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Cavity and Groove Design Guidelines

Cavity and Groove Design Guidelines

SH CAI|

Design Recommendations for Cavities and Grooves

  • Inner R Radius: It is recommended that the inner R radius of cavities and grooves be at least ≥R0.5.
  • Depth of Grooves: The groove depth should ideally be within 4 times the diameter of the milling cutter. The radius of the milling cutter used must be ≤ the inner R radius or ≤ the minimum width of the groove.

Recommended Groove Shapes

To minimize processing costs, prioritize the following groove shape combinations to achieve the most cost-effective solutions.

Modeling Requirements for Groove R Radius

  • When using milling cutters, the tool's motion will naturally create an R radius. Ensure that this R radius is included in the model.
  • Larger R Radius Benefits: A larger R radius allows the use of milling cutters with a larger diameter, reducing processing time and lowering costs.
  • Minimum R Radius: For general milling, the minimum required R radius is R0.5. If the R radius is smaller than R0.5, specialized processing techniques are required (automatic quoting will not be available).

No Need to Model Milling Cutter Tip R Radius

  • The tip of the end mill naturally has a very small R radius. As a result, the groove's bottom will inherently have a corresponding R radius after machining. This R radius does not need to be modeled.
  • 3D Model Accuracy: If the 3D model includes the cutter tip R radius, the processing direction cannot be accurately determined (automatic quoting will not be possible).
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