The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
-----

Surface finish formula

I have a job requiring a surface finish of Ra 1.25 to 1.35 Is there a speed and feed formula I can use to accomplish this finish? I'm using a cnc machine with a 3" dia. cutter, and the material is nickel. Thank you, any help you can offer will be appreciated.

Mark Lathrup
CNC Machinist - Sterling Heights, Mich, USA
2004

For that kind of finish conventional CNC machines are not an easy option. Machines capable of that are specialized high precision extra stiff single point diamond cutting tool lathes. Certainly not for every kind of geometries. The common alternative is grinding and laping or craftsman hand stoning and polishing depending on how complex the shape is and of course volume.

Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
2004

You might use CNC grinding machine. I know that there is a supplier for such machines that can finish Ra less than 1.0

Alfred Kung
- Hong Kong
2004