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Cutting Force Calculator

Enter kc, depth of cut and feed — cutting force updates instantly.

Formula

Fc = kc · ap · f   (kc = specific cutting force, N/mm²)

Typical kc (N/mm²)

Materialkc
Aluminum alloys500–800
Cast iron1000–1400
Mild steel1800–2500
Alloy steel2500–3200

FAQ

Is this the total force on the tool?

It is the main (tangential) cutting force — usually the largest of the three components. Feed and radial forces are roughly 30–50% and 20–40% of Fc.

Why does kc rise at small feed?

At very small chip thickness the edge radius dominates and effective kc increases — add 20–30% margin for finishing cuts.