--- title: When Your Cutting Tool Is Not to Blame - Understanding Acceleration & Deceleration in Machining description: Acceleration (ACC) and deceleration (DEC) are important factors when machining, there are many issues that can arise when changing directions and the effect it has on your cutting tool’s life. 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Acceleration in a straight line. ***Lateral*** - Acceleration while moving around a corner such as a radius needing to be generated. - Difficult to control this type of acceleration rate.   **Deceleration (DEC):** - Is required to permit a safe change in direction. - Machine decelerates to maintain the part tolerance while proceeding around a corner of the workpiece.   **Mass & Weight:** - These are both an issue when machining. - The machine must be capable of safely slowing the machine mass down to change directions.   Machine damage will occur if you manipulate the Acceleration/Deceleration rate of the machine control, such as ball screw damage, bad surface finishes and machine jerk.   **Example - High Performance Drilling:** - Hole is 1.5” Deep - Programmed at 380 IPM - Drilling TIC = 2 Tenths of a Second - The machine must change directions when at depth. - The machine will not achieve 380 IPM in this application due to ACC/DEC rates.   **Solution:** Program the tooling and monitor the actual feed rates.  This will allow you to optimize the tool life and maintain the actual programmed parameters.   From this tool tip, you now understand how great of an impact acceleration and deceleration rates have on your machining processes.  The next time a bottle neck arises, check your acceleration and deceleration rates before you blame the cutting tool. Tags: [Tool Tips](https://blog.fullertontool.com/topic/tool-tips) [Back to Blog](https://blog.fullertontool.com) ## Related Articles ## [Why Choose Carbide Cutting Tools Over Steel or Cobalt Cutting Tools](https://blog.fullertontool.com/why-choose-carbide-cutting-tools-over-steel-or-cobalt-cutting-tools) A common question we often receive is why should I choose carbide cutting tools over steel or... [Read More](https://blog.fullertontool.com/why-choose-carbide-cutting-tools-over-steel-or-cobalt-cutting-tools) ## [How Edge Preps Optimize Carbide Cutting Tools](https://blog.fullertontool.com/how-edge-preps-optimize-carbide-cutting-tools) Edge preps are crucial for carbide-cutting tools because they can significantly improve the tool's... 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