Which term communicates the feed rate of a cutting operation in a part program?

Which term communicates the feed rate of a cutting operation in a part program?

• A. F code
• B. M code
• C. Cycle time
• D. Process planning

Answer: (A)

Feed rate is the speed at which the cutting tool advances along the programmed path. In CNC programming this speed is communicated with the F code. It appears with cutting moves (for example, when you issue a linear or arc move) and sets how far the tool travels each minute—typically in millimeters per minute or inches per minute. The F value remains in effect for subsequent cutting moves until you change it with another F instruction. The other options don’t control the cutting speed: M codes handle auxiliary functions like turning the spindle on or off and controlling coolant; cycle time is the total duration to complete a cycle, not a command that sets speed; process planning is a higher-level activity, not a machine instruction in the program.

Feed rate is the speed at which the cutting tool advances along the programmed path. In CNC programming this speed is communicated with the F code. It appears with cutting moves (for example, when you issue a linear or arc move) and sets how far the tool travels each minute—typically in millimeters per minute or inches per minute. The F value remains in effect for subsequent cutting moves until you change it with another F instruction.

The other options don’t control the cutting speed: M codes handle auxiliary functions like turning the spindle on or off and controlling coolant; cycle time is the total duration to complete a cycle, not a command that sets speed; process planning is a higher-level activity, not a machine instruction in the program.