Surface Feet per Minute

Surface feet per minute, abbreviated as SFM, is a unit of measure used in machining and metalworking to express the speed at which a cutting tool or workpiece moves past the cutting edge of a tool.  SFM directly affects the efficiency, tool life, and quality of the machined surface.  The cutting speed is influenced by the type of material being machined, the type of cutting tool, and the material properties.  Different materials require different cutting speeds for optimal machining results.

It's important to note that SFM is just one of the factors considered in machining calculations.  The choice of cutting tools, feed rates, and depth of cut are also crucial in determining the overall efficiency and quality of the machining process.

 

Surface Feet Per Minute formula
\( SFM \;=\;  RPM \; D \;/\; 3.82  \)     (Surface Feet per Minute) \( RPM \;=\;  3.82 \; SFM \;/\; D  \) \( D \;=\;  3.82 \; SFM \;/\; RPM  \)
Symbol	English	Metric
\( SFM \) = Surface Feet per Minute	\(ft\;/\;min\)	-
\( RPM \) = Revolutions per Minute	\(rev\;/\;min\)	-
\( D \) = Tool Diameter	\(in\)	-
\( 3.82 \) = Industry Constant	\(constant\)	-