What does the depth of cut measure?

The depth of cut is defined as the thickness of material that is removed from the workpiece in a single pass of the cutting tool. This measurement is crucial in machining processes because it directly affects the amount of material being removed, tool wear, and overall machining efficiency. A deeper cut typically results in more material being removed, but it also increases the cutting forces and can lead to more significant tool wear and potential damage to the workpiece if not managed properly.

In contrast, other options address different aspects of machining. The total volume of material removed refers to the cumulative effect of multiple cuts, rather than a singular pass. The speed of the cutting operation relates to how quickly the tool moves through the material but does not specifically measure the thickness of a cut. Likewise, the time taken for a cut pertains to the duration of the machining operation itself rather than the depth of cut, which focuses purely on the thickness of material removed during the cutting action.