated speed results in an unfeasible.

In such a case, the machinist has to run the tool with the comfortable machine’s maximum speed and the required chip load for the diameter is maintained. By this, at the machine’s top speed, the optimal parameters can be achieved.

Non-Linear Path

Generally, the feed rates are assumed as a linear motion i.e., the linear distance moved. Nevertheless, there are some cases in which the feed rates will be considered in an arc or circular interpolation path (outer diameter or inner diameter). As the depth of cut increases, there is an increase in the angle of engagement on a tool which leads to a non-linear path. The engagement of the tool is higher for internal corners compared to external corners.

Interaction of Cutting Velocity and Feed Rate

During machining, the cutting tool compresses the workpiece surface and removes a thin layer of material in the form of a chip. The relative velocity between the workpiece and cutter is desired to transmit the required compressive force. The primary relative velocity was produced by cutting velocity, which helps in envisaging the material removal.

To envisage the material removed from the total workpiece surface, another synchronous motion known as feed motion must be provided to the cutter or workpiece (different for different milling operations) along the intended direction. These simultaneous actions of feed rate and cutting velocity along with the feed motion will accomplish the basic requirements of machining.

Conclusion

The speeds and feeds are required to optimize the various parts of the CNC machining parameters such as tool life, power consumption, time and roughness. Making the interplay of cutting speed and feed rate is of great benefit to the production of CNC machined parts. So, to decide the speeds and feeds, the engineers and machinists have to understand them completely.

At WayKen, our experienced engineers and machinists are available to meet different machining needs to ensure that the parts and products you need are produced. If you’re worried about cutting speeds and feed rates in your CNC machined parts, contact us today. You will always get the best-machined part you expect.

FAQs

Is cutting speed and feed rate the same?

No, cutting speed and feed rate are not the same. Cutting speed is the speed at which the cutting tool moves through the material being cut. Feed rate is the speed at which the material being cut moves past the cutting tool.

What does SFM mean in machining?

SFM, also called surface speed, stands for Surface Feet per Minute and is a common measurement of cutting speed in machining. It represents the number of feet that a tool can travel across a workpiece in one minute. The higher the SFM, the faster the cutting speed.

Why do the engineers and machinists have to consider the cutting speeds and feed rates during CNC machining?

The engineers and machinists have to consider the cutting speeds and feed rates during CNC machining because it directly affects the quality of the finished product. If the cutting speed is too slow, then the material will not be cut cleanly and there will be a risk of burrs or other imperfections.