Router Tooling, Feed Rates and Cutting Speeds
Tool Geometry
You always want to use the right tool for the job.
Different tool geometries produce different effects and results with the range of materials that can be cut on this machine.
| Tool Geometry | |
|---|---|
| Straight Flute | Will not lift material out of cut. |
| Spiral Flute | Spiral Flute lifts swarf or pushes it towards cut. depending on geometry |
| Flute Geometry | |
| Single Flute | Single Flute cutters only have one cutting edge. These are good for faster feed rates in softer materials. |
| Double Flute | Double Flute cutter have cutting surfaces and are good for cutting harder materials at slower feed rates. |
| Upcut Spiral | The geometry of an upcut spiral draws swarf up and out the top surface providing the best finish on the down side of the material |
| Downcut Spiral | The geometry of an downcut spiral draws swarf down and out the bottom surface providing the best finish on the upper side of the material. |
| Compression Cutters | Compression Cutter have both upward and downward spiral geometry that forces swarf both upward and down and produces a clean finish on both upper and under sides of the materials and is particularly useful in applications with laminated materials. |
| O Flute | Identified by the Half moon shape, OFlute cutters have a single flute that ejects swarf effeciently. As such they are suited to cutting timbers and plastics (softer materials ) at high speeds. |
Suggested Feed Rates - Soft woods/Plywood
| Tool Type | Tool Diameter | Spindle Speed | Feed Rate | Plunge Rate | Direction | Attribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Spiral | 3.175mm | 16,000rpm | 2,000mm/min | 1,000mm/min | Conventional | |
| Single Spiral | 6.35mm | 16,000rpm | 4,800mm/min | 3,000mm/min | Conventional | |
| Double Compound Spiral | 9.5mm | 12,000rpm | 11,280mm/min | 9,000mm/min | Conventional | |
| Double Compound Spiral | 10mm | 12,000rpm | 11,280mm/min | 7,000mm/min | Conventional | |
| Triple Compound Spiral | 10mm | 12,000rpm | 16,920/min | 12,000mm/min | Conventional | |
| Triple Compound Spiral | 12mm | 8,000rpm | 13,320/min | 11,000mm/min | Conventional |
Suggested Feed Rates - MDF, Particle Board
| Tool Type | Tool Diameter | Spindle Speed | Feed Rate | Plunge Rate | Direction | Attribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Spiral | 3.175mm | 16,000rpm | 2,240mm/min | 1,200mm/min | Conventional | |
| Single Spiral | 6.35mm | 16,000rpm | 5,280mm/min | 3,500mm/min | Conventional | |
| Double Compound Spiral | 9.5mm | 12,000rpm | 13,080mm/min | 9,500mm/min | Conventional | |
| Double Compound Spiral | 10mm | 12,000rpm | 13,080mm/min | 9,500mm/min | Conventional | |
| Triple Compound Spiral | 10mm | 12,000rpm | 16,920/min | 12,000mm/min | Conventional | |
| Triple Compound Spiral | 12mm | 8,000rpm | 15,360/min | 11,000mm/min | Conventional |
Suggested Feed Rates - Hardwood
| Material Size | Tool Diameter | Spindle Speed | Feed Rate | Plunge Rate | Direction | Attribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Spiral | 3.175mm | 16,000rpm | 1,680mm/min | 1,000mm/min | Conventional | |
| Single Spiral | 6.35mm | 16,000rpm | 4,800mm/min | 3,000mm/min | Conventional | |
| Double Compound Spiral | 9.5mm | 12,000rpm | 10,080mm/min | 8,500mm/min | Conventional | |
| Double Compound Spiral | 10mm | 12,000rpm | 10,080mm/min | 7,000mm/min | Conventional | |
| Triple Compound Spiral | 10mm | 12,000rpm | 15,120/min | 12,000mm/min | Conventional | |
| Triple Compound Spiral | 12mm | 8,000rpm | 12,120/min | 11,000mm/min | Conventional |
Suggested Feed Rates - Acrylic
| Material Size | Tool Diameter | Spindle Speed | Feed Rate | Plunge Rate | Direction | Attribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Spiral | 3.175mm | 16,000rpm | 6,000mm/min | 2,000mm/min | Climb | |
| Single Spiral | 6.35mm | 16,000rpm | 3,200mm/min | 1,500mm/min | Climb | |
| Double Compound Spiral | 9.5mm | 12,000rpm | 6,000mm/min | 2,000mm/min | Climb |
NOTES
The above setting are as suggested on page 194 of the Multicam A2MC Machine Installation and Training Manual unless noted in the ATTRIBUTION Column in ach Settings Table.
Feeds and Speeds for the Tangential Knife
Suggested Feed Rates - Corrugated Cardboards
| Material Size | Tool Length | Feed Rate | Plunge Rate | Direction | Attribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4mm Single Corrugated | 15mm | 5000mm/min | 2000/min | Conventional | |
| 7mm Single Corrugated | 15mm | 5000mm/min | 2000/min | conventional |
Suggested Feed Rates - Expanded Foam
These feed rates should be adjusted to suit design. Small radius curves should be cut slowly to minimize knife flex.
| Material Size | Tool Length | Feed Rate | Plunge Rate | Direction | Attribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50mm | 70mm | 2500mm/min | 1500mm/min | NA | TheEdge |
| 50mm(radius ⇐10mm) | 70mm | 1500mm/min | 1500mm/min | NA | TheEdge |
| 5000mm/min | 2000/min | NA | TheEdge |
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