Method for machining a workpiece

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, storing instructions that when executed by a processor, cause the processor to control movement of a cutting tool to remove stock from a rotating workpiece, by performing steps comprising:

• engaging a first cutting surface of the cutting tool with the workpiece at a first position;
• controlling the first cutting surface of the cutting tool to follow a defined path of curvature until the first cutting surface reaches a desired depth of cut;
• controlling the cutting tool to follow a first linear path while the first cutting surface is engaged with a stock of the workpiece;
• controlling a thickness of the workpiece with the cutting tool by removing material from the workpiece;
• controlling a thickness of the removed material from the workpiece;
• controlling a feed rate of the cutting tool;
• controlling the cutting tool to disengage the workpiece at a second position;
• engaging a second cutting surface of the cutting tool with the workpiece at a third position, the third position remote from the first position, and wherein the second position is between the first position and the third position;
• controlling the second cutting surface of the tool to engage the workpiece at the third position, the cutting tool following a defined path of curvature until the second cutting surface reaches a desired depth of cut;
• controlling the tool to follow a second linear path while the second cutting surface is engaged with a stock of the workpiece;
• controlling the thickness of the workpiece with the cutting tool by removing material from the workpiece;
• controlling a thickness of the removed material from the workpiece along the second linear path;
• and
• controlling the feed rate of the cutting tool along the second path;
• and
• controlling the cutting tool to disengage the workpiece at a fourth position.

A method of removing stock from a rotating workpiece, the method comprising the steps of:

• turning a workpiece and controlling the position of a cutting tool relative to the workpiece in order to remove stock from the workpiece, wherein the method involves a pre-programmed cutting cycle in which the cutting tool is moved relative to the workpiece in order to engage the workpiece and remove stock from the workpiece, and is then withdrawn from the workpiece, wherein the cutting tool is controlled to roll into cut along a predefined curved path until a cutting surface of the tool reaches a predetermined depth of cut in the workpiece, and the feed rate as the cutting tool rolls into cut along said curved path is varied in relation to an arc of engagement between a cutting surface of the cutting tool and the stock into which the cutting tool is being moved, and wherein the cutting tool has first and second cutting surfaces which are used alternately in the pre-programmed cutting cycle, so that the first cutting surface is used for a first pass of the tool relative to the workpiece and the second cutting surface is used for a second pass of the cutting tool relative to the workpiece, and wherein the cutting tool engages the workpiece at a first position of the first pass and disengages the workpiece at a second position of the first pass, and reengages the workpiece at a third position of the second pass and disengages the workpiece at a fourth position of the second pass, and wherein the first position is remote to the third position, and the second position is located between the first position and the third position.