Feeds & Speeds tab, Hole Making Operations

The following dialog is similar for all Hole Making operations and allows you to select the appropriate Feeds & Speeds for the current operation. On this tab, Spindle Parameters and Feed Rates can be specified. Speeds & Feeds can also be loaded from a File or from the Tool.

Dialog Box: Feeds & Speeds tab

Dialog Box: Feeds & Speeds tab, similar for all Milling operations

Spindle Parameters

These parameters refer to the spindle on your machine.

Spindle Speed

This is the rotational Speed (S) of the milling spindle expressed in RPM.

Spindle Direction (CW)

This sets the spindle rotation to be Clockwise (CW).

Spindle Direction (CCW)

This sets the spindle rotation Direction to be Counter Clockwise (CCW).

Feed Rates

These are the feedrates (in Units/Min) that will be applied to the current toolpath operation. If the values are currently populated from your Tool definition (Load from Tool), Feeds & Speeds table (Load from File) or from your Knowledge Base, you can override them for this operation.

Plunge (Pf)

This is the rate is the feed before the tool starts to engage in material. This is always vertical.

Approach (Af)

This is the Approach (Af) feedrate (in Units/Min) used to prepare the cutter just before it starts to Engage into material for cutting. Approach motions are dependent on the method of machining.

Engage (Ef)

This is the Engage (Ef) feedrate (in Units/Min) used when the tool is Engaging the material just prior to cutting.

Cut (Cf)

This is the Cut (Cf) feedrate (in Units/Min) used when the tool is Cutting material.

Retract (Rf)

This is the Retract (Rf) feedrate (in Units/Min), when the tool is performing a Retract move away from material.

Departure (Df)

The is the feedrate (in Units/Min), when the tool Departs from the material.

Transfer (Tf) Use Rapid

This is the Transfer (Tf) feedrate (in Units/Min) used for Transfer motions. If you select Use Rapid the posted G-Code will output a rapid motion (G0) with no feed rate. Note: For more accurate machining time estimates, use the Set option and enter the feed rate to use.

Transfer (Tf) Set

This is the Transfer (Tf) feedrate (in Units/Min) used for Transfer motions. Select Set to enter an actual feedrate value for rapid motions (G0). This is only used for calculating the estimated machining time.

Feed Rates Reduction Factors (Hole Operations Only)

This section of the dialog allows you to specify Feed Rate Reduction Factors for specific tool motions.

Plunge between levels

This is a percentage of the Cut (Cf) feedrate to use when the tool is plunging between Z levels.

First XY Pass

This is a percentage of the Cut (Cf) feedrate to use on the first XY cut motion when the toolpath uses the full width of the cutter.

Coolant

Here you can override the Coolant that is specified by the Tool. Coolant can be set to Flood, Mist, Through or Air Through. Coolant codes are defined in the post processor generator under Misc tab. Coolant Off is also supported as a variable that can be added where needed using the post-processor generator.

Coolant selections available

Load from Tool

Load the Feed & Speeds values that are saved with the currently selected Tool.

See: Create/Edit Tools

Load from File

This loads the Feeds & Speeds values from the Feeds & Speeds Table file. This will display the Load Feeds from Table dialog box to make your selections.

Dialog Box: Load Feeds from Table

Selecting OK from this dialog transfers the spindle speed and cut feedrate to the Feeds & Speeds tab. The plunge, approach, engage, retract and departure feeds are determined using a percent of the cut feed. The percent to use for transferring the computed cut feed can be set under Feeds & Speeds Preferences.

Dialog Box: Load Feeds from Table

Data from Table

Stock Material

Selecting a Stock Material and Tool Material displays the Surface Speed and Feed/Tooth. This information is contained in a feeds and speeds data file which can be edited to add newer materials.

Tool Material

Selecting a Stock Material and Tool Material displays the Surface Speed and Feed/Tooth. This information is contained in a feeds and speeds data file which can be edited to add newer materials.

Surface Speed

Selecting a Stock Material and Tool Material displays the Surface Speed and Feed/Tooth. This information is contained in a feeds and speeds data file which can be edited to add newer materials.

Feed/Tooth

Selecting a Stock Material and Tool Material displays the Surface Speed and Feed/Tooth. This information is contained in a feeds and speeds data file which can be edited to add newer materials.

Input Variables

The input variables - Work Diameter is automatically loaded from the Stock Radius. Based on this parameter and the Variables Limits parameters, the program computes Spindle Speed and Cut Feedrate (Cf). measured in Unites/Revolution. Changing the spindle speed modifies the cut feedrate.

Maximum Limits for Computation

Here you can set the Max Spindle Speed and Max Cut Feed (Cf) values. Once these two values are set, the Spindle Speed and Cut Feed calculated by this dialog will not exceed these values even if you attempt to enter higher values into the Computed Variables fields. To exceed these values, change them here or you must edit the operation or tool parameters manually.

Computed Variables

The variables for Spindle Speed and Cut Feed (Cf) are computed for you based on the selections made in this dialog but will not exceed the values set in the Maximum Limits for Computation section of the dialog. These values are then assigned to the active toolpath operation or tool. You can override either of these variables and the other will update automatically. Since this dialog is a Feeds & Speeds Calculator, you cannot override both values. To do so, you must edit the operation or tool parameters manually.