cutting speed

[paul60]

I am using vcarve pro with a shopbot prt 96.
and Mach3 software.
using .125 spiral bit
using 2.2 kw spindle
just wonder what would be the recommended cutting speed i am running at 100.0 inch per min.
trying to get the best quality cut.
Thanks for any help Paul

[Rcnewcomb]

It depends on the material and the bit.

You want to have the right chip load for your bit and material.

An internet search for chip load wood shows the following:

For a random 1/8" bit the chip load ranges from 0.003" to 0.007"

Fortunately Vectric includes a chip load calculator in the tool database screen.
You tell it:

• how many flutes (cutting edges) the bit has
• how fast your want to move (100 ipm)
• how fast the spindle/router is turning

and it will display the chip load.

In this case a 2 flute 1/8" end mill spinning at 12.5K RPM and moving at 100 ipm will produce a chip that is 0.004" in size.
A different sized bit will have a different chip load.
A bit with more or fewer flutes will have a different chip load
Different material may have a different ship load (softwood,, hardwood, aluminum, stone, hard plastic, soft plastic, foam, etc.)


Try changing the the RPMs or the feed rate to see how the chip load value changes.

THIS IS A STARTING POINT

The optimum settings for your machine may be faster or slower than this.

[adze_cnc]

This is a duplicate thread. The other copy of this thread includes sample DXF and material specs the original poster wants to cut: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=37847