'Feed rates & IPM'

star123 (220.226.172.246) -

Hello everyone. I need some expert advice on feed rates. I have a K2 CNC and I build guitars with it. I have been re-vamping my files to reduce the time spent on the CNC. I have been able to shave 45 minutes off the total time just by tweaking my feed rates and order that things are done. Used to take 2 hours and now at 1:15. Most of the time I am cutting alder wood with a .1/2" bit at 50 IPM and .25" depth of cut. This works very well on the alder wood but on the occasion that I cut something like Bubinga, it does bog down the router. So here are my questions... How fast of an IPM can I run my motors at without burning them out (Nema Steppers) even with no load. I have the max velocity set at 100 and am afraid to go any higher then that. Can I jog at 200, 300, 400 safely? - Anyone else cutting a similar wood to alder or other types, what feed rate do you cut at? - I've just been afraid to push the machine too hard for fear of damaging it. And because I am relatively new to this, I don't know what is appropriate as far as what are the maximum capabilities.

Comment #1 Neck Carver from San Diego - Sun & Fun -

I'm using a Haas VF-3 mill to carve our Banjo necks. I use a 1" ball mill 10000 rpm and 350 to 500 IPM. The machine has no problem working at these feeds and speeds. I mostly cut Maple and Mahogany .If your removing stock I would recommend using a 1" roughing ball mill to remove excess material. step over .150 leaving .1 of stock then finish with a 1" ball mill using a .025 step over. If you have contours that require a smaller ball mill come in after the 1" finisher to create them.

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