Sources and scope for this page: Industry convention — no single governing standard (conventional usage, definitions vary between sources), covering the definition of trochoidal milling. No independent source check is recorded for this page: the content rests on the sources listed and on the working shown on the page. How sources, methods and updates are recorded.
Definition
The cutter follows a looping path that keeps radial engagement low — often under 10% of diameter — while taking an axial cut as deep as the flute length. The low radial engagement thins the chip, and the feed is raised to compensate.
The result is a much higher material removal rate for a given spindle power, because the cutting force is spread along more of the flute and less of the tool is engaged at any moment. It needs a fast control and a rigid setup.
Common misuse
Using trochoidal paths at the conventional feed per tooth. The thinned chip means the tooth rubs instead of cutting unless the feed is raised.