What is the purpose of slot milling in machining?

The purpose of slot milling in machining is to produce a narrow channel or groove in a workpiece. This operation involves using a milling cutter that has the appropriate geometry to remove material along a linear path, resulting in a defined slot with specific dimensions. Slot milling is particularly useful in applications where parts need to fit together precisely, such as in the assembly of mechanical components.

When a slot is milled, the cutter enters the material and removes it, creating a space that can be used for fitment of other parts, as a path for keying in a component, or for routing passages such as in fluid lines. The resulting slot can have various widths and depths, depending on the setup and the tooling used, which provides versatility in design and functionality for various machining needs.