Download the custom tool library for ABS here.
What is ABS?
ABS, or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, is a terpolymer, meaning a combination of three polymers. ABS is a versatile, impact-resistant material that is easy to add color to and construct things with.
What is ABS used for?
ABS is commonly used for vacuum forming, 3D printing, protective equipment, hardware, and everybody’s favorite interlocking building blocks (Lego).
Where can I get ABS?
ABS can be be found at hobby shops, arts and crafts supply shops, and plastic specialty stores.
What's the best way to fixture ABS to the bed of the milling machine?
We recommend Scotch Permanent Double-Sided Tape for thinner sheets of material and high-strength double-sided tape for thicker sheets and blocks. Avoid using hot glue, as ABS melts easily; its ability to deform under heat is what makes it useful for vacuum forming.
What end mill should I use when milling ABS?
ABS works very well at most feeds and speeds with smaller tools. With larger tools, such as 1/8" end mills, creating too much heat by going too slowly through the material at too high a spindle speed will cause shredded material to stick to the bottom of your cut.
Recommended Feeds and Speeds
To make it easier to use these recommended feeds and speeds, we’ve created a way for you to quickly import all the settings you see listed below into our software. To do this, download the ABS Custom Tool Library, which contains all the recommended feeds and speeds for this material. Then open our software, click File > Tool Library, click the “Import” button, and select this file. Before using these settings, it’s a good idea to read through our Feeds and Speeds Guide.
Download the ABS Custom Tool Library here.
Note: The feeds and speeds below are optimized for the V2 Othermill. If you're using a Bantam Tools Desktop PCB Milling Machine, Othermill Pro, or Kickstarter Othermill, you may need to experiment to find optimal settings.
Tool: 1/8" flat end mill
Please refer to the feeds and speeds in the Advanced section below. Slower speeds for tools larger than 1/16" are non-optimal for ABS.
Tool: 1/16" flat end mill
Feed rate: 23.622 in/min (600 mm/min)
Plunge rate: 1.575 in/min (40 mm/min)
Spindle speed: 12,000 RPM
Max pass depth: 0.009" (0.228 mm)
Tool: 1/32" flat end mill
Feed rate: 23.622 in/min (600 mm/min)
Plunge rate: 1.575 in/min (40 mm/min)
Spindle speed: 12,000 RPM
Max pass depth: 0.009" (0.228 mm)
Tool: 1/64" flat end mill
Feed rate: 23.622 in/min (600 mm/min)
Plunge rate: 1.575 in/min (40 mm/min)
Spindle speed: 12,000 RPM
Max pass depth: 0.009" (0.228 mm)
Tool: Engraving bit
Feed rate: 40 in/min (1000 mm/min)
Plunge rate: 1.575 in/min (40 mm/min)
Spindle speed: 12,000 RPM
Max Pass Depth: 0.006" (0.15 mm)
Note: Keep in mind the engraving tool has a variable width, depending on your “engraving cut depth.” The deeper the cut, the wider the tool. The shallower the cut, the narrower the tool. If you’re using an engraving tool and the generated path isn’t cutting part of your SVG file, try reducing the engraving cut depth.
Advanced Feeds and Speeds
Warning: These settings are for advanced users. Before using any of the information provided here, you must read the section above on attaching your material to the machining bed. The feeds and speeds specified here are more aggressive (and thus faster and more fun), and improperly fixtured material can be knocked loose and damage itself as well as your machine.
Tool: 1/8" flat end mill
Feed rate: 59 in/min (1500 mm/min)
Plunge rate: 1.575 in/min (40 mm/min)
Spindle speed: 16,400 RPM
Max pass depth: 0.05" (1.27 mm)
Tool: 1/16" flat end mill
Feed rate: 50 in/min (1270 mm/min)
Plunge rate: 1.575 in/min (40 mm/min)
Spindle speed: 16,400 RPM
Max pass depth: 0.05" (1.27 mm)
Tool: 1/32" flat end mill
Feed rate: 40in/min (1000 mm/min)
Plunge rate: 1.575 in/min (40 mm/min)
Spindle speed: 16,400 RPM
Max pass depth: 0.02" (0.508 mm)
Tool: 1/64" flat end mill
Feed rate: 30 in/min (762 mm/min)
Plunge rate:1.575 in/min (40 mm/min)
Spindle speed: 16,400 RPM
Max pass depth: 0.01" (0.254 mm)
Tool: Engraving bit
Feed rate: 59 in/min (1500 mm/min)
Plunge rate: 1.575 in/min (40 mm/min)
Spindle speed: 16,400 RPM
Max Pass Depth: 0.006" (0.15 mm)
Note: Keep in mind the engraving tool has a variable width, depending on your “engraving cut depth.” The deeper the cut, the wider the tool. The shallower the cut, the narrower the tool. If you’re using an engraving tool and the generated path isn’t cutting part of your SVG file, try reducing the engraving cut depth.