Guide to Cutting Speeds and Feeds: Definition, Selection, Calculation and More | CNCLATHING

Cutting speed may also be defined as the rate at the part surface, that is, how fast the material moves past the cutting edge of the tool. For different operations, the definition of surface may vary. In drilling and milling, the surface is the outside diameter of the tool. In turning and boring, the surface can be defined on either side of the depth of cut (the starting surface or end surface). Cutting speeds are expressed in feet per minute (imperial) or meters per minute (metric).

The material to be machined and cutting tool materials will have a large impact on the calculation of cutting speed. The depth of the cut and the feed rate will also affect the speed, but not to as great as the component hardness. The optimum cutting speed will be different if the types of material and machining conditions are changed. The softer the material of workpiece, the higher the cutting speed, when the cutting tool material is stronger, the cutting speed increases. 

On a rotary tool like a drill bit or milling cutter, cutting speed is equal to how fast its periphery spins relative to the stock clamped to the worktable, it’s the same with the tools used on lathes, except their cutting speeds are measured by how fast the rotary material moves past the edge of the turning tool. What’s the recommended cutting speed for different materials? Check out Cutting Speed Chart for turning, drilling and more CNC machining operations when processing a wide range of metals.