Fräsung

Fräsung is a German term used to describe the process of creating a recess, groove, or slot in a workpiece by milling. The term can refer to the operation itself as well as the resulting feature. In practice, Fräsung denotes material removal by rotating cutters on milling machines or CNC milling centers.

Fräsungen are produced by various milling operations, such as slot milling for straight channels, pocket milling for recessed areas, and contour milling for profiles. The selection of cutter type (end mill, slot drill, or shell mill), orientation (horizontal or vertical), and cutting conditions determines the dimensions and surface quality of the finished feature.

Fräsung can be applied to metals (such as steel and aluminium), plastics, and wood; the parameters must be adjusted for material properties, rigidity, and thermal behavior. Typical process parameters include cutting speed, feed rate, depth of cut, and stepdown, along with cooling or lubrication to control heat and tool wear. Tolerances and surface finish depend on tool geometry, machine rigidity, and stabilization of the workpiece.

Common uses include creating keyways and slots for fasteners, channels for seals or lubrication, cooling channels in molds or engine components, and profiling complex surfaces in mechanical parts for automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing sectors.

Quality considerations emphasize proper fixturing, alignment, and clamping to minimize tool deflection and chatter, which can affect tolerances and surface finish. Metrology tools such as calipers, micrometers, and coordinate measuring machines are employed to verify dimensions and geometric accuracy.

Etymology: the noun Fräsung derives from fräsen (to mill) with the suffix -ung forming a noun for the action or result.