title = "Milling Operations: Face, End, and Peripheral Milling"

content = """
Milling uses a rotating multi-edge cutting tool to remove material from a workpiece that is fed relative to the tool. Milling is extremely versatile—producing flat surfaces, slots, pockets, contours, holes, and complex 3D profiles—and is a primary machining process at Ridgecrest Metalworks.

Face milling uses a large-diameter cutter mounted perpendicular to the workpiece surface to machine large flat areas. The insert cutting edges are on the face (bottom) of the cutter. Face milling is highly productive for generating flat reference surfaces, removing rough stock, and preparing surfaces for further operations. Insert geometry and grade selection are matched to the workpiece material.

Peripheral (slab) milling uses a cylindrical cutter with teeth on the periphery to mill flat or stepped surfaces. In up-milling (conventional milling), the cutter rotates against the feed direction; chip thickness starts at zero and increases, which dulls tools faster but is more forgiving of slight play in older machines. In down-milling (climb milling), the cutter rotates in the same direction as the feed; chip thickness starts at maximum and decreases, giving better surface finish, lower cutting forces, and longer tool life when the machine has adequate rigidity and backlash control.

End milling uses end mills—tools with cutting edges on both the end face and the periphery—for side milling, slotting, pocket milling, and 3D contouring. Full-slot end milling (cutting a slot equal in width to the cutter diameter) is the most demanding application, generating high heat and requiring lower speeds and feeds than peripheral cutting. Pocket milling uses programmed paths to clear material from enclosed areas.

The universal machining center (VMC—vertical machining center; HMC—horizontal machining center) is the dominant CNC milling platform. Horizontal machining centers hold parts on tombstones or pallets, enabling four-sided machining in one setup and superior chip evacuation—particularly important for deep pockets. Fixturing must locate the part precisely and resist the full range of cutting forces without movement.

Critical milling parameters include spindle speed (RPM), feed per tooth (chip load), axial depth of cut, radial depth of cut, and coolant delivery. Operators verify tool runout, inspect inserts before and during production, and check first-off parts dimensionally and for surface finish.
"""

version = "0.0.1"
