What is the main purpose of using feeds in machining?

The primary purpose of using feeds in machining is to control the movement of the tool during cutting. Feed rate determines how far the cutting tool advances into the workpiece with each revolution or stroke, facilitating consistent material removal and ensuring that the cutting tool effectively engages with the workpiece. Proper feed control allows for optimized machining parameters, which can influence the quality of the cut, surface finish, and overall efficiency of the machining process.

While aspects such as tool lifespan, material removal rate, and workpiece speed are influenced by feed, these choices do not encapsulate the direct function of feeds. The feed rate specifically dictates how the tool traverses the workpiece, impacting the dynamics of the cutting process and ensuring that the desired shape and dimensions are accurately achieved.