Chris S wrote:

Hi everyone, I am currently a student and my teacher hasn't been able
to give me a real direct answer and everyone I ask just gives me what
DOC they use but I want to find out how to get the DOC.

Basically I was taking to deep of cuts and keeping the feed rate high
which I realized was wrong. So I am basically trying to find a formula
or a log or something that will help me determine a DOC.

For example I am cutting 6061-T6 Aluminum at using a 1/4 4 Flute
endmill with a FPM of 75 and a DOC of 0.025" and a Spindle Speed of
6000 since that is when the machine max's out. I understand where the
RPM, IPM, and FPM comes from and how to calculate them. I just have no
idea where the DOC comes from. So if anyone could explain it or give
me a formula it will greatly be appreciated.

If by FPM you mean surface feet per minute, at 6000 rpm you are near 400
FPM. Plenty of technical stuff in the other replies, so I would like to
know WTF are you using a 4 flute endmill in that material for? Get a 3
flute or high helix 2 flute and feed that puppy. And unless you are at
final depth, take a deeper cut. As far as calculating depth of cut, pretty
much, you don't. When looking at manufacturors speed & feed
recommendations, you will find some nice numbers to use. Then you will
notice the "fine Print", where they cop out by saying these are for
starting purposes only, rigidity of machine & setup, greater or lesser
depth of cut, radially or axially, will require variation to the...blah,
blah.....Some manufacturors charts are more detailed and get you closer to
more optimum cutting conditions than others. Some seem to be purposely
vague. Kind of a disclaimer, if you will.

michael