Shop

Math

TABLE OF CONTENTS
TOPIC

PAGE

Introduction to Shop Math

Rounding Decimal Statements

Fractions

Fractions to Decimals

10

Adding and Subtracting Decimals

12

Shop Math and Part Prints

14

Formulas

19

Speed Formulas

20

Feed Rate Formulas

23

Tapping

27

Other Useful Formulas

29

Decimal Equivalent Chart

30

Introduction to Shop Math

In every machine shop there is one skill that is required to know no matter what type of
machining you are performing. That skill is math. The modern profession of machining revolves around
numbers. From calculating sizes to setting variables within a machine tool, numbers are used in every
aspect of the modern machining world. Most calculations are simple addition and subtraction, some
calculations use multiplication and division, while others require long formulas and have multiple steps
in order to find the final answer. No matter what you do in todays machining world, you will use
numbers. Knowing what to do with the numbers you find and see will directly impact not only the
shape of your work piece but also the performance of your machine.
Within the world of shop math, you will be learning about various equations and formulas that
modern machinists use in everyday operations. Equations are often used to find a length of an angular
cut while formulas are made to set speeds and feeds for cutting processes. Every math statement used
in todays shop math has a purpose. This course will not be full of equations and formulas that no
bearing on current functions and operations that are found in almost every shop in the region.
First and foremost, it is important to understand that most modern machine shops work in
decimal values. Even if a blue print is sent to them and lists the sizes only in fraction values, a machinist
will convert this value to a decimal. The reason is that decimal values are far more accurate than
fractional values. Plus it is easier to determine if a measurement is in tolerance by having it in decimal
format since most measuring tools display values in a decimal format as well. We will cover converting
fractions to decimals after we discuss a more important topic, speaking decimal statements like a
machinist.
Learning about and understanding how a machinist pronounces decimal values are just about
as important and writing the decimal statements themselves. I bet you did not know that there are
several ways to read a decimal statement. This is very important because just as if you were learning a
new language, machinists have a way of pronouncing numeric values as they relate to the machining
world.
Lets look at an example that you may have heard from your local TV station. ; Last night, the
weatherman on T.V. was talking about how much rain we received. It was less than an inch so he tells
you it was 8 tenths of an inch. Written as a decimal, this would be (.8). The next morning, he reports

we picked up 3 hundredths more overnight. This would be written (.03). All together, we picked up
eighty three hundredths of an inch of rain(.83).
To a machinist, it would be understood that we picked up Eight Hundred and Thirty
Thousandths of an inch of rain (.830). This is because machinists work to the thousandth of an inch in
measurement. Even though there werent any thousandths of an inch present, the statement is written
to reflect the accuracy of how machinists work. To see the difference of how machinists read and
speak decimals values versus standard school taught mathematics, refer to the chart below
School Math Decimal Pronunciation Method
1.0
0.1
0.01
0.001
0.0001

= One inch
= One tenth of an inch.
= One hundredth of an inch
= One thousandth of an inch
= One ten thousandth of an inch

Machinist Decimal Pronunciation Method

1.0
0.1
0.01
0.001
0.0001

= One inch
= One hundred thousandths of an inch
= Ten thousandths of an inch
= One thousandth of an inch
= One tenth of an inch

As you see, the only two things in common with both ways of reading decimal statements is the
Inch place and the Thousandths of an Inch place. Practice and working with decimals daily will help
reinforce the proper way a machinist pronounces decimal statements.
Complete the exercise on the following page by reading the statement and filling in numeric value
that you think the statement is trying to describe. All of the statements are written in the machinist
way of writing decimal values.

1. Three Hundred Fifty Thousandths

2. Ninety Five Thousandths
3. One Inch Two Hundred Twenty Nine Thousandths
4. Six Hundred Eighty Seven Thousandths and Five Tenths
5. Twelve Thousandths
6. Fifty Six Thousandths and Four Tenths
7. Seven Inches Nine Hundred Ninety Thousandths
8. Three Hundred Twelve Thousandths and Five Tenths
9. Eighty Four Thousandths and Two Tenths
10. One Inch Sixty Eight Thousandths and Seven Tenths
11. Seven Hundred Fifty Thousandths
12. One thousandth and Three Tenths
13. Seventeen Inches Three Hundred Thousandths
14. One Hundred Ninety Eight Thousandths and Two Tenths
15. Four Inches Forty Seven Thousandths
16. Three Tenths
17. Nineteen Thousandths and Seven Tenths
18. Eight Hundred Fifty Two Thousandths and One Tenth
19. Six Hundred Twenty Five Thousandths
20. Eighty Two Thousandths and Six Tenths

Practicing the exercise on the previous page will help understand position of numbers and how
to write out the numeric value for spoken decimal statements. You will have homework just like the
decimal statement exercise on the previous page. It will be located at the back of this book. Your
instructor also has copies of the exercise on the previous page so that you may test yourself to see how
your well you are progressing.

Rounding Decimal Statements

When school children are taught to convert fractions to decimals, they are often taught how to
round decimal statements to a certain number of places past the decimal point. Rounding in the
machining world has always been a touchy subject. This is mostly due to how machinists are taught
what to do with the extra values beyond a certain decimal place. Some are taught to drop the values
beyond the tenths place, some are taught to round. The machinists who say not to round mainly say so
because of confusion and inaccuracies that may arise from not knowing which direction to round
towards. If someone rounds one direction and another person round a different direction, this may
cause a variation that may result in mating parts not lining or fitting up correctly.
For example, if you have two workers creating threads on mating parts on separate machines
and one person chooses to round up on a decimal statement for the feedrate and the other chooses to
round down, the result is that one parts threads will be a little closer together and the other will be
further apart. This may cause the threads to bind up and the parts will not assemble. This is just an
example and the outcome will vary depending on more factors than just one decimal statement being
rounded. Rounding the decimal statements inaccurately starts the variance for how one thread is
different than the other.
There are a few places where rounding a decimal statement would be useful to obtain the most
accurate numeric statement allowable. Such a place would be when programming machine feeds and
speeds. Most machines only allow whole number values for speeds and only to the tenths place for
feeds. Typically, only the final answer of an equation is rounded but you will notice a difference of a
tenth or two if you round after each step of making a calculation. This is mostly due to performing
calculations on a calculator and not having to stop to round each step of the equation process before
continuing the calculation.
The rules for rounding are simple, for whole inch values, if the number is 0.4999 or less, the
decimal value is dropped and the whole number is used only. If the value is 0.5000 or higher, the value
will be rounded to the next whole number. For decimal statements, the required place to be rounded
8

will need to be known first. If a machine only reads in the thousandths place, then the number to the
right (the tenths place) will need to be rounded.
Use the following list to know what the value should be before rounding either up or down.
0.

0.0 to 0.4 Drop all number to the right of the 0

0.

0.5 to 0.9 Round the value to the next number

0.0

0.00 to 0.04 Drop all number to the right of the 0

0.0

0.05 to 0.09 Round the value to the next number

0.00

0.000 to 0.004 Drop all number to the right of the 0

0.00

0.005 to 0.009 Round the value to the next number

0.000 =

0.0000 to 0.0004 Drop all number to the right of the 0

0.000 =

0.0005 to 0.0009 Round the value to the next number

0.000 =

0.0000 to 0.0004 Drop all number to the right of the 0

0.000 =

0.0005 to 0.0009 Round the value to the next number

Since machinist most typically only deal with to the tenth place, there would be no need to
round beyond tenths. Any number beyond the tenth place is usually dropped with a few exceptions.
Knowing when to round can be a bit tricky and you will certainly need to consult a machines
manual to know which values need to be rounded and what actual values are used for various machine
functions.

Fractions
Fractions have been used through history to determine how much of an item has been taken
and how much of an item is left. Common fractions such as , , and are well known by most
people. Machinist use fractions only when they speak about things but not while they make
calculations. A machinist might say his job is completed but you will not hear him say that a slot is
wide or a hole is deep. The term without the benefit of the inch sign() does not refer to an actual
amount rather a portion of an unspecified amount and to speak in fractions without first referring to a
value would surely become confusing in a hurry!
When someone talks in fractions, it is universally known and regarded by machinists that
fractions are what is called an open tolerance feature, meaning they have a broad tolerance amount
and are considered to be for reference only. An example of this is that if you want to drill a very
9

accurate hole for a precision pin to fit in, you would not want to tell a machinist that you want a
diameter hole drilled. This would result in getting a hole that is roughly in diameter. What you
should tell the machinist is the EXACT size you want the hole and give him/her a tolerance for that hole
to fall in. If you are unsure of what was just stated above, please rest your concerns because we will
discuss sizing, tolerance and other machining data throughout your training.

Fractions to Decimals
Now that you have an understanding of how machinist read decimals, the next step is to learn
how to convert fractions to decimals. First and foremost, CNC machines do not use fractions in their
programming or in their settings. CNC machinists do not use fractions when making measurements and
calculations. As stated earlier, fractional values written on blue prints are almost always converted to
decimal values and then tolerance so that a measurement range can be obtained to a highly accurate
level.
The first step in learning how to read fractions is to know what a fraction is, how a fraction is
made up and what the major parts are called.
A fraction is a number statement which shows the value of how many parts are available from
a whole unit value. For example, if a pie is cut into 8 slices and 8 slices remain, a whole unit is still
present and it is written 8/8.
The first number is called the numerator. It is the number of equal parts remaining.
The second number is called the denominator. It shows how many equal parts that the whole
value was broken into.
In this case, there were 8 equal parts that make up one pie. Now, lets say that 3 pieces of pie
are taken from the plate. That would leave us with 5 pieces of pie remaining in the plate. That would
be written 5/8. The numerator would be 5 and the denominator would be 8. Notice that the bottom
number does not change when pieces of pie are removed since it represents the number of pieces that
we started with.
Below is a graphic that shows the pie as it is described above. The first picture shows the whole
pie and the second shows the pie with the pieces removed, represented by the gray shaded area.

10

One of the easiest ways to turn a fractional statement into a decimal statement is to divide the
top number (numerator) by the bottom number (denominator). As long as the top number is less than
the bottom number the result will ALWAYS be less than a whole number. To use our fraction example,
5 divided by 8 equals (5 / 8) = 0.625.
Now that you have the formula for converting any fraction into a decimal, work on the fractions
below and turn them into decimals. Before converting every fraction, go down the list try to see if you
know the answers to some of the more common fractions.

1. 1/4
2. 7/8
3. 5/16
4. 1/2
5. 11/16
6. 3/8
7. 13/16
8. 1/16
9. 3/4
10. 7/16
11. 1/8
12. 9/16
13. 5/8
14. 3/16
15. 15/16
The fractions listed above are from a standard machinist ruler called a scale. Scales are commonly
graduated in increments ranging from 1/8ths, 1/16ths, 1/32nds, and 1/64ths.
11

Memorizing the decimal equivalent of commonly used fractions is more than convenient, it is
essential. By having the sizes committed to memory, a machinist can readily calculate values and
quickly identify common fractional sizes when they are listed in their decimal form. This will help when
determining the tooling required when creating specific geometric shapes. Getting comfortable with
decimal equivalents is also useful when dealing with blue print reading as you will see in the next
lesson.
An important note when converting fractions to decimals is to be sure to write down your results
as you obtain them, then go back and double check your results. This will prevent transposition and
typographic errors while entering your formulas into a calculator or writing them on a piece of paper.

Adding and Subtracting Decimals

Now that you have the skills to convert fractions to decimals, it is time to learn some of the things
you can do with the decimals you have converted. The most basic skill is to add one decimal value to
another. The reason for this is mainly for movements from one geometric feature location such as a
hole location to another.
An example will be as follows: Lets say you have a inch diameter hole which is located 2 and 5/8
inches from the edge of a work piece. You then have another hole of the same diameter that is located
4 and 11/16 inches away from the first hole. Since all of your movements are based from a zero
location that is the edge of the part, you will need to calculate how far the second hole is from the
edge of the work piece. The formula is as follows:
Distance 1 + Distance 2 = Location of Hole 2 from Edge of the Work Piece.
Convert the fractions to decimals and then add them together in order to get the correct answer.
2 & 5/8 = 2.625

4 & 11/16 =

4.6875

2.625

4.6875

7.3125

12

Now that you have an understanding of why it is important to convert fractions to decimals as
well as adding and subtracting them, use your newly developed skills on solving the following
problems:
1. 6 27/64

3.9375

2. 12.375

2 9/16

3. 4 17/32

19/64

4. 8 1/2

17 13/16

5. 3 3/32

1.1562

6. .8125

11/32

7. 7.875

8 19/32

8. 2.0312

3.1875

9. 5 1/8

2 11/16

10. 9 5/16

6 5/8

11. 14.2812

8.4688

12. 6 3/16

4.3125

13. 2 3/4

27.2188

14. 3/64

21/32

15. 16 31/32

5 7/16

16. 1 27/32

4 9/16

13

Practicing not only converting but adding and subtracting decimals will help with calculating
missing dimensions and figuring measuring reference points when making parts.

Shop Math and Part Prints

Though you will learn more about Part Prints during Print Reading and Precision Measurement, it is
important to know that math skills used by machinists deal directly with calculating dimensions for
features as they appear on part prints.
A part print is a generic term to describe any sized sheet of paper which often shows a visual 2D
image of what the part will look like when machined. It is typically generated by a Computer Aided
Drafting (CAD) System and printed via an ink jet or laser printer. Information often included on the
print will be detailed dimensions, notations, symbols and abbreviations which might not mean much to
the average person but will be a sort of road map for a machinist so that the work piece will not only
look like the image on the print, but will also be functionally accurate as intended by the person who
drew it. Quite often, the term part print is called a Blueprint. Though this term may not be familiar to
most, to anyone who has spent time in the manufacturing world during the 60s to mid-90s, Blueprints
were the common term for what we know as part prints today. Often you will hear prints called by
either name and though the modern version is not truly a Blueprint, most people understand what the
person is asking for when they say that word. The reason the older type of prints were called a
blueprint is due to the coloring of the paper or information on a print as a result from the chemical
copying process of older hand drawn prints.
When a machinist receives a part print for production, one of the first things that are done is to
confirm that all the features to be machined are shown and dimensioned. Every feature that will need
to be machine must have a dimension that will allow the machinist to reference the location of the
feature to be machined to another feature that will be used as a starting point. Most times this will be
a straight edge of a work piece, possible the sides. Sometimes, an existing hole or shape is used. Most
times, the feature used for a starting point will have some importance to the feature being created,
either for alignment or functionality.
When locating features to be made, machinists usually group all of the features together than have
the same locating reference point so that they can perform as much machining as possible using that
reference point before moving to the next reference point for the next grouping of features to be
created. Most modern engineering firms try to use a single location as their sole reference point for all
14

the features that will need to be made. Often it is the intersection of two edges of the stock material.
Sometimes, especially on round work pieces, it is the center of the work piece so that all of the
features appear at equal distance from the center of rotation on the part.
Machinists use their math skills in order to gather the necessary values for the locations of each
feature to be machined. Some prints may be entirely in decimals, some may be in fractions while
others may have a combination of both.
Extracting information needed to make calculations is often a combination of several simple
and basic math calculations. You may need to add, subtract, multiply or divide to get an answer or
possibly a combination of up to all four.
For the example below, you will need to first find what the dimension is that is needed, extract
the values to be used for the calculation, then use a simple math formula to determine the answer. In
this case, we will need to find the ???? dimension that appears near the middle of the image. It is
considered a wall thickness for a simple slot to be machined in the work piece drawn. We know what
the distance from the edge of the part to the middle of the slot and we also know what the distance is
from the center of the slot to the edge of the slot. Using a subtraction statement, calculate what the
missing value is.

???? =

15

Sometimes, you will have a fraction and a decimal statement

???? =
Using the example above, figure out what the ???? dimension is. Be careful, there are several
dimensions on this exercise that do not have anything to do finding the ???? dimension. Study the
image and determine which values will be needed to create the math statement. You may need to
convert a fraction to a decimal in order to solve the problem.
Using the skills you have learned so far regarding fractions to decimals, look at the prints below and
on the following pages and find the missing dimensions that are labeled with letters. Be sure to
document the method you used to find the answer. If you cannot find a solution to one of the
questions, it is better to leave it blank than to guess.

A =

C =

B =

D =

16

A =

C =

B =

D =

The following two images contain common symbols and abbreviations that you will find on part
prints. Symbols and abbreviations are often used to save space on prints and to keep the notations
short and simple. The following two symbols and abbreviations will be used on the following images
and you will learn more of them as you progress through Print Reading and Precision Measurement.
= Diameter. This is a symbol used on prints to describe the measured distance across the middle
of a hole or round feature. Use the formula Diameter (D) / 2 ( /2) for finding the hole size, which is
also called the Radius.
Typ. = Typical This is an abbreviation which means that similar looking features found on a part
print that do not have dimensions will be this stated size or value. Abbreviations help save space and
de-clutter the print area.
Watch for the above stated symbols and abbreviations and you may need to use them in your
calculations.
17

A =

D =

B =

E =

C =

A =

E =

B =

F =

C =

G =

D =
18

Formulas
Formulas are used constantly throughout manufacturing to help solve all sorts of daily
problems. Everything from fractions to decimal conversions, threading feed and speed calculation,
feed rate calculations, spindle speed calculations to geometric and trigonometric functions use various
formulas that simplify those tasks. Having a working knowledge of the various formulas is not only
helpful with operations but also in learning how to plan and program CNC machines.
Formulas which machinists often use are kept on what is called a cheat sheet. This is nothing
more than a quick reference list of the most common formulas and their variables. Cheat sheets are an
industry wide term that represents any handy reference information specifically set up to aide in the
calculation of a mathematical problem which may be seen in day to day operations. The following
pages have several examples, formulas and exercises which you may use during your machining
experience.
A word of advice when working with formulas is to be sure to always write down the result of
each calculation before moving onto the next step. If you try to do everything at once, there will be a
good chance that you will make a mistake and come up with the incorrect result. Look at the following
example of a RPM speed formula.
RPM = 3.82 x SFM / D
If you use a calculator and key in the 3.82 incorrectly, lets say 3.28, you may not see the
mistake, then finish the equation without writing down the results from each part. This type of mistake
is common. It is called transposition error. This means that you have the correct numbers but they are
in the wrong sequence. If you do not confirm your findings, the mistake will not be caught and the
error, though seemingly small, may result in shorter tool life, improper part finish or worse, a scrapped
work piece.
One such mistake would look like this:
RPM = 3.82 x SFM / D
RPM = 3.28 x SFM / D
Do you see the mistake? Though the correct numbers are in there, just by misplacing the 8 and
2, you have completely distorted the calculation. It is very easy to miss. Another piece of advice is to
ALWAYS verify your results two more times to make sure you did not make a mistake in the
calculations. When you go back to verify you will see that your numbers do not match. If you have each

19

result written down as you perform the equations, you will easily see any mistake made, if you do not
write down your results, you will have no way to know where the mistake was made.

Speed Formulas
There are two types of speed formulas used when working on CNC machines. One is for
converting RPM (Revolutions Per Minute) into SFM (Surface Feet Per Minute) and vice versa, SFM to
RPM. The reasons for converting one to the other mainly relies on what mode the CNC machine you
are working on requires for operation. CNC machining centers usually require RPM to be programmed
but rely on SFM to help calculate RPM for the various sizes, materials and number of teeth on cutters.
CNC lathes require SFM to be programmed but use RPM to calculate maximum part speed based on
part size. Yes, it can become confusing but when you work with the various machines on a daily basis,
you will quickly learn which machines require what information. The most important thing to
remember is the formula which will help you in calculating the mode of speed designation required.

Revolutions Per Minute

To calculate RPM use the following formula:
RPM

= 3.82 x SFM / D

SFM

= Surface Feet per Minute

= Diameter of Tool

An example would be to take a 0.750 inch diameter cutter and have a requested SFM of 150.
The resulting formula and answer will be as follows:
RPM

= 3.82 x 150 / 0.75

RPM

= 573 / 0.75

RPM

= 764

When breaking down the equation, do one mathematical function at a time. Then put the
result of that first function on a new line with the rest of the formula. As you can see on the second
line, the product of 3.82 and 150 is 573. This is then divided by 0.75 and the result is the RPM of 764.
If for any reason, the result of this equation gives a decimal value, round your final answer to
the whole number non-decimal value.

20

Please calculate the RPM for each of the following examples using the formula
RPM

= 3.82 x SFM / D

1.

SFM=285

DIA.=.75

RPM = _____________

2.

SFM=325

DIA.=2.5

RPM = _____________

3.

SFM=840

DIA.=3.25

RPM = _____________

4.

SFM=625

DIA.=1.5

RPM = _____________

5.

SFM=382

DIA.=2.8125

RPM = _____________

6.

SFM=445

DIA.=1.2812

RPM = _____________

7.

SFM=282

DIA.=.4375

RPM = _____________

8.

SFM=875

DIA.=6.750

RPM = _____________

9.

SFM=638

DIA.=8.9375

RPM = _____________

10.

SFM=463

DIA.=12.625

RPM = _____________

21

Surface Feed Per Minute

To calculate SFM use the following formula:
SFM = .262 x D x RPM
D

= Diameter of Tool

RPM

= Revolutions Per Minute

An example of this will be to take a 1.25 inch diameter cutter and have a requested RPM of
1500. Round the final answer to the whole number, non-decimal value.
SFM = .262 x 1.25 x 1500
SFM = 0.3275 x 1500
SFM = 491.25
SFM = 491
Please calculate the SFM for each of the following examples using the formula
SFM = .262 x D x RPM

1.

RPM=1675

DIA.=1.25

SFM = _____________

2.

RPM=2400

DIA.=.625

SFM = _____________

3.

RPM=825

DIA.=8.4375

SFM = _____________

4.

RPM=3300

DIA.=.900

SFM = _____________

5.

RPM=1000

DIA.=5.2

SFM = _____________

6.

RPM=545

DIA.=8.75

SFM = _____________

7.

RPM=1875

DIA.=2.375

SFM = _____________

8.

RPM=145

DIA.=15.125

SFM = _____________

9.

RPM=5850

DIA.=.275

SFM = _____________

10.

RPM=1660

DIA.=3.875

SFM = _____________

22

Feed Rate Formulas

Feed rates, like Speeds are usually different from CNC machining centers to CNC lathes.
Machining centers usually operate in Feed Per Minute (FPM) while lathes move in Feed Per Revolution
(FPR). Why this is the way that they are will be explained in greater detail when you learn about each
type of machine tool.
When using the standard American system otherwise known as the Inch system, FPM is
expressed in Inches Per Minute (IPM) while FPR is often expressed in Inches Per Revolution (IPR).

Inches Per Minute

The formula for finding IPM on a machining center is as follows:

IPM = FPT x T x RPM

FPT

= Feed Per Tooth

= Number of Teeth

RPM

= Revolutions Per Minute

An example of this will be to have a tool with 7 teeth, with a 0.007 feed per tooth rotating at
1750 RPM.
IPM = 0.007 x 7 x 1750
IPM = 0.049 x 1750
IPM = 85.75
For normal milling operations, the FINAL answer from this equation is normally rounded to the
tenth place.
If you need to find SFM for a lathe, use the formula, IPM = IPR x RPM
The reason for this is that lathes only have one tooth while mills usually have tools with several
cutting teeth. You will mostly use the formula for machining centers since lathe usually operate in IPR.

23

Please calculate the IPM for each of the following examples using the formulas, round the final answer
to the nearest tenth place if needed.
IPM = FPT x T x RPM or

IPM = IPR x RPM

1.

FPT=.005

T=3

RPM=1500

IPM = _____________

2.

FPT=.0025 T=8

RPM=2200

IPM = _____________

3.

IPR=.007

RPM=1900

IPM = _____________

4.

FPT=.0035 T=4

RPM=1800

IPM = _____________

5.

IPR=.012

RPM=3300

IPM = _____________

6.

FPT=.009

RPM=2250

IPM = _____________

7.

IPR=.0068

RPM=2825

IPM = _____________

8.

FPT=.0032 T=3

RPM=1700

IPM = _____________

9.

IPR=.014

RPM=1100

IPM = _____________

10.

FPT=.0015 T=8

RPM=7500

IPM = _____________

T=6

24

Inches Per Revolution

Inches Per Revolution (IPR) commonly expresses the movement that an axis will travel per each
revolution of the spindle. It is the used mostly in lathe process calculations. Lathes use IPR in order to
maintain constant surface speed as the tool moves across the surface of a work piece at different RPMs.

The formula for finding IPR on a lathe is as follows:

IPR = IPM / RPM
IPM

= Inches Per Minute

RPM

= Revolutions Per Minute

An example of this will be to have a tool moving at 7.6 IPM and the spindle rotating at 2430
RPM.
IPR = 7.6 / 2430
IPR = .0031
The answer from this formula is usually rounded to the tenths place since lathes normally move
in values less than one whole inch.
Please calculate the IPR for each of the following examples using the formula
IPR = IPM / RPM

1.

IPM=18.5

RPM=1650

IPR = _____________

2.

IPM=33.

RPM=2900

IPR = _____________

3.

IPM=3.8

RPM=800

IPR = _____________

4.

IPM=21.

RPM=2000

IPR = _____________

5.

IPM=16.3

RPM=2750

IPR = _____________

6.

IPM=12.

RPM=1770

IPR = _____________

7.

IPM=30.

RPM=3650

IPR = _____________

8.

IPM=6.7

RPM=795

IPR = _____________

9.

IPM= 42.5

RPM=5400

IPR = _____________

10.

IPM=17.25

RPM=2125

IPR = _____________
25

Feed Per Tooth

There are occasions when a machinist will need to know the specific feed per tooth for a cutter.
This is usually when troubleshooting issues such as surface finish or tool load.
FPT = IPM / T / RPM
IPM
T
RPM

= Inches Per Minute

= Number of Teeth
= Revolutions Per Minute

An example of this will be to have a tool with 6 teeth moving at 96 IPM and the spindle rotating
at 4765 RPM.
FPT = 96 / 6 / 4765
FPT = 16 / 4765
FPT = 0.0034
The answer of this formula actually figured out to several more places beyond the tenths place
so it was rounded to the nearest tenth.
Please calculate the FPT for each of the following examples using the formula
FPT = IPM / T / RPM

1.

IPM=16.

T=5

RPM=1500

FPT = _____________

2.

IPM=12.

T=3

RPM=2200

FPT = _____________

3.

IPM=23.

T=4

RPM=1900

FPT = _____________

4.

IPM=17.

T=2

RPM=1800

FPT = _____________

5.

IPM=8.

T=1

RPM=3300

FPT = _____________

6.

IPM=14.

T=6

RPM=2250

FPT = _____________

7.

IPM=25.5

T=3 RPM=2825

FPT = _____________

8.

IPM=34.

T=8

RPM=1700

FPT = _____________

9.

IPM=6.5

T=2

RPM=1100

FPT = _____________

10.

IPM=72.5

T=10 RPM=7500

FPT = _____________
26

Tapping
Tapping, which is the operation of cutting threads into a hole on the work piece, requires that
you make two calculations in order for this function to work correctly. First, you will need to know
what the pitch is for the thread. This is a simple calculation. Every tap has a standard designation which
describes the size of the tap and the number of threads per inch. For example 5/8 11 means the tap
is 0.625 in diameter and has 11 threads per inch. To find the pitch, you divide the number of threads
per inch into the number one.
P = 1 / TPI
TPI = Threads Per Inch
P= 1 /11
P = 0.0909
This value is almost always rounded to the tenths place on most modern CNC machines.
Please calculate the Pitch (P) for each of the following examples using the formula listed above.

1.

5/8 x 11

THREAD PITCH = _____________

2.

x 20

THREAD PITCH = _____________

3.

3/8 x 24

THREAD PITCH = _____________

4.

7/8 x 9

THREAD PITCH = _____________

5.

x 13

THREAD PITCH = _____________

6.

1x8

THREAD PITCH = _____________

7.

#10 x 32

THREAD PITCH = _____________

8.

5/16 x 18

THREAD PITCH = _____________

9.

x 10

THREAD PITCH = _____________

10.

7/16 x 14

THREAD PITCH = _____________

27

Once you have determined the thread pitch value, you can move onto step two, the Feedrate
formula. This formula uses the pitch and multiplies it by the programmed RPM. For our example, we
will run our tool at 600 RPM.
IPM = P x RPM
P = Pitch
RPM = Revolutions Per Minute
IPM = .0909 x 600
IPM = 54.54
You now have the exact value needed to feed the tool into the work piece at 600 RPM. This will
result in an accurate thread form. If you change the RPM in any way, you will need to recalculate the
IPM each time.
Please calculate the IPM for each of the following examples using the formula listed above.

1.

5/8 x 11

600 RPM

IPM = _____________

2.

x 20

1250 RPM

IPM = _____________

3.

3/8 x 24

640 RPM

IPM = _____________

4.

7/8 x 9

335 RPM

IPM = _____________

5.

x 13

425 RPM

IPM = _____________

6.

1x8

180 RPM

IPM = _____________

7.

#10 x 32

1400 RPM

IPM = _____________

8.

5/16 x 18

980 RPM

IPM = _____________

9.

x 10

240 RPM

IPM = _____________

10.

7/16 x 14

650 RPM

IPM = _____________

28

Other Useful Formulas

Converting Metric to Inch:

Formula:

Converting Inch to Metric

Divide number by 25.4

Formula:

Multiply number by 25.4

Metal Removal Rate in Cubic Inches per Minute

MRR = W x D x F
W = Width of Cut
D = Depth of Cut
F = Feedrate
Time in Cut
TC = L / IPM
L = Length of Cut
IPM = Inches Per Minute Feed
Covert Degrees Minutes & Seconds to Decimal Degree
Divide Seconds by 60 first
Add result to Minutes
Divide Minutes by 60
Add result to Degrees
Example 15 24 18 into decimal Degree
Seconds to Decimal = 18 / 60 = .3
Add result to Minutes = .3 + 24 = 24.3
Minutes to Decimal = 24.3 / 60 = 0.405
Add results to Degrees = 0.405 + 15 = 15.405
15 24 18 = 15.405 in a decimal format

29