Cutting Speed (Vc): In the context of a lathe machine, cutting speed is the speed at which the surface of the workpiece material moves past the cutting tool. It is a measure of how fast the material is being cut and is usually expressed in meters per minute (m/min) or surface feet per minute (sfm). Cutting speed depends on the material of both the workpiece and the cutting tool and significantly influences tool life, surface finish, and machining efficiency.

HSSdrillspeedsandfeedschartpdf

Feed Rate (F): In lathe operations, the feed rate is the distance that the cutting tool advances along the length of the workpiece with each revolution of the spindle. It is usually measured in millimeters per revolution (mm/rev) or inches per revolution (in/rev). The feed rate affects the material removal rate, surface finish, and overall machining time. It must be optimized along with cutting speed to achieve the desired balance between productivity and quality.

Determine the spindle speed (RPM) and feed rate (IPM) for a drilling operation, as well as the cut time for a given cut length. Drilling operations are those in which a cutting tool with sharp teeth, such as a twist drill, rotates and feeds into the workpiece axially, forming a hole with a diameter equal to that of the tool. Calculations use the desired tool diameter, cutting speed, and cutting feed, which should be chosen based on the specific cutting conditions, including the workpiece material and tool material. Learn more about Drilling.