Section: Formulas

Reference

Formulas

Quick reference of all key equations across machining, forming, casting and welding.

29 topics
Must-knowCards marked with the star are the high-yield formulas — focus here first.

Machining

8 formulas4 must-know
Must-know

Cutting Speed

V = πDN / 1000

Where: V = cutting speed (m/min), D = workpiece diameter (mm), N = spindle speed (RPM)

Must-know

Material Removal Rate

MRR = V × f × d

Where: V = cutting speed, f = feed (mm/rev), d = depth of cut (mm)

Must-know

Machining Time

T = L / (f × N)

Where: T = time (min), L = length of cut (mm), f = feed (mm/rev), N = RPM

Cutting Force

Fc = Ks × A

Where: Fc = cutting force (N), Ks = specific cutting force, A = uncut chip cross-section

Cutting Power

P = Fc × V / 60

Where: P = power (kW), Fc = cutting force (N), V = cutting speed (m/min)

Must-know

Taylor's Tool Life Equation

V · Tⁿ = C

Where: V = cutting speed (m/min), T = tool life (min), n = exponent (HSS ≈ 0.1, carbide ≈ 0.2–0.4, ceramic ≈ 0.5–0.7), C = constant (≈ V at T = 1 min)

Chip Thickness Ratio

r = t₀ / tc (r < 1)

Where: t₀ = uncut (undeformed) chip thickness, tc = deformed chip thickness; used to find shear angle: tan φ = (r·cos α) / (1 − r·sin α)

Surface Roughness (Turning)

Ra ≈ f² / (8 · R)

Where: Ra = arithmetic-mean roughness, f = feed (mm/rev), R = tool nose radius (mm)

Forming

11 formulas7 must-know
Must-know

True Stress & Strain

σₜ = F / A εₜ = ln(L / L₀) = ln(1 + e)

Where: σₜ = true stress, εₜ = true strain, e = engineering strain

Must-know

Flow Stress

σₜ = K · εₜⁿ

Where: K = strength coefficient, n = strain-hardening exponent

Must-know

Rolling Force

F = Yf · L · w L = √(R · Δh)

Where: Yf = flow stress, L = contact length, w = width, R = roll radius, Δh = draft

Must-know

Maximum Draft (Rolling)

Δh_max = μ² · R

Where: μ = friction coefficient between roll and work, R = roll radius. Beyond this, rolls slip and cannot bite.

Reduction (Rolling)

%R = ((t₀ − tf) / t₀) × 100

Where: t₀ = entry thickness, tf = exit thickness

Must-know

Drawing Force

σ_d = Yf · ln(A₀ / A_f)

Where: σ_d = drawing stress, A₀ = initial area, A_f = final area

Must-know

Bend Allowance

BA = (π/180) · α · (R + k·t)

Where: α = bend angle, R = inside radius, t = thickness, k = factor (0.33–0.5)

Deep-Drawing Ratio

DR = D₀ / Dp

Where: D₀ = blank diameter, Dp = punch diameter (LDR ≈ 2.0–2.2)

Sheet-Metal Clearance

c = a · t (a ≈ 0.04–0.08)

Where: c = punch–die clearance, t = sheet thickness, a = allowance factor (4–8 % for cold-rolled steel)

Must-know

Shearing / Punching Force

F = L · t · τ

Where: L = perimeter of cut (mm), t = sheet thickness (mm), τ = shear strength of material (MPa)

Stamping Energy

E = 1.16 · F · p · t / 12

Where: E = energy (ft·lb), F = punching force (lbf), p = punch penetration (fraction of t), t = sheet thickness (in). Empirical formula for press selection.

Casting

6 formulas4 must-know
Must-know

Chvorinov's Rule

t = B · (V / A)²

Where: t = solidification time, B = mould constant, V/A = casting modulus

Riser Design

(V/A)_riser > (V/A)_casting

Where: Riser must solidify after the casting it feeds

Must-know

Sprue Taper (Aspiration-free)

A₁ / A₂ = √(h₂ / h₁)

Where: A = cross-sectional area, h = height from sprue base

Must-know

Pouring Time

t = K · √W

Where: t = pouring time (s), W = casting weight (kg), K = empirical constant

Must-know

Centrifugal Casting

G = ω²r / g N = (30/π) · √(G·g / r)

Where: G = G-factor, ω = angular velocity, r = radius, N = RPM

Shrinkage Allowance

Δ = L × (s / 1000)

Where: L = pattern dimension (mm), s = linear shrinkage (mm/m). Typical: cast iron 10, Al alloys 15, brass 16, steel 21, lead 24.

Welding

4 formulas3 must-know
Must-know

Heat Input

H = (V · I · 60) / (v · 1000)

Where: H = heat input (kJ/mm), V = voltage, I = current, v = travel speed (mm/min)

Must-know

Resistance Welding Heat

Q = I² · R · t (effective Q = k · I²Rt, k ≈ 0.6)

Where: Q = heat (J), I = current (A), R = joint resistance (Ω), t = time (s); k accounts for losses (≈ 40 % lost in spot welding).

Arc V–L Characteristic

V = a + b · L

Where: V = arc voltage, L = arc length (mm), a, b = electrode/process constants. Example (DC arc): V = 20 + 40·L.

Must-know

Duty Cycle

DC% = (Operating / Total) × 100 I₂ = I₁ · √(DC₁ / DC₂)

Where: Relationship between welding current and duty cycle