Understanding high-speed machining, or HSM as it's abbreviated, can be difficult for the simple reason it's defined in so many different ways, according to Bob Warfield of the CNCCookbook. As he explains in the eighth episode of The CNC Chef video series, HSM means a lot of things to different folks, but it's best to think of it as a coordinated set of techniques designed to increase machining productivity.

While some people define HSM as being all about high spindle speeds and the feedrates that go with them, others say it's all about smaller stepovers and even more accelerated feedrates as chip thinning begins to take effect, Warfield explains. Still others define HSM as special CAM toolpaths that ensure constant tool engagement angles.

About The CNC Chef Video Series: Bob Warfield founded CNCCookbook.com and built it up to be one of the most popular CNC Blogs on the Internet. Thanks to his work with CNCCookbook and the G-Wizard software series, Warfield routinely receives questions from shops all over the world. For more information about the CNC Chef, visit his website here.