Reaming with Coolant

Reaming with Coolant
Reaming with coolant has many benefits.  Channeling the coolant through the tool to the cutting edge improves lubricity and reduces the temperature at the point of contact.  Reduced heat build-up and improved lubricity lead to lower wear and tear on the reamer that improves the life of the tool and reduces the cost per hole.  Depending on the application, the introduction of through the tool coolant may enable the operator to increase feeds and speeds which contributes to a lower cost per hole.  Hole finishes are improved due to the flushing of the chips away from the reamer/workpiece interface which reduces the scarring of the workpiece by previously cut chips.

Coolant fed reamers are used in long production runs.  They offer higher penetration rates, reduced cycle times and straighter/rounder holes.  They perform well in a wider range of materials then a non-coolant fed reamer.

Reasons to use Carbide Tipped Coolant Fed Reamers

Carbide tipped coolant fed reamers have an advantage over solid carbide coolant fed reamers.  When using carbide tipped coolant fed reamers the tool steel body can absorb shock loads better than a solid carbide coolant fed reamer with the same dimensions.  Carbide is brittle and has a tendency to break rather then bend.   The tool steel body of the carbide tipped reamer has more of a tendency to bend slightly rather than just breaking. 

Reaming Speeds and Feeds Using Coolant

Use the same formulas for speeds and feeds that you use for reaming without coolant.

Speeds and Feeds Formulas

RPM =  (SFPM*3.82)
         (TOOL DIAMETER)

IPM = (IPT)*(RPM)*(#Teeth)

IPR = IPM/ RPM

RPM = Rotations Per Minute
SFPM = Surface Feet Per Minute
TOOL DIAMETER = Diameter of the cutter in inches
IPM = Inches Per Minute
IPT = Inches Per Tooth
IPR=Inches Per Revolution

Here is a link to a reaming speeds and feeds chart.  There are two charts; one for reaming dry and one for reaming with coolant.

Check back with us next week.  We will be discussing some other aspects of reaming with coolant.  If you have any questions about reaming with coolant (or any other cutting tool questions) feel free to leave us a comment here on our blog or fill out the form on Super Tool’s Contact Us Page.

Bryan Enander
Super Tool, Inc.