Pecking

Pecking in a Milling Block

Pecking optimizes tool wear, deflection, feeds, and speeds by avoiding a full depth of cut in a single machining pass.

Pecking is controlled with the Peck Depth field in a milling block. Peck Depth specifies the maximum depth that is milled per pass:

If the Peck Depth value is non-zero, the following sequence occurs:

1. Tool feeds down to the first peck depth (the value of Z Start minus the Peck Depth value).

2. Contour is milled.

3. Tool retracts at rapid to Retract Clearance Plane.

4. XY moves at rapid to plunge point.

5. Tool moves at rapid down to the previous peck depth plus the Peck Clearance Plane.

6. Tool feeds down to the second peck depth (Z start minus 2 times the Peck Depth value).

7. Cycle repeats until the Z Bottom depth is reached.

If Peck Depth is zero, the total depth to Z Bottom is cut in one pass.

Pecking clearances are set on the Program Parameters screen/General 1 tab:

• Enable Pecking Retract Clearance

• Pecking Retract Clearance

• Peck Clearance Plane

In a Mill Thread block, Radial Peck Depth is used when more than one cutting pass is required. See Radial Pecks for more information.