Chip Thickness

Machining chip thickness, abbreviated as CT, is the thickness of the material that is removed from a workpiece during a machining operation.  In metal cutting processes, such as turning, milling, or drilling, a cutting tool is used to remove excess material from a workpiece to achieve the desired shape, size, and surface finish.

The chip thickness influences various aspects of the process, including cutting forces, power consumption, tool wear, and surface finish.  It is typically measured as the distance between the initial and final surfaces of the material being removed by the cutting tool.  The chip thickness can be affected by several factors, including the feed rate, cutting speed, depth of cut, and the geometry of the cutting tool.  Optimizing the chip thickness is essential for achieving efficient and effective machining.  Too small or too large of a chip thickness can lead to problems such as increased tool wear, poor surface finish, and excessive heat generation.

It's important for machinists to carefully control and monitor the chip thickness to ensure the desired machining outcomes and to maximize the tool's performance and lifespan.

 

Chip Thickness formula With the angle (\(\theta\)) = 90
\( CT \;=\; IPT \; \sqrt{ DOC \;/\; d }  \)
Symbol	English	Metric
\( CT \) = Chip Thickness	\(in\)	\(mm\)
\( IPT \) = Inches per Tooth	\(in \;/\; tooth\)	\(mm \;/\; tooth\)
\( DOC \) = Depth of Cut	\(in\)	\(mm\)
\( d \) = Cutter OD	\(in\)	\(mm\)

 

Chip Thickness formula With the angle (\(\theta\)) = 45
\( CT \;=\; IPT \; \sqrt{ RDOC \;/\; d } \;\; sin(\theta) \)
Symbol	English	Metric
\( CT \) = Chip Thickness	\(in\)	\(mm\)
\( IPT \) = Inches per Tooth	\(in \;/\; tooth\)	\(mm \;/\; tooth\)
\( DOC \) = Depth of Cut	\(in\)	\(mm\)
\( d \) = Cutter OD	\(in\)	\(mm\)
\( \theta \) = Angle	-	-