Machining Calculator Software (FREE)

[RLC]

I have gained a great deal from the “ZONE” over the past 1½ yrs and would like give back a little to the members. I’m currently writing a small program that calculates various values that seem to be used while machining. Not knowing actually any of the formulas I began searching, and it appears that speed and feed are the most requested. Below is a list of what it can do so far along with the formulas that I used. If any of the formulas are incorrect please let me know so they can be corrected and any other function (along with formulas) that would be useful in the “hobby shop”. Keep in mind that I am self taught in VB and that my skills are limited.

Current Functions:

*Spindle Speed: speed = (cs)*3.82 / d
CS = the sfpm of the material
D = diameter of the cutting tool
There is also a chart that can be edited for the different material CS values.


*Feed Rate: feed = (chip load) * (# of flutes) * (spindle RPM)

*Fractional to Decimal converter: (for those of us that need it)

There is a database associated with the program so adding things as far as like drill sizes,Tap drills etc wouldn’t be hard to incorporate into the program. As I stated, I’m open to suggestions as far as what else would be nice to have, but I might not be able to accomplish all that is requested.

[jackson]

are you wrighting this as a program you cam down load

[jackson]

my communications software has a pretty good calculator i use multi DNC v 7.0 build 28

[RLC]

yes, this will be a free downloadable program.

[jackson]

thats good you can never have to many calculators

[Brunow]

COOL!
And... maybe add some formula's to calculate the machine itself?

thumbs up!

[RLC]

Brunow,
Looking at the attachment it would be fairly easy to do...just need to get one part of program up and de-bugged before adding any additional features
thanks for the file

[Brunow]

now that's some good news to start the day with!

[RLC]

I have added a converter to go from decimal to fraction (in 64th). I was searching last night for some reference material for the suggested sfpm of various metals, didn’t find exactly what I was looking for, does anyone know of a web site that offers a chart or should I just get the latest “machinist handbook”? I would like to populate the database with some of the more common metals, aluminum, mild steel, tool steel, brass, stainless etc. for both “HSS” and “Carbide” tooling. While testing the application I did notice that placing a high “sfpm” say 400 and using a .250 tool resulted in a suggested RPM of 6112. Most mills “Hobby Class” don’t turn this fast, so is how is this overcome in the shop? Crank the RPM as high as you can and let’r rip?
Thanks in advance

[RLC]

Here is a screen shot of what it looks like so far, let me know what you think

[Brunow]

No idea how you do it. But it looks kinda cool!
Nice idea adding some value converter to it. decimal - fraction. Maybe add inch - mm allso? (http://www.digitaldutch.com/unitconverter/index.htm)

[RLC]

Brunow,
I will be adding a “metric” option to the program once I get the “inch system” going or I might just re-write (copy and paste…lol) a whole new program. Seeing how you are in Belgium, when it comes to machining formulas do you use the “inch” or “metric” system and do you have any links to the metric formulas?