Machining Cutting Feed

Machining cutting feed, often simply referred to as "feed", represents the distance a cutting tool advances into the workpiece during each revolution.  It is a measure of how quickly the cutting tool moves relative to the workpiece along the axial direction.

The cutting feed rate influence the material removal rate in machining.  Together with the cutting speed and the depth of cut, the cutting feed determines the overall efficiency of the machining process.  It's important to optimize the cutting feed rate to achieve a balance between material removal efficiency and other factors such as tool life, surface finish, and chip formation.  Too high of a feed rate may result in excessive tool wear and poor surface finish, while too low of a feed rate may reduce productivity.

Machinists consider various factors, including the material being machined, the type of cutting tool, and the specific machining operation, when determining the appropriate cutting feed for a given application.  Adjusting the cutting feed rate is a common practice during machining to optimize performance based on the specific conditions and requirements of the task at hand.

 

Machining cutting Feed formula
\( f_c =  f_t \; n \)
Symbol	English	Metric
\( f_c \) = cutting feed (IPR)	\(in\;/\;rev\)	\(mm\;/\;rev\)
\( f_t \) = feed per tooth (IPT)	\(in\;/\;rev\)	\(mm\;/\;rev\)
\( n \) = number of teeth	\(dimensionless\)