What is the main use of a slab mill in machining operations?

A slab mill is primarily designed for rough cutting operations. Its main function is to remove a significant amount of material from a workpiece in a single pass, making it ideal for creating flat surfaces and grooves on large, flat workpieces. The cutting tools on a slab mill are specifically configured to engage in high-velocity cutting, which allows for efficient material removal at the beginning stages of machining.

While finishing surfaces is an important part of machining, slab mills are not optimized for this purpose, as they leave a relatively rough surface finish compared to other tools designed for finishing operations. Similarly, slab mills are not used for drilling holes or turning operations, as those tasks require specialized tools like drill bits and lathe tools, respectively. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the primary function of slab mills in rough cutting applications.