My shop keeps messing up the feed rate on our old Mazak lathe

I mean, I see it at least twice a week. Someone will set the feed for a finish pass at like .012 per rev on 6061 aluminum, and it leaves a terrible finish. The manual says .005 to .007 for a good surface. I know it's an old machine, but the numbers don't lie. I had to re-run a 50-part order last month because the first ten looked awful. How do you guys handle feed rates on older equipment? Do you just follow the book or go by feel?

2 comments

2 Comments

mary_martin221d ago

The book is more of a rough guide on those old girls.

sullivan.spencer1d ago

Ever feel like the manual is judging you? I swear our old Okuma reads my mind and picks the worst time to get fussy. I try to stick to the book, but sometimes I'll creep the feed up a tiny bit if the chips look right and listen for that happy sound.