CNC router feeds and speeds for plastic: chip load chart

Feeds & speeds for plastic

43 sourced settings. By bit: 0.1mm V-bit · 0.5mm tapered ball nose bit · 1.5mm tapered ball nose bit · 1/16" flat end mill · 1/2" compression bit · 1/2" flat end mill · 1/4" ball nose bit · 1/4" compression bit · 1/4" flat end mill · 1/64" V-bit · 1/8" 30-degree V-bit · 1/8" ball nose bit · 1/8" compression bit · 1/8" flat end mill · 15.0mm 60-degree V-bit · 15.0mm 90-degree V-bit · 3/16" compression bit · 3/8" compression bit · 3/8" flat end mill · 4.0mm compression bit

Maker / bit	Material	Machine class	RPM	Feed IPM	Chip load (in)	Source
Sienci Labs	Plastics - Coarse Detail	hobby-light	10000	27.6	0.00138	source
Sienci Labs	Plastics - Fine Detail	hobby-light	10000	39.4	0.00197	source
Sienci Labs	Plastics	hobby-light	12000	72	0.006	source
Sienci Labs	Plastics - Coarse Detail	hobby-light	10000	78.7	0.00394	source
Sienci Labs	Plastics - Fine Detail	hobby-light	10000	118.1	0.00591	source
Sienci Labs	Plastics	hobby-light	12000	72	0.003	source
Sienci Labs	Plastics - V-Carving	hobby-light	17000	68.1	0.002	source
Sienci Labs	Plastics - Fine Detail/Engraving	hobby-light	22000	44.1	0.001	source
Sienci Labs	Plastics - 3D Carving	hobby-light	22000	66.1	0.0015	source
Sienci Labs	Plastics	hobby-light	10000	103.9	0.0052	source
Sienci Labs	Plastics - 3D Carving	hobby-light	27000	40.5	0.00075	source
Sienci Labs	Plastics	hobby-light	12000	72	0.003	source
Sienci Labs	Plastics	hobby-light	10000	103.9	0.0052	source
Sienci Labs	Plastics - Fine Detail/Engraving	hobby-light	22000	44.1	0.002	source
Sienci Labs	Plastics	hobby-light	12000	35.8	0.00299	source
Sienci Labs	Plastics	hobby-light	17000	51.2	0.00151	source
Sienci Labs	Plastics - V-Carving	hobby-light	17000	68.1	0.002	source
Sienci Labs	Plastics - Fine Detail/Engraving	hobby-light	22000	44.1	0.001	source
Amana Tool	Plastic	industrial	18000	60 ⚠	0.0031	source
Amana Tool	Plastic	industrial	18000	60 ⚠	0.0031	source
Amana Tool	Plastic	industrial	18000	220	0.0123	source
Amana Tool	Plastic	industrial	18000	40	0.0011	source
Amana Tool	Plastic	industrial	18000	60	0.0017	source
Amana Tool	Plastic	industrial	18000	80	0.0022	source
Amana Tool	Plastic	industrial	18000	110	0.0031	source
Amana Tool	Plastic	industrial	18000	200	0.0056	source
Amana Tool	Plastic	industrial	18000	280	0.0077	source
Amana Tool	Plastic	industrial	18000	300	0.0056	source
Amana Tool	Plastic	industrial	18000	350	0.0065	source
Freud Solid	Soft plastic	any	–	–	0.003–0.005	source
Freud Solid	Soft plastic	any	–	–	0.006–0.009	source
Freud Solid	Soft plastic	any	–	–	0.01–0.012	source
Freud Solid	Soft plastic	any	–	–	0.012–0.015	source
SpeTool V-groove	Plastic	any	18000	108	0.006	source
SpeTool V-groove	Plastic	any	18000	108	0.006	source
Vortex Solid	Hard plastic	any	18000	–	0.002–0.004	source
Vortex Solid	Soft plastic	any	18000	–	0.003–0.006	source
Vortex Solid	Hard plastic	any	18000	–	0.006–0.009	source
Vortex Solid	Soft plastic	any	18000	–	0.007–0.01	source
Vortex Solid	Hard plastic	any	18000	–	0.008–0.01	source
Vortex Solid	Soft plastic	any	18000	–	0.01–0.012	source
Vortex Solid	Hard plastic	any	16000	–	0.01–0.012	source
Vortex Solid	Soft plastic	any	16000	–	0.012–0.016	source

FAQ

What feeds and speeds for a bit in plastic on a hobby-light CNC router?
Published maker data (Sienci Labs) gives a chip load of 0.00075–0.006 in per tooth and a feed of 27.6–118.1 IPM (18 sourced rows). Start low and test in scrap.

What feeds and speeds for a bit in plastic on a industrial CNC router?
Published maker data (Amana Tool) gives a chip load of 0.0011–0.0123 in per tooth and a feed of 40–350 IPM (11 sourced rows). Start low and test in scrap.

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