HELICAL INTERPOLATION

What is Helical Milling | How to Program Helical Interpolation

Helical interpolation can only be performed on CNC machines because it requires simultaneous motion in multiple
axes, typically on milling machines. How to make a helical interpolation program is what people concerned. Here we’ll
present an example of the process and explain what is helical milling.

What is Helical Milling?

Helical milling is a hole-making machining process in which the cutter proceeds a helical path while rotating around its
own axis, used to produce helical parts like helical gears, spiral flute milling cutters, twist drills, and helical cam grooves.
Milling helical parts need to use special formed milling cutters and double-angle milling cutters. A 3-axis CNC milling
machine is suitable for performing the helical interpolation operation.

Helical interpolation is a milling technique that can replace drilling or even better when creating holes. A helix is a
regular curved path, the helical path can be decomposed into axial and tangential directions, combining frontal and
peripheral cutting. Helical interpolation involves simultaneous circular movement in the X and Y axes combined with
an axial feed on the z-axis at a defined pitch.

What Can Helical Interpolation be Used for?

Helical interpolation is a fast, economical and versatile operation, which is programmed by adding a z-
axis movement to a simple circular interpolation command using CAM software.

– Generating holes: helical milling is an easy way to open an existing hole or make a flat bottom hole
rather than using the drill. There are some drawbacks of using a twist drill, for example, it requires
additional tool change and maybe another slot, in addition, twist drills burn up more horsepower than the
equivalent helical interpolation. But end mills will be much slower than a twist drill with the correct size.

– Circular ramping: to cut down to depth before machining a feature such as a pocket or a slot, or even use
it to start off cutting the profile to bring the cutter down to depth.

– Thread milling: cut a thread by milling down in a spiral using a mill, this is great for producing threads in
a hard material such as titanium.

TUTORIAL VIDEO: (Watch these videos for in-depth explanation)

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U5iwADMgI0

- Week 8-Day 2: Helical Milling

Source: https://www.cnclathing.com/guide/what-is-helical-milling-how-to-program-helical-interpolation-cnclathing
Sample Program – HELICAL INTERPOLATION

Try creating this on your simulator:

WORKPIECE SIZE: 70x70x20

TOOL SIZES: 16MM FLAT ENDMILL
WORK ZERO POINT: 50, 30, 30 – G58

$AddRegPart 5 50 30 10
%
O0005
G40 G49 G80 G58;
G17 G21 G90 G28;
T6 M06;
S3500 M03;
G43 H06 Z100.;
G00 X35. Y35.;
Z1.;
G01 G41 X20. F2;
G03 X50 Y35. Z.5 R15. F2 M08;
X20. Y35. Z-.25 R15.;
X50 Y35. Z-.75 R15.;
X20. Y35. Z-1.25 R15.;
X50 Y35. Z-1.75 R15.;
X20. Y35. Z-2.25 R15.;
X50 Y35. Z-2.75 R15.;
X20. Y35. Z-3.25 R15.;
X50 Y35. Z-4.75 R15.;
X20. Y35. Z-5. R15.;
X50 Y35. Z-5. R15.;
X20. Y35. Z-5. R15.;
X50 Y35. Z-5. R15.;
X30. Y35. Z-5. R10.;
G00 G40 Z100. M09;
G28;
M01;
CONTINUATION………..
Continue finishing the pocket using the spiral toolpath. Carefully study the points as well as the
coordinates and radii indicated on the given drawings below then create the program following the
sequence of toolpath.

1. Sequence of toolpath:

2. Coordinates

3. Radii:
Insert the final Part Program here:

$AddRegPart 5 50 30 10
%
O0005
G40 G49 G80 G58;
G17 G21 G90 G28;
T6 M06;
S3500 M03;
G43 H06 Z100.;
G00 X35. Y35.;
Z1.;
G01 G41 X20. F2;
G03 X50 Y35. Z.5 R15. F2 M08;
X20. Y35. Z-.25 R15.;
X50 Y35. Z-.75 R15.;
X20. Y35. Z-1.25 R15.;
X50 Y35. Z-1.75 R15.;
X20. Y35. Z-2.25 R15.;
X50 Y35. Z-2.75 R15.;
X20. Y35. Z-3.25 R15.;
X50 Y35. Z-4.75 R15.;
X20. Y35. Z-5. R15.;
X50 Y35. Z-5. R15.;
X20. Y35. Z-5. R15.;
X50 Y35. Z-5. R15.;
X20. Y35. Z-5. R15.; Continue the program from this point
………………..

G28;
M30;
Insert here the screenshot of the ff:
A.) Tool Setup,
B.) Workpiece Size Setup,
C.) Zero Point Setup, and the
D.) Simulated program with the feed and traverse
enabled.