Millsthree

Millsthree is a term used in several niche areas to denote a configuration or process involving three milling-related elements, such as passes, units, or iterations. There is no universal definition, and the meaning of millsthree varies by field or project. The term is often encountered in discussions of subtractive fabrication and experimental design.

In manufacturing and computer numerical control, millsthree commonly refers to a three-pass milling workflow. A workpiece may be milled in three sequential passes, sometimes with different cutters or toolpaths, to achieve complex geometry, refined tolerances, or distinct surface textures. While this approach can improve precision and features, it can also increase cycle time and requires careful fixturing and collision checking to avoid tool interference.

In digital fabrication and generative design, millsthree may describe a workflow that outputs three distinct milling profiles for a single model. This enables multi-material assemblies, staged material removal, or intentional variation in chip geometry across a part. Proponents cite possibilities for texture, depth, and expression that are difficult to achieve with a single pass.

In art, design, and hobbyist contexts, millsthree is sometimes used as a project name or conceptual motif. Installations or experimental pieces may employ three micro-milling stages to explore the collaboration between human intent and automated processes. The term remains informal and context-dependent, rather than a standardized specification.

See also: milling, CNC, toolpath, subtractive manufacturing.