Slotting: Parameters

VoluMill Pocket achieves its superior cutting performance by striving to maintain a constant rate of material removal throughout the toolpath, regardless of the shape of the geometry.

Two strategies are considered when milling in confined areas: Side Milling and Slot Milling. If the Allow Slotting checkbox is selected, VoluMill will automatically choose the strategy that produces the lowest cycle time using the current feedrate and distance traveled. Depending on the shape of the part, both methods may be used.

In some cases VoluMill will use a progressive milling method wherein the tool is never fully engaged in the material; this is referred to as Side Milling.

In some cases VoluMill will fully engage the cutting tool; this is referred to as Slot Milling. During the slotting cuts, VoluMill will reduce the feedrate and/or use multiple depths-of-cut to maintain the same rate of material removal that is in effect during the rest of the toolpath.

To force the system to only use the Side Milling strategy, which is especially beneficial in harder materials, unselect the Allow Slotting checkbox.

Side Milling:

Slot Milling:

The following parameters appear in the Slotting parameter table and are used by the VoluMill Pocket procedure:

Allow Slotting

See the Side/Slot Milling description above.

Select the checkbox to enable slotting and determine the maximum slot depth. If this checkbox is unselected, this means that Side Milling only is performed.

If the checkbox is selected, the following parameter is displayed:

Slot Max. Depth

This parameter determines the number and depth of any slotting cuts. VoluMill uses the entered value as a not-to-exceed value, meaning that the slotting depth-of-cut may be adjusted downward from the entered value as needed to ensure that each such cut removes the same amount of material. Since these slotting cuts are invariably at a greater effective stepover (radial depth-of-cut) than the non-slotting cuts of the toolpath, it is necessary to reduce the axial depth-of-cut, which this parameter controls, and/or reduce the slotting feedrate to maintain the material removal rate during these cuts.

The default value for this parameter is Down Step/3 and is set in conjunction with the Slot Feedrate parameter to maintain the same material removal rate while slotting that is in effect for the rest of the toolpath.

Minimum: 0.001
Maximum: Down Step
Default: Down Step/3

Side Mill Cut Width

See the Side/Slot Milling description above.

When the toolpath Side Mills, the cut width is defined by the diameter of the flat portion of the tool. The default value for this parameter is the Side Step. To use a smaller width of cut when side milling in tight areas, enter the desired distance. The entered value must be less than the diameter of the flat portion of the tool.

Minimum: 0.001
Maximum: 0.99*tool diameter
Default: Side Step

Some functionality may be dependent on the product package. Contact your Reseller if you require a license.