Acrylic glass, wood, carbon or plastics – each material must be processed with a suitable end mill for the result to look as good as the idea. In addition, the speed and feed rate need to be adjusted accordingly. You will quickly gather your own empirical values, but there are also specific formulas for calculating the speed rate and other values. The easiest way is to use the free STEPCRAFT Milling Calculator. You can find it in the App Store and the Play Store. Simply select your machine, your material and your end mill and the STEPCRAFT Milling Calculator will show you the appropriate speed rate and cutting data in no time.
Type of tool |
Characteristics |
Applications |
End mill 2-flute fish (downcut) |
for thin material very clean cutting edges |
plastic wood |
End mill 2-flute fish (upcut) |
universal end mill good immersion capacity |
wood non-ferrous metals plastic |
End mill diamond toothed |
high endurance |
GFK CFK PCB |
End mill spiral toothed (downcut) |
for thin material very clean cutting edges |
softwood plywood |
End mill spiral toothed (upcut) |
chipbreaking |
softwood plywood |
End mill radius |
finishing cutter 3D carving |
wood non-ferrous metals plastic |
End mill single flute |
low friction large flute |
low-melting plastics |
V-bit |
single flute |
universal PCB engravings |
ø Cutting Speed m/min.* |
End Mill Diamater |
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ø 1 mm |
ø 2 mm |
ø 3 mm |
ø 4 mm |
ø 5 mm |
ø 6 mm |
ø 8 mm |
ø 10 mm |
ø 12 mm |
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Feed Rate in mm / Tooth / Revolution |
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Cast Aluminum > 6 % Si |
200 |
0,010 |
0,010 |
0,010 |
0,015 |
0,015 |
0,025 |
0,030 |
0,038 |
0,050 |
Wrought Aluminum Alloy |
500 |
0,010 |
0,020 |
0,025 |
0,050 |
0,050 |
0,050 |
0,064 |
0,080 |
0,100 |
Soft Plastic |
600 |
0,025 |
0,030 |
0,035 |
0,045 |
0,065 |
0,090 |
0,100 |
0,200 |
0,300 |
Hard Plastic |
550 |
0,015 |
0,020 |
0,025 |
0,050 |
0,060 |
0,080 |
0,089 |
0,100 |
0,150 |
Hard Wood |
450 |
0,020 |
0,025 |
0,030 |
0,055 |
0,065 |
0,085 |
0,095 |
0,095 |
0,155 |
Soft Wood |
500 |
0,025 |
0,030 |
0,035 |
0,060 |
0,070 |
0,090 |
0,100 |
0,110 |
0,160 |
MDF |
450 |
0,050 |
0,070 |
0,100 |
0,150 |
0,200 |
0,300 |
0,400 |
0,500 |
0,600 |
Brass, Copper, Bronze |
365 |
0,015 |
0,020 |
0,025 |
0,025 |
0,030 |
0,050 |
0,056 |
0,065 |
0,080 |
Steel |
75 |
0,010 |
0,010 |
0,012 |
0,025 |
0,030 |
0,038 |
0,045 |
0,050 |
0,080 |
*The stated cutting speeds are average values. In result of the milling process and the type of end mill adjustments might be necessary .Roughing: Reduction of up to 25 % – Finishing: Increase of up to 25 % – HSS end mill: Reduction of up to 50 % (hard materials) – VHM end mill: Increase of up to 25 %
The cooling of non-ferrous metals occurs in best case with a lubrication system in combination with lubricant. Furthermore, the lubricating improves the surface quality and the service life of the tool. Lubricating with soap solution is suitable on acrylic glass. This improves an excellent surface.
The maximum possible infeed is usually reduced to the spiral length of the end mill, otherwise the shank will rub on the workpiece. Due to the relief-grinded shank, depths over several infeeds up to the maximum effective lengths are possible, thus, exceeding the spiral length.