Which cutting variable indicates how quickly the cutting tool moves along the surface of the workpiece?

Which cutting variable indicates how quickly the cutting tool moves along the surface of the workpiece?

• A. feed
• B. Spindle speed
• C. Depth of cut
• D. Step over

Answer: (A)

The cutting variable that controls how fast the tool advances along the surface of the workpiece is feed. Feed tells the machine how far the tool moves along the length of the work each pass (for turning) or per revolution, effectively setting the axial progression across the surface. In other words, it is the rate of tool travel over the surface while removing material. Spindle speed, on the other hand, is about how fast the tool or workpiece rotates, which affects chip formation and surface finish but not the actual forward travel along the surface. Depth of cut determines how deep the tool penetrates into the workpiece in a single pass, not the speed of travel along the surface. Step over controls lateral movement between passes, not the speed of travel along the surface.

The cutting variable that controls how fast the tool advances along the surface of the workpiece is feed. Feed tells the machine how far the tool moves along the length of the work each pass (for turning) or per revolution, effectively setting the axial progression across the surface. In other words, it is the rate of tool travel over the surface while removing material.

Spindle speed, on the other hand, is about how fast the tool or workpiece rotates, which affects chip formation and surface finish but not the actual forward travel along the surface. Depth of cut determines how deep the tool penetrates into the workpiece in a single pass, not the speed of travel along the surface. Step over controls lateral movement between passes, not the speed of travel along the surface.