Rotational Speed and Machining Parameters of Various NC Milling Cutters

Below is a basic guide to common types of CNC end mills and their corresponding spindle speeds and machining parameters:

1. High-Speed Steel (HSS) End Mills

• Spindle Speed: Typically 1,000–5,000 RPM (revolutions per minute).
• Feed Rate: Generally 100–300 mm/min, depending on material hardness.
• Cutting Depth: Adjustable from 0.5–3 mm based on the workpiece material.

2. Carbide End Mills

• Spindle Speed: 3,000–12,000 RPM, varying with tool diameter and workpiece material.
• Feed Rate: 200–600 mm/min for steel; 800–1,500 mm/min for aluminum alloy.
• Cutting Depth: Adjustable from 1–5 mm according to tool specifications and material properties.

3. Coated End Mills

• Spindle Speed: 3,500–10,000 RPM, determined by coating type (e.g., TiAlN, TiN) and workpiece material.
• Feed Rate: Usually 10%–30% higher than that of uncoated tools.
• Cutting Depth: Set at 2–6 mm depending on actual machining conditions.

4. Ball Nose End Mills

• Spindle Speed: 2,000–8,000 RPM, subject to tool diameter.
• Feed Rate: Normally 100–400 mm/min for different materials.
• Cutting Depth: Suitable for light cutting, generally 0.5–2 mm.

5. End Mills for Aluminum Alloy Machining

• Spindle Speed: 8,000–20,000 RPM; aluminum alloy allows high-speed machining.
• Feed Rate: Up to 1,000–3,000 mm/min for high cutting efficiency due to the material’s soft texture.
• Cutting Depth: Usually 2–5 mm as required by specific processing procedures.

6. Plastic Machining

• Spindle Speed: 3,000–12,000 RPM; plastics support relatively high cutting speeds.
• Feed Rate: 300–1,200 mm/min, depending on the plastic type.
• Cutting Depth: Generally 1–3 mm.

Precautions

• Adjustment of Cutting Parameters: Fine-tune cutting parameters according to the actual workpiece material, tool wear condition and machining requirements.
• Influence of Tool Diameter: Larger-diameter tools generally require lower spindle speed to maintain proper cutting force.
• Machine Tool Rigidity: The rigidity and stability of the machine tool also affect the selection of cutting parameters.