Elements of CNC Machining: Mastering Cutting Speed, Alimentation, Depth for Precision

CNC machining relies on three core elements to deliver efficient, Résultats de haute qualité: vitesse de coupe, tool feed, et profondeur de coupe. These elements are like the “engine, transmission, and fuel” of a car—each works independently but must be balanced to avoid mistakes like tool damage, Mauvaise finition de surface, or wasted time. This guide breaks down each element of CNC machining, solves common parameter-setting problems, and helps you optimize them for your specific project.

1. Vitesse de coupe: The “Speed Limit” for Tool and Material

Vitesse de coupe is the speed at which the workpiece or tool moves relative to each other during machining (measured in m/min or ft/min). It directly impacts how fast you can machine a part—and how long your tool lasts.

1.1 Key Factors That Determine Cutting Speed

Cutting speed isn’t one-size-fits-all. It depends on three critical factors:

• Matériau à outils: Harder tools handle faster speeds. Outils en carbure (common in industrial CNC) can run 3–5x faster than high-speed steel (HSS) outils.
• Matériau de pièce: Matériaux mous (Par exemple, aluminium) allow faster speeds than hard materials (Par exemple, acier inoxydable).
• Machining Conditions: Wet machining (avec liquide de refroidissement) lets you increase speed by 20–30% (coolant reduces heat and tool wear).

Le tableau ci-dessous indique les vitesses de coupe recommandées pour les paires outil-pièce courantes.:

1.2 Problème commun résolu: “Why is my tool wearing out too fast?»

Vous utilisez probablement une vitesse de coupe trop élevée pour votre paire outil-pièce.. Par exemple:

• Si vous utilisez un outil en carbure sur de l'acier inoxydable à 200 m / mon (sec), l'outil surchauffera et s'usera 30 minutes.
• Réduisez la vitesse à 100 m / mon (sec), et l'outil dure 4 à 6 heures, ce qui vous permet d'économiser de l'argent sur le remplacement des outils.

2. Tool Feed: Balancing Surface Quality and Efficiency

Avance d'outil est la distance parcourue par l'outil le long de la pièce par tour (mesuré en mm/tour ou en pouces/tour). It controls two key outcomes: rugosité de surface (how smooth the part is) and machining time.

2.1 How to Choose Tool Feed

The right feed rate depends on whether you’re doing rough machining (removing material quickly) ou finish machining (creating a smooth surface):

• Usinage brutal: Use a larger feed rate (0.2–0.5 mm/rev) to remove material fast. Par exemple, when cutting a 100mm aluminum block down to 80mm, un 0.4 mm/rev feed cuts the block in 5 minutes (contre. 10 minutes with a 0.2 mm/rev feed).
• Usinage final: Use a smaller feed rate (0.05–0,15 mm / révérend) pour des surfaces lisses. UN 0.1 mm/rev feed on a stainless steel part creates a surface roughness (Rampe) de 1.6 μm—smooth enough for visible parts like consumer electronics.

2.2 Considérations critiques

• Machine Power: A weak CNC machine (low horsepower) can’t handle large feed rates—too much feed will stall the spindle.
• Tool Rigidity: Long, thin tools need smaller feeds (0.05–0,1 mm/tour) Pour éviter les vibrations (which ruins surface quality). Court, thick tools can handle larger feeds.

Exemple: A user is finish-machining a aluminum phone case. They start with a 0.2 mm/rev feed and get a rough surface (Rampe 6.3 µm). They lower the feed to 0.1 MM / REV, and the surface becomes smooth (Rampe 1.6 µm)—perfect for a consumer product.

3. Profondeur de coupe: Minimizing Passes Without Breaking Tools

Profondeur de coupe is the distance the tool penetrates into the workpiece per pass (measured in mm or inches). It’s all about efficiency—using a larger depth reduces the number of passes, but too much depth can damage the tool or workpiece.

3.1 Rules for Choosing Depth of Cut

Suivez ces directives pour éviter les erreurs:

1. Prioritize Large Depths (Si possible): On rough machining, use the largest depth your tool and machine can handle. For a carbide tool cutting aluminum, a 5–10 mm depth per pass is safe—this cuts a 50mm thick block in 5–10 passes (contre. 25 passes with a 2 profondeur mm).
2. Limit Depth for Hard Materials: For stainless steel or titanium, keep depth under 2–3 mm per pass (hard materials put more stress on tools).
3. Finish Machining Needs Small Depths: Use a 0.1–0.5 mm depth for finish passes—this removes small imperfections without altering the part’s dimensions.

3.2 Problème commun résolu: “Why is my workpiece deforming during machining?»

You’re using a depth of cut that’s too large for the workpiece’s rigidity. Par exemple:

• A thin aluminum sheet (2mm d'épaisseur) can’t handle a 1.5 mm depth of cut—the sheet will bend under the tool’s force.
• Reduce the depth to 0.5 MM par passe, and the sheet stays flat—ensuring the final part meets your size requirements.

4. How to Balance the Three Elements: Un guide étape par étape

The biggest challenge isn’t setting each element individually—it’s balancing them to get fast, Résultats de haute qualité. Follow this process:

1. Start with Cutting Speed: Pick a speed based on your tool and workpiece (use the table in Section 1.1). Par exemple: Carbide tool + aluminum = 400 m / mon (mouillé).
2. Choose Tool Feed: Match feed to machining type. Rough machining = 0.3 MM / REV; finish machining = 0.1 MM / REV.
3. Set Depth of Cut: Use the largest safe depth. Pour l'usinage rugueux: 8 MM par passe (aluminium); for finish machining: 0.3 MM par passe.
4. Tester et ajuster: Run a small test part. If the tool wears fast, lower the speed. If the surface is rough, reduce the feed. If the part deforms, decrease the depth.

Exemple: A manufacturer needs to machine 100 supports en aluminium. They balance the elements as follows:

• Vitesse de coupe: 400 m / mon (carbure + wet machining).
• Tool Feed: 0.3 MM / REV (rugueux) → 0.1 MM / REV (finition).
• Profondeur de coupe: 8 MM (rugueux) → 0.3 MM (finition).

Résultat: Each bracket takes 12 minutes to make (contre. 20 minutes with unbalanced settings), and the tools last 8 heures.

5. Real-World Scenarios: Applying the Elements to Common Projects

See how the three elements work together for different CNC jobs:

Perspective de la technologie Yigu

À la technologie Yigu, Nous savons maîtriser le elements of CNC machining is key to solving users’ efficiency and quality pain points. Many clients struggle with unbalanced parameters—wasting time on slow speeds or replacing tools too often. Our solutions include a “Parameter Matching Tool” that recommends cutting speed, alimentation, and depth based on tool/workpiece pairs. We also offer carbide tool bundles optimized for common materials (Par exemple, aluminum-specific carbide tools) to simplify setup. As CNC tech evolves, we’ll add AI-powered sensors to auto-adjust elements in real time, helping users achieve precision without manual trial-and-error.

FAQ

1. Can I use the same cutting speed for all machining operations (fraisage, forage, tournant)?

No—operations have different requirements. Drilling needs slower speeds than milling (drills have smaller cutting edges that overheat faster). Par exemple: Carbide drill on aluminum = 250 m / mon (contre. 400 m/min for milling with the same tool).

2. What happens if I set the tool feed too low?

A too-low feed rate wastes time (Par exemple, un 0.05 mm/rev feed on rough machining doubles the time) and can cause “rubbing” (the tool slides over the workpiece instead of cutting), which wears out the tool faster. Aim for the largest feed rate that keeps surface quality or efficiency on track.

3. Do I need to adjust depth of cut for different tool types?

Oui! Moulin à bout (used for milling) can handle larger depths than drills (used for holes). A 10mm end mill on aluminum can take an 8mm depth, but a 10mm drill should only take 2–3mm per pass (drills are less rigid and prone to breaking with large depths).