Methods for preventing notch formation in, and/or extending the useful life of, cutting tools for turning, and associated systems

1 . A method for turning selected portions of a workpiece by a cutting tool of a machine, the machine having a processor and a memory, the method comprising:

determining a location of a floor within the workpiece;

performing a first cut descending towards the floor in a first direction;

performing a second cut descending towards the floor in a second direction different from the first direction; and

performing a third cut parallel to the floor;

wherein at least one of:

(a) performing the first cut comprises continuously varying a depth of the first cut

relative to the floor from a start point of the first cut to an endpoint of the first cut; or

(b) performing the second cut comprises continuously varying a depth of the

second cut relative to the floor from a start point of the second cut to an endpoint of the second cut.

2 . The method of claim 1 wherein performing at least one of the first cut or the second cut includes causing the cutting tool to exit the workpiece below the floor.

3 . The method of claim 2 wherein performing at least one of the first cut or the second cut includes forming a burr positioned below the floor.

4 . The method of claim 1 wherein performing at least one of the first cut or the second cut includes causing the cutting tool to exit the workpiece at an angle that is non-parallel to the floor.

5 . The method of claim 1 wherein performing at least one of the first cut or the second cut includes causing the cutting tool to exit the workpiece at least approximately tangent to the floor.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction.

7 . The method of claim 1 wherein the first, second, and third cuts form at least a portion of a face.

8 . The method of claim 1 wherein the first, second, and third cuts form at least a portion of a pocket.

9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising performing a fourth cut after the third cut and before any other cuts, the fourth cut being in at least approximately the second direction.

10 . A method for turning selected portions of a workpiece by a cutting tool of a machine, the machine having a processor and a memory, the method comprising:

determining a location of a floor within the workpiece;

determining a point on the floor, a first point on a pocket wall, and a second point on a pocket wall;

performing a first descending cut from the first point on the pocket wall, passing through the point on the floor, such that the first descending cut is at least approximately tangent to the floor; and

performing a second descending cut from the second point on a pocket wall, passing through the point on the floor such that the second descending cut is at least approximately tangent to the floor.

11 . The method of claim 10 wherein at least one of the first descending cut or the second descending cut includes a straight segment.

12 . The method of claim 10 wherein at least one of the first descending cut or the second descending cut includes an arcuate segment.

13 . The method of claim 10 the second descending cut is in a different direction than the first descending cut.

14 . A method for turning selected portions of a workpiece by a cutting tool of a machine, the machine having a processor and a memory, the method comprising:

determining a location of a floor within the workpiece;

performing a first cut descending towards the floor in a first direction; and

performing a second cut parallel to the floor in a second direction different from the first direction;

wherein performing the first cut comprises continuously varying a depth of the first cut relative to the floor from a start point of the first cut to an endpoint of the first cut.

15 . The method of claim 14 wherein performing at least one of the first cut or the second cut includes causing the cutting tool to exit the workpiece below the floor.

16 . The method of claim 15 wherein performing at least one of the first cut or the second cut includes forming a burr positioned below the floor.

17 . The method of claim 14 wherein performing at least one of the first cut or the second cut includes causing the cutting tool to exit the workpiece at an angle that is non-parallel the floor.

18 . The method of claim 14 wherein performing at least one of the first cut or the second cut includes causing the cutting tool to exit the workpiece at least approximately tangent to the floor.

19 . The method of claim 14 wherein the first and second cuts form at least a portion of a shoulder.

20 . The method of claim 14 wherein the second cut includes a straight segment.

21 . The method of claim 14 wherein the second cut includes an arcuate segment.

22 . A system for turning selected portions of a workpiece by a cutting tool, the system comprising:

a processor; and

a computer-readable medium having instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to:

receive a location of a floor within the workpiece;

direct a cutting tool to perform a first cut descending towards the floor in a first direction; and

direct the cutting tool to perform a second cut descending towards the floor in a second direction different than the first direction;

wherein at least one of:

(a) directing the cutting tool to perform the first cut comprises directing the cutting tool to exit the workpiece below the floor; or

(b) directing the cutting tool to perform the second cut comprises directing the cutting tool to exit the workpiece below the floor.

23 . The system of claim 22 wherein the instructions, when executed:

direct material removed from the workpiece to form a face; and

direct the cutting tool to perform a third cut parallel to the floor.

24 . The system of claim 22 wherein the instructions, when executed, direct the cutting tool to form a shoulder.

25 . The system of claim 22 wherein the instructions, when executed, direct the cutting tool to form a pocket.

26 . The system of claim 22 wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction.

27 . The system of claim 22 wherein the instructions, when executed, direct the cutting tool to cut along an arc tangent to the floor.

28 . The system of claim 22 wherein at least one of the first cut or the second cut includes an arcuate segment.

29 . The system of claim 22 wherein the instructions, when executed:

direct the cutting tool to perform a third cut along a surface of the workpiece that is at least one of (a) non-parallel to the floor, or (b) non-parallel to a turning axis of the workpiece.

30 . The system of claim 22 wherein at least one of:

(a) directing the cutting tool to perform the first cut comprises directing the cutting tool to exit the workpiece at an angle that is non-parallel to the floor; or

(b) directing the cutting tool to perform the second cut comprises directing the cutting tool to exit the workpiece at an angle that is non-parallel to the floor.

31 . The system of claim 22 wherein the system comprises the cutting tool, and wherein the cutting tool comprises a round insert for engaging the workpiece.

32 . A system for turning selected portions of a workpiece by a cutting tool, the system comprising:

a processor; and

a computer-readable medium having instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to:

receive a target cutting depth within the workpiece;

direct a cutting tool to perform a first cut descending towards the target cutting depth in a first direction, wherein performing the first cut comprises continuously varying a depth of the first cut relative to the target cutting depth from a start point of the first cut to an endpoint of the first cut, and

direct the cutting tool to perform a second cut descending towards the target cutting depth in a second direction different than the first direction.