Work out milling depth of cut instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.
Depth of cut is usually limited by spindle power rather than tool strength. Rearranging the removal rate relation, the deepest cut the machine can drive is available power divided by unit power, width and feed. Working at 80 percent of that leaves headroom for a hard spot or a dull edge.
Power limited depth
Depth = (hp / unit power) / (width x feed)
Depth = (hp / unit power) / (width x feed). Depth of cut is usually limited by spindle power rather than tool strength.
Often. On long thin tools or light machines, chatter sets in well below the power limit, and the practical depth is set by the ratio of tool length to diameter instead.
This calculator takes 4 inputs: Available spindle power, Width of cut, Feed rate, Unit power for material. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic worked example — replace them with your own site or project figures.