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Calcimator

Tool Life Calculator

Calculate expected tool life using the Taylor tool life equation from cutting speed, reference data, and the Taylor exponent.

Inputs

SFM
SFM
min

Results

Expected Tool Life

14.2 min

Parts per Tool (5 min cycle)3
Speed for 30 min Life332 SFM
Speed for 60 min Life279 SFM
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter the actual cutting speed and the reference speed from your Taylor tool-life data.
  2. Set the reference tool life (minutes) and Taylor exponent n for your workpiece-tool combination.
  3. Review expected tool life (minutes) at the current speed and estimated parts per tool edge.
  4. Adjust cutting speed to balance tool life and productivity — faster speeds reduce tool life exponentially.

How the result changes with Cutting Speed

Cutting SpeedExpected Tool Life
5095.4 min
1,7570 min
3,2540 min
4,5010 min

What each input means

Cutting Speed
Actual or planned cutting speed.
Reference Speed
Known cutting speed from test data or manufacturer.
Reference Tool Life
Tool life at the reference cutting speed.
Taylor Exponent (n)
Taylor exponent: HSS ≈ 0.1, carbide ≈ 0.2-0.25, ceramic ≈ 0.5-0.7.

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Cutting Speed = 400, Reference Speed = 300, Reference Tool Life = 45, Taylor Exponent (n) = 0.25 = 4 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Expected Tool Life
    Expected Tool Life = t
    14.2 = 14.2
  3. Calculate Parts per Tool
    Parts per Tool
    3 = 3
  4. Calculate Speed for 30 min Life
    Speed for 30 min Life
    332 = 332

Engine last updated . Checked against 1 independently-derived test — how we verify calculators.

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