KRC ManufacturingCustom parts
New Knoxville, Ohio
CNC design / KRC Manufacturing

CNC Pocket Depth

Pocket depth, cutter diameter, and available clearance work together to determine machining difficulty.

PRACTICAL DESIGN GUIDANCE · UPDATED OCTOBER 2026
DESIGN / TOOL REACHKRC / FIELD NOTES
CNC Pocket Depth — technical illustration
Technical illustration · not to scale
Cost driverReach relative to cutter diameter
Access checkTool, shank, and holder clearance
Design improvementShallower / wider / larger radii
WatchThin floors and trapped chips
The useful starting point

Make cavities only as deep as the part needs, and keep the opening large enough for a rigid cutting tool.

01 /

Depth alone is not the limit

A wide open cavity can be easier than a shallow narrow slot. The cutter must reach the bottom while its shank and holder clear the walls. Tool stickout, flute length, diameter, and chip evacuation all influence the feasible operation.

02 /

Use depth-to-tool proportion as a warning

Increasing reach relative to tool diameter increases deflection risk. A 1 inch deep feature cut with a 1/2 inch tool has a very different rigidity problem from one demanding a 1/8 inch tool. This comparison is a design aid, not an automatic pass/fail ratio for KRC.

03 /

Reduce unnecessary removal

If a pocket exists only to reduce weight, consider whether a shallower pocket, an open relief, or a different stock shape would work. Removing most of a solid block can consume substantial machining time. Keep bottom floors thick enough to remain stable during clamping and cutting.

04 /

Make access explicit

Open pockets, generous internal radii, and clear wall transitions make the process simpler. Avoid an overhanging lip that blocks a straight cutter from reaching the bottom. The online envelope does not override tool-access limits, and no blanket pocket-depth guarantee is implied by a model upload.

Put the design to work.

Choose the process, verify your files, and take the next step toward a custom part.