The Feed Per Tooth Calculator is a machining tool used to determine the chip load per cutting tooth on a tool like a milling cutter or drill. This chip load, known as feed per tooth, directly affects machining performance, surface finish, and tool life. It’s essential in optimizing feed rates for CNC machines or manual milling processes. This tool falls under the Manufacturing and Machining Calculator category.
Using this calculator helps engineers and machinists prevent premature tool wear or damage, while maintaining productivity and safety. It’s especially important when adjusting speeds for tools with varying numbers of teeth or working with different materials.
formula of Feed Per Tooth Calculator
Feed Per Tooth (Fz) = Feed Rate / (RPM × Number of Teeth)
Where:
- Fz = Feed per tooth (in millimeters or inches per tooth)
- Feed Rate = tool movement over the material per minute (in mm/min or in/min)
- RPM = spindle speed (revolutions per minute)
- Number of Teeth = number of cutting edges on the tool
Supporting Formula:
If you already know the desired feed per tooth and need to calculate feed rate:
Feed Rate = Fz × RPM × Number of Teeth
This ensures the correct chip load for each tooth, avoiding overfeeding or underfeeding, both of which can lead to poor results or tool failure.
Reference Table: Common Feed Per Tooth Values
| Tool Type | RPM | Feed Rate (mm/min) | Teeth | Feed Per Tooth (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| End Mill | 3000 | 1800 | 3 | 0.20 |
| Face Mill | 1200 | 1440 | 4 | 0.30 |
| Carbide Drill | 2000 | 1600 | 2 | 0.40 |
| High-Speed End | 2500 | 1250 | 2 | 0.25 |
| Roughing Cutter | 1000 | 1000 | 5 | 0.20 |
This table helps you estimate standard values without recalculating each time.
Example of Feed Per Tooth Calculator
Suppose a machinist is running a 4-tooth end mill at 2000 RPM with a table feed rate of 1600 mm/min.
Feed Per Tooth = Feed Rate / (RPM × Number of Teeth)
Feed Per Tooth = 1600 / (2000 × 4) = 1600 / 8000 = 0.20 mm/tooth
This means each tooth cuts 0.20 mm of material per rotation.
Most Common FAQs
It helps control chip size and tool engagement. Proper values lead to better surface finishes and extended tool life.
Too little chip load can cause rubbing instead of cutting, leading to tool wear and heat buildup.
Yes. Just make sure all your values use the same unit system—mm or inches—throughout the formula.