Trochoidal milling replaces a full-width slot with a circular tool path at controlled radial engagement. Enter tool diameter, slot width and step-over to get the trochoidal radius and the engagement angle the cutter actually sees.
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Request a Proposal →Trochoidal milling (also called dynamic milling or peel milling) uses a circular toolpath with constant radial engagement. This maintains consistent chip load and prevents the shock loads of traditional slotting, enabling higher speeds and feeds.
Use trochoidal for deep slots (depth > 2× diameter), hard materials (over 40 HRC), and when tool life is a concern. The constant engagement eliminates the 180 deg shock load of slotting, allowing 2-3× higher feed rates and longer tool life.
7-15% is optimal for most steels. Lower engagement (5-10%) for hardened steels and titanium. Higher engagement (15-25%) for aluminium. The trade-off: lower engagement = less force but more total path length.
Trochoidal milling is one HSM strategy. Other HSM strategies include adaptive clearing, peel milling, and dynamic milling. All share the principle of constant radial engagement with varying step-over, as opposed to constant step-over with varying engagement.
Enter your tool diameter and the desired radial engagement (width of cut). The calculator gives the trochoidal path radius and the engagement angle percentage. Use 7-15% engagement for steel and superalloys, 15-25% for aluminium.
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USING A TROCHOIDAL STRATEGY? Trochoidal paths consume the lower flute length, so core diameter and eccentric relief matter. See how to specify a cutter for dynamic milling.
Trochoidal milling trades radial engagement for speed, which puts the load on the corner and the coating. Send your step-over, axial depth and material.