Technological Parameters & Machining Safety
This section defines your material removal strategy. The Slotting module features intelligent mechanisms that ensure the process is not only fast but also safe for the spindle and the tool.
1. Depth of Cut (Start/End Depth of Cut)
These parameters control the material increments in each tool pass.
- Start Depth of Cut: The initial depth of cut.
- End Depth of Cut: The final depth of cut.
Diminishing Load Logic: Entering a value in Start Depth of Cut that is greater than End Depth of Cut allows the program to gradually reduce the cutting depth after each pass. This effectively decreases the load on the tool and the machine as the cutting resistance (width of engagement) increases. This is particularly vital for machining involute splines.
Safety Measures: The program does not allow the final value to be greater than the initial one. When both values are equal, the depth of cut remains constant. The last roughing pass may have a smaller depth than specified to precisely reach the root diameter.
2. Feed Rate (Speed)
The Speed parameter defines the tool’s working movement in millimeters per minute (mm/min).
- G1 (Cutting) Mode: The value is only considered in this mode.
- G0 (Rapid) Mode: The tool moves at the machine’s maximum rapid traverse speed.
Pro Tip: Shop floor experience shows that using G0 mode combined with the rapid override knob on the machine’s control panel (e.g., set to 50%) is often more beneficial. This approach helps reduce vibrations and machine strain compared to using a fixed G1 feed rate.
3. Tool Width & Chordal Clearance
A unique feature dedicated exclusively to internal slotting (not available for external operations).
- Tool Width: The width of the tool’s cutting edge. Used solely for mathematical calculations.
- Chordal Clearance: An additional safety gap for internal holes. A tool of a specific width moving inside a circle may hit the bore wall with its side (chord effect). The program automatically calculates the safe gap, eliminating the risk of collisions that often occur in manually written code.
Technical Note: Chordal Clearance is treated as an additional stock to be machined (it affects the starting depth). In contrast, the Retract Distance parameter is used only for safe tool positioning and does not affect the cutting depth itself.