Thread: Facemill

I need some help. I have the facemill as pictured, could someone help with speeds and feed depth please? Mill is a metalmaster model BM-70VE

Thank you
RonIMG_1055.jpg

Depends on what is being cut and how aggressive you want to be. For a 100mm diameter cutter if it was HSS, you would run around 90rpm in MS but half that if it was stainless, alloy or cast iron. With carbide you normally multiply it by anywhere from 3 to 7 depending on the insert. Feed is almost a personal preference thing. Slower feed is easier on the tool and machine, faster feed removes more metal. It's all related to the horsepower of the machine so if you really want to drive it hard, you would be listening for the motor revs dropping, finish becoming poor and all the other things to give you pointers that you need to back the feed off.

Michael

Google is your friend.
Search for "cutting speed charts", "face mill cutting speed calculators" etc
There's lots of them out there in both Metric and Imperial.
You really need to have a chart with the recommended cutting speed for the material being machined. Then a formula (if you want to work out the cutter speed yourself) or a calculator where you just input the right numbers and it gives you the answer.
Manufacturers of cutters quite often put out charts as well.
regards
peter

Another factor in milling feeds and speeds is the rigidity of the machine itself. Turret mills aren't known for their rigidity, so while you may be able to use a cutter/insert maker's data for a small cutter, a larger cutter like your 100mm one will have to be used more cautiously. Its very much a try it and see situation.

Generally the inserts themselves will have specs on speeds, feeds and DOC. I've got a 63mm face mill with hexagonal inserts (and the speed from the insert data calculates to approx 1400 RPM (ie top speed on my ancient Van Normal mill).

Steve

Originally Posted by OxxAndBert

Generally the inserts themselves will have specs on speeds, feeds and DOC.

Most of those would be for a CNC setup where everything is super rigid and has a boatload of power. Even if a manual mill can hit the recommended speeds, I certainly wouldn't want to be near it.

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

Most of those would be for a CNC setup where everything is super rigid and has a boatload of power. Even if a manual mill can hit the recommended speeds, I certainly wouldn't want to be near it.

Harden up princess

Have a look at the specs for the OP's machine. 5HP spindle, NT40 taper and 1800kgs - its definitely not an low powered piece of cheese.

I agree that if the machine isn't coping then you need to back off a bit, but the insert data is a good indicator of the conditions where it works most efficiently. If you haven't tried it yourself give it a go. Like I said earlier - even my 75 y/old POS runs my facemill nicely at the recommended settings.

Steve

Assuming that is a carbide tip facemill, and without knowing what inserts it has (this makes a big difference), i would say 100 meters per minute cutting speed, and a feed of .15mm per tooth, 1mm DOC. so 320RPM and 240mm/min feed. with more information i can give you a better recommendation.

Originally Posted by OxxAndBert

Harden up princess

Have a look at the specs for the OP's machine. 5HP spindle, NT40 taper and 1800kgs - its definitely not an low powered piece of cheese.

I agree that if the machine isn't coping then you need to back off a bit, but the insert data is a good indicator of the conditions where it works most efficiently. If you haven't tried it yourself give it a go. Like I said earlier - even my 75 y/old POS runs my facemill nicely at the recommended settings.

Steve

Lol, I guess I'm still used to woodwork recommended feeds/speeds; 18-24k rpm, 6-12 m/min...not the kind of numbers I'd be doing manually

Yeah, wood machining is scary stuff. Machine is spinning so fast you can't see the cutter, generally the workpiece isn't clamped down, and your body parts are often moving towards the cutter along with the work.
Most of the people I know that have had serious workshop injuries (ie missing digits etc) did them with woodworking machines.

Steve