From the course: Introduction to Mill and Lathe Operation
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Depth of cut and step over
From the course: Introduction to Mill and Lathe Operation
Depth of cut and step over
- Depth of cut, or step down distance and the stepover distance are the two measurements you need to pay attention to when you're dealing with how far you're plunging the tool into the workpiece. The depth of cut is just that; how deep is the tool going to plunge into the part? Knowing the depth of cut allows you to choose the correct end mill. For example, you can only go so deep with the skinny, small diameter end mill. Another factor to consider is the stepover distance, which is the overlap of the tool paths. As the tool comes down and cuts around the path, how far is it stepping over to the next tool path? Knowing that distance allows you to control the surface quality and rate of material removal. For example, if you want to do a rough cut, you have a large stepover distance. If you want to do a final cut, you have a small stepover distance.
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