Carbide end mills: diameter, flutes and feed calculation
Diamond Cut · Milling guide
Carbide end mills: diameter, flutes & feed
Read the tool marking, select the material and milling operation, then convert cutting speed and feed per tooth into machine settings.
01Read the product name
In a marking such as D6×50-4F, D6 identifies a 6 mm cutting diameter and 4F identifies four flutes. Check the product’s dimension table for the meaning of the length value, cutting length and shank size. Do not treat the overall length as the usable cutting depth.
The HRC55 series marking is not a cutting-speed setting. Select parameters for the actual workpiece material and hardness.
02A worked example: 6 mm, four flutes
For slot milling carbon steel S45C/S55C, the supplied table lists Vc = 80–145 m/min and fz = 0.030 mm/tooth for a 6 mm tool. Its radial engagement is ae = 1×D and axial depth ap = 0.5–1×D.
| Calculation | Example |
|---|---|
| Choose a cutting speed within the table range | Vc = 100 m/min |
| n = (1000 × Vc) / (π × D) | Approximately 5,305 rpm |
| Vf = n × z × fz | 5,305 × 4 × 0.030 ≈ 637 mm/min |
This demonstrates the calculation, not a universal setting for every 6 mm cutter. Check machine capability, tool overhang, holding rigidity, chip evacuation and coolant before using the selected parameters. The supplied table advises reducing feed by about 20% if the machine is unstable.
03Choose the correct table row
The reference separates carbon steel, alloy/tool steel, stainless steel SUS304/SUS316 and hardened steel HRC40–50. Each has separate slot- and side-milling rows. The example above must not be reused unchanged for stainless steel, hardened steel or side milling.
In the table, ae/D is radial engagement and ap/D is axial depth. Feed per tooth fz is in mm/tooth, cutting speed Vc in m/min, spindle speed n in rpm and machine feed Vf in mm/min.
04Reference and selection help
Source: FEEDS AND SPEEDS MILLING table supplied by Diamond Cut. The store owner confirmed that it applies to the store’s carbide end mills. Use it together with the dimensions and application information for the chosen product.