Speed, Feed Rate And Infeed - STEPCRAFT MM-800 Betriebsanleitung

5.7 Speed, Feed Rate and Infeed

Check your workpiece before cutting it. Make sure that it does not contain any nails or other objects. These
NOTICE
can cause the insertion tool to break.
Accessories must be rated for at least the speed recommended on the tool warning label. Accessories run-
NOTICE
ning over the rated speed can fly apart and cause injury.
Depending on the individual use case, there are three parameters, which have to be adjusted in order to achieve the best
results for cutting and engraving. Numerous jobs work best with full speed (RPM), while other jobs require lower speeds.
Furthermore, the parameters of feed and infeed are to be selected according to the used tool and the workpiece materi-
al. These three parameters can be combined in various ways. Therefore, it is imperative to perform tests before actually
starting a job. Basically, the best way to determine the speed, feed rate and infeed is to test various combinations on a
remainder of the workpiece material. To support you in finding a fitting combination of these values, STEPCRAFT put
together the table on the next page, which you can use as first go to reference. To satisfy your individual needs, then you
can vary the parameter values until you get the results you wish for.
These are some rules of thumb:
• Plastics and other materials with low melting points should be processed with low speed.
• Wood should be processed at a high speed.
• Hardwood, carbon and aluminum should be milled at high speeds. If the cutter starts to vibrate, this usually means
that the speed is too low or the feed rate / infeed depth must be reduced.
• Aluminum, copper and brass may be processed at various speeds, depending on the type of job. Use suitable cutting
oils on the end mill to prevent material adhering to it. This will also support the process. The use of a Lubrication
System (Item 11033) is recommendable as long as you are not using an MDF or HPL machine table.
• Check the individual material composition. Every material has its own characteristics and some materials are very
hard to process, for example some aluminum alloys which are not suitable for milling jobs.
Ultimately, the best way to determine the correct parameters for work on any material, is to practice on a piece of scrap,
even after referring to the table. You can quickly learn, for example, that a slower or faster speed / feed is more effective,
just by observing what happens during processing a pass or two at different speeds / feeds. When working with plastics,
start at a slow rate of speed / feed and increase the speed until you observe that the plastic is melting at the point of
contact. Then reduce the speed slightly to find the optimal working speed. Now, increase the feed until you observe that
the accessory starts to chatter at the point of contact. Then reduce the feed or the infeed slightly to find the optimum
working feed and infeed.
If, in your opinion, the insertion tool does not behave as it should, try using a different accessory and make adjustments,
if necessary, to solve the problem. A system free of play is assumed.
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