Chip Load

The chip load is a measurement of the thickness of material removed by each cutting edge during a cut. It is the key

information to calculate new set-ups because:

  • It controls the force to cut the work material
  • It helps cool the tool
  • It controls too wear
  • It affects material removal rate
  • It affects the workpiece surface finish

Generally, CAM software like Fusion360, Vetric Vcarve Pro, requires only spindle RPM and Feed Rate, other than Chip Load data. However, we recommend calculating your CAM set up by using Chip Load. All our products on the website have intergraded chip load data. You can calculate directly by inputting the product SKU number.

Our Chip Loads are based on material thickness of average size for cutting edge length of tool. These recommendations do not apply to thicker materials or tools with long cutting edge lengths. These chip loads are only a recommended starting point and may not accommodate all circumstances. Therefore, tooling damage may still occur and use of this chart does not warranty against tool breakage.

RPM

Resolution Per Minute, it is the speed of the spindle of your machine. Our general recommendation is below:

Tooling 3/8” and smaller in Ø use 18,000 RPM

Tooling Larger than 3/8” in Ø use 16,000 RPM

Feed Rate

The feed rate used depends upon a variety of factors, including power and rigidity of the machine, rigidity of part hold-down, spindle horsepower, depth and width of cut, sharpness of cutting tool, design and type of cutter, and the material being cut.

Metric & Imperial Conversion

METRIC (mm)IMPERIAL(Inch)

Feeds & Speed Calculator

By SKU

Input SKU and 1 of RPM and Feedrate, press Calculate.

SKUFEED RATERPM
By chip load

Input 3 out of 4 factors below, press Calculate.

CHIP LOADFEED RATERPMNUMBER OF FLUTES
=
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X
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