Stepdowns, Stepovers, Feed and Speeds

This page will cover how to determine amount and speed at which material is cut off of the stock.

ISO Material Groups

When determining feeds and speeds for a given manufacturer’s tool, you need to know what material it is being used for. This is where ISO standards come into play. Typically we work in P (Steel) and N (Non-Ferrous, Aluminum). You will then select your material number based on the alloy you are using and its material properties.

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Machine Considerations

For our machining, we will largely be machine limited on speeds and feeds.

Key limitations:

• Power and Torque

  • The curve below will dictate how much power and torque you can command from the machine for a given cut. I typically stick to under half of the machine limit at most.

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• Speed:

  • In X and Y, the machine is limited to 300 inches per minute (IPM)

  • In Z the machine feed limit is 230 IPM

Step Down and Step Over

Finding Your Tool

Once you know your material group, you need to figure out what type of tool you have.

Find your tool brand

Kennametal

1. Find the tool number i.e. 6676360

2. Go to https://www.kennametalnovo.com/app/en (If you don’t have an account, make one now!)

3. Search your part number

4. Find the feeds and speeds button

Niagara Tools

1. Find the tool number

2. Go to Seco Tools

3. Search your part number and use the speeds and feeds tool the same you would use Kennametals above

Harvey Tools

1. Find the tool number

2. Go to Harvey Tools

3. Search your part number and find this button