Does SFM Matter?

I used to worry with all this until I got G-Wizard. Once you set it for a Shapeoko with a 611, all you have to know aside from the obvious tool parameters and material type is the RPM you will be using. There is a chart on the wiki that has suggested RPM settings for various materials. Once I have everything plugged in, I use the slow/aggressive slider to get my chip load to the specs of the tool and get tool deflection acceptable. Then just plug everything into Fusion360’s CAM. I have not broken a tool since using G-Wizard and there’s processing power left in my brain to not screw up my offsets. In general, I have found that 50% on the aggressive/slow slider is conservative and well below the machine stall or tool breakage points. A good thing to remember is that on a low power machine like ours (under 1HP I think), G-Wizard requires no annual renewal fee after the initial purchase. I have easily saved enough money in tool life to pay for it.

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