Photo courtesy Delcam. Video shows trochoidal milling in 52 Rc D-2 steel using a six-flute end mill. Video courtesy Niagara Cutter
This is an approach to rough milling in which straight lines are replaced by “curlicue” circular moves of constant radius. Potential benefits include:
Faster metal removal. Making the constant circular curve the only direction change allows a high feed rate to be consistently maintained.
Longer tool life. The cutting edge is in contact with the material through only about 5% of the cutter’s revolution vs. up to 50% for more conventional cutting. Cooling of the tool is improved.
Pairing automation with air-driven motors that push cutting tool speeds up to 65,000 RPM with no duty cycle can dramatically improve throughput and improve finishing.
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