ISO 513 & CNC Cutting Tool Formulas

We’ve developed several charts to help you better identify the best tool for your application. These charts are designed to assist you in the tool selection but keep in mind that factors such as material hardness, Toolholder TIR, workholding rigidity and many other factors can have an impact on tool performance.

ISO Color Codes

We’ve used the ISO 513 color coding system that you're already familiar with, and used on carbide inserts, to help you find the best tool based upon the material you're cutting. You can look for these codes throughout the website and in our catalog.

Non-Ferrous Alloys (green) aluminum and other non-ferrous metals, non-metal work materials

Stainless Steel (yellow) stainless austenitic and austenitic-ferritic steel and cast steel

Hi-Temp Alloys Special Alloys & Titanium (brown) high-temperature special alloys based upon iron, nickel and cobalt, titanium and titanium alloys

Steels (blue) all kinds of steel and cast steel, except rustproof steel with austenitic microstructure.

Cast Iron (red) cast iron with flake graphite, cast iron with spherical graphite, annealed cast iron

Hardened Materials (gray) hardened steel, hardened cast iron materials, chilled cast iron

Common Cutting Tool Definitions

A number of industry terms are used below. Some terms are interchangeable with others and are indicated by the “a.k.a.” Items in BOLD are the standards used in the formulas.

SFM = Surface Feet per Minute
SMM = Surface Meters per Minute
RPM = Revolutions Per Minute
IPM = Inches Per Minute (Feedrate)
MPM = Millimeters Per Minute (Feedrate)
IPT = Inches Per Tooth (a.k.a. CLPT)
MPT = Millimeters Per Tooth
CLPT = Chip Load Per Tooth (a.k.a. IPT)

CIM = Cubic Inches per Minute (a.k.a. MRR)
MRR = Metal Removal Rate (a.k.a. CIM)
HP = Horsepower of the machine tool
ADC = Axial Depth of Cut (a.k.a. ADOC/DOC)
RDC = Radial Width of Cut (a.k.a. RDOC/WOC)
RMS (Microinch) = (Ra/.0254) X 1.11 (Micrometer)

Cutting Tool Speed & Feed Formulas

Imperial
SFM = RPM X .262 X Tool Diameter
RPM = SFM X 3.82 ÷ Tool Diameter
IPM = RPM X IPT (CLPT) X Number of Flutes
IPT = IPM ÷ (RPM X Number of Flutes)
MRR = RDC X ADC X IPM (a.k.a. CIM)

Metric
SMM = RPM X .00314 X Tool Diameter
RPM = SMM X 318.057 / Tool Diameter
MPM =
MPT =

HP = KW X 1.342
KW = .7457 X HP
Torque (Full Load) = 5252 X HP ÷ RPM

Destiny recommends Climb Milling (as opposed to Conventional Milling) for most applications (assuming back-lash control in the machine).

Climb Milling generally allows better flute engagement in the material, resulting in more efficient machining and superior part finishes.

Conventional Milling can lead to work hardening in some ferrous materials.