The tools used in commercial surface mining operations can weigh well over a thousand tons and cost more than $100 million. Whether you’re using a hydraulic shovel, large wheel loader, or underground mining truck, you need the equipment you invest in to be able to sustain long-term wear and tear. That’s why speed and feed is an important consideration when you’re calibrating mining machinery.
The phrase “feed and feed” refers to the feed rate and cutting speed, respectively, of a machine operation. These velocities are separate, but they are often measured in conjunction because of the combined effect they have on a machine’s mining function.
Tools like the cutting speed calculator can be used to calculate speed and feed based on variables such as surface feet per minute and revolutions per minute.
“I Feel The Need, The Need for Speed & Feed”
The end goal of any surface mining operation is to optimize the speed and feed rates achieved by a machine. Why is this important? The speed rate is vital to determining the rate at which surface material is cut, and it may be tempting to maximize this measurement in order to increase machine output.
Remember, though, that the goal is to optimize — not necessarily increase — the speed and feed rating. If a machine’s cutting speed is set too high, it will quickly increase the temperature and shorten the lifespan of the machine substantially. On the other hand, if the cutting speed is not fast enough, it may cause the drill to become chipped or broken.
The feed rate of a mining machine is just as important as its speed input. Feed rate can be measured in a number of different ways, but it’s commonly calculated by feet per hour. This refers to the number of revolutions the bit or spindle achieves within a specific distance – usually feet or inches. Finding this measurement is essential to optimizing the speed and feed input for a mining machine and thus achieving the best output results. It’s also important when you’re using a tool such as an endmill to process heavy metals such as titanium, aluminum, or stainless steel.
Critical Input Parameters to Determine the Output Of A Machine Tool
When you’re attempting to calculate the output of your mining machine, you must be precise in the input parameters you select. This is true of speed and feed as well as any other input variables that may be used in your calculations.
Drilling in surface mining relies on accurate measurements, so using a calculator is one of the best ways to find the optimal output before beginning operations. Just remember that most calculators will be based on theoretical values that should only be used for planning purposes. The actual results achieved from calculations can vary widely.
In order to achieve the most accurate and useful calculations, though, you should be careful to input the most precise information available. You will likely need measurements such as your machine’s revolutions per minute, tool diameter, and surface feet per minute in order to accurately find the optimal speed and feed rating.
