Best Tool Path For Slotting

[richardsalzman]

I am working on a project where I need to cut a slot to get rid of excess stock that is .625" thick (see below).  I used a 3/8" endmill and used the contour tool path to cut the slot.  The speeds/feeds calculator suggested making two passes with a stepdown of about .33" each.  This worked out fine.  I have several more pieces to make. 

I read a post suggesting that a 1/4" endmill with a 2D adaptive routine cutting the same 3/8" wide slot at the full .625 depth was a far more efficient approach.  Do you agree?

Richard

[a.laasW8M6T · Accepted solution]

"Depends" is the more general answer

Slotting with 2D contour is much more efficient in this case, 2D adaptive with a smaller tool will take forever on a machine with low acceleration/jerk values

What material the parts are made of is somewhat important.

The harder the material the less efficient slotting is and adaptive can potentially be faster.

The machining time values in Fusion don't take into account the Machine Dynamics so while an adaptive toolpath might appear to be quicker in Fusion, for a small slot(relative to the tool diameter) like that often it will run slower on the machine as the machine will never actually achieve the programmed feedrate.

If you want to know for sure, Run two parts with both methods and compare the actual cycle times.