[Luftegrof]

Right now we are using a standard TPG insert 3" body with 5 inserts. I do a lot of full sheet nesting on a Gantry Router and am trying to find a faster way to mill down large areas in thickness. We are currently doing a 75% step over at 5000rpm and a 0.100" step down. Does anyone have any better ideas? The spindle is a 15hp 10,000 rpm spindle.

[ToolHIT]

The best option to mill laminated hardwood as fast as possible would be a Diamond Coated Insert with positive free cutting top rake allowing you to at higher RPM at a deeper Axial DOC (or step down, I'd keep the step over the same). Here is info on the cutter I'd recommend:

Cutter: 3" Dia x 1" Arbor x 5 Flute x 45° Facemill
https://www.toolhit.com/collections/...ts/fmaca4300hr

Inserts: SEET Diamond Coated Inserts with .031" Corner Rad (4 Corners on a Insert)
https://www.toolhit.com/products/seet14magfn-ma-pd2000

Here are parameters:
Stepover: 75%
Axial DOC (or Stepdown): 0.150"
RPM: 6,600 (Cutter is balanced to 13,000 RPM)
CLPT: .004"-.014" (start at .006")
IPM: 198

This is a 45° cutter making it a free cutting face mill, that along with the positive geometry of the inserts allow for a deeper stepdown that won't be an issue for the 15 HP spindle. The Diamond Coated Inserts will give you the best tool life possible in the laminated hardwood and will allow you to run at higher RPM. Let me know if you have any questions on this. Hopefully it helps!

Mike