[scott216]

I haven't machined 304 stainless before. I know it can work harden, so I have to make sure I don't take light cuts. My stock is 0.09" thick plate. I need to cut out a few pieces that are about 1" square. I plan to enter into the piece from the side at full depth (since it's only 0.09" thick). I have a Lakeshore Carbide 3/16" 5-flute end mill for stainless (P/N 4220316). I'll use my fogbuster (I don't have flood coolant setup). I'd like to know if I should go with an adaptive toolpath that takes lots of short curved cuts, or just a contour toolpath. I know the adaptive will take a lot longer, but that doesn't matter to me. See attached screenshots:

[BIRDTOOL]

If you want the endmill to last and want to be able to run unattended go with the adaptive.

I have slotted in 303 before but it's hard to get the chip out.(w/ air blast/mist or flood) so don't feel confident to walk away.

I use a carbide corncob style 4flt endmill and have taken up to half cutter diam(3/16) radial cut without issue.

Looking at your pic, I'm assuming you'll not plunge into the material in the corner.

[scott216]

If you want the endmill to last and want to be able to run unattended go with the adaptive.

I have slotted in 303 before but it's hard to get the chip out.(w/ air blast/mist or flood) so don't feel confident to walk away.

I use a carbide corncob style 4flt endmill and have taken up to half cutter diam(3/16) radial cut without issue.

Looking at your pic, I'm assuming you'll not plunge into the material in the corner.

Thanks for the info. No, I'm not going to plunge into the material at the corner, I still need to tweak the toolpath a bit.

[scott216]

I did a test using the adaptive clearing toolpath, it worked great.