Enter the feed rate and the cutting speed into the calculator to determine the scallop height for a milling operation. The scallop height is a measure of the surface finish quality and is important for precision machining.
Scallop Height Formula
The following formula is used to calculate the scallop height:
h = (f / (2 * π * N))^2
Variables:
- h is the scallop height (inches)
- f is the feed rate (inches per tooth)
- N is the cutting speed (RPM)
To calculate the scallop height, square the feed rate divided by the product of 2 times pi times the cutting speed.
What is Scallop Height?
Scallop height is the height of the residual material left on the surface of a workpiece after a machining pass. It is a semi-circular bump that forms due to the path of the cutting tool. The scallop height is an indicator of the surface roughness and is critical in applications where surface finish is important. A smaller scallop height generally indicates a smoother finish.
How to Calculate Scallop Height?
The following steps outline how to calculate the Scallop Height:
- First, determine the feed rate (f) in inches per tooth.
- Next, determine the cutting speed (N) in revolutions per minute (RPM).
- Next, gather the formula from above = h = (f / (2 * π * N))^2.
- Finally, calculate the Scallop Height (h) in inches.
- After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.
Example Problem:
Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.
Feed rate (f) = 0.01 inches per tooth
Cutting speed (N) = 1000 RPM
