Material Removal Rate Calculator
Calculate volumetric material removal rate, estimate machining time, optimize productivity, and verify spindle power requirements. Essential tool for production planning.
Calculate Material Removal Rate
Full depth along tool axis
Width of cut (stepover)
For machine utilization check
💡 Quick Guide
Mode 1: Calculate MRR
Enter cutting parameters to find volumetric removal rate and power needs
Mode 2: Calculate Time
Input volume to remove, get estimated machining time
Mode 3: Optimize
Set target MRR and get recommendations to reach it
Formula:
MRR = Axial Depth × Radial Depth × Feed Rate
⚠️ Tip: For roughing, use axial depth = 1-2× tool diameter for maximum productivity.
Understanding Material Removal Rate
Material Removal Rate (MRR) is the volume of material removed per unit time during machining operations. It is the primary metric for evaluating machining productivity and is essential for production planning, cost estimation, and process optimization.
Formula
MRR = ap × ae × vf- ap = Axial depth of cut (mm) - depth along tool axis
- ae = Radial depth of cut (mm) - stepover width
- vf = Feed rate (mm/min)
- MRR = Result in mm³/min (÷ 1000 for cm³/min)
Example: ap = 3mm, ae = 8mm, vf = 2000 mm/min
MRR = 3 × 8 × 2000 = 48,000 mm³/min = 48 cm³/min
Why MRR Matters
- •Production Planning: Calculate accurate machining times for job quoting
- •Productivity: Higher MRR = faster part completion and lower cost per part
- •Power Requirements: MRR directly determines spindle power needed
- •Optimization: Balance between speed (high MRR) and tool life
Typical MRR Ranges
| Operation Type | MRR Range (cm³/min) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Super Finishing | 1 - 10 | Mirror finish, tight tolerances |
| Finishing | 5 - 30 | Good surface finish, dimensional accuracy |
| Semi-Finishing | 20 - 80 | Moderate finish, preparing for final pass |
| Standard Roughing | 50 - 200 | Fast material removal, typical production |
| Aggressive Roughing | 100 - 500 | High-performance machining, rigid setup |
Power Requirement Calculation
The power needed for machining is directly related to MRR:
Net Power (kW) = (MRR in mm³/min × Specific Cutting Force) / 60,000Gross Power (kW) = Net Power / Machine Efficiency (typically 70%)Specific cutting force varies by material: Aluminum ~500 N/mm², Steel ~1700 N/mm², Stainless ~2200 N/mm², Titanium ~1800 N/mm².