CAM Software Deep Hole Drilling Programming: Fusion 360, Mastercam, and NX

CAM Software Deep Hole Drilling Programming

Programming deep holes in CAM software requires different settings than standard drilling. The tool’s extreme length-to-diameter ratio, chip evacuation requirements, and coolant delivery needs all affect toolpath strategy. Standard CAM defaults — designed for < 5×D drilling — will produce poor results or break tools when applied to deep holes.

General Principles Across All CAM Platforms

Key Settings for Deep Holes

Fusion 360

Drilling Cycle Selection

Fusion 360 offers several cycle types suitable for deep holes:

Recommended Settings

Operation Type: Drilling Cycle Type: Pecking (G83) for holes > 5×D

Parameter Setup:

Cycle Type:           Peck / Deep Hole (G83)
Clearance Height:     5 mm above part
Retract Height:       1–3 mm (3 mm for deep holes > 50×D)
Feed Plane:           3 mm above part
Bottom Height:        Hole depth (-Z)
Peck Distance (Q):    0.5–1×D (for > 10×D)
Dwell (P):            0.2–0.5 seconds at bottom
Subprogram:           Optional — see adaptive macro guide

Tool Setup:

Tool Type:            Drill (not spot drill)
Diameter:             Hole diameter
Flute Length:         > Hole depth + 20% minimum
Overall Length:       > Hole depth + tool holder clearance
Through Coolant:      Yes (required for deep holes)
Feed per Revolution:  Per material recommendations
Surface Speed:        Per material recommendations

Advanced: Custom Macro Integration

For variable peck depth in Fusion 360, use a Custom Cycle with post-processor modifications. See adaptive peck drilling macros for the macro code, then configure the post-processor to output a macro call (G65) instead of a fixed G83.

Mastercam

Drill Toolpath Configuration

Toolpath Type: Drill → Peck Drill (G83) or Chip Break (G73)

Parameter Tab — Key Settings:

Cycle:                Peck Drill (G83)
Clearance:            5 mm
Retract:              1–3 mm
Feed Plane:           3 mm
Top of Stock:         0 mm (part surface)
Depth:                -Z (hole bottom)

Peck:                 0.5–1×D (for > 10×D)
Dwell:                0.2–0.5
Chuck Clearance:      Check for tool holder interference

Linking Parameters:

Feed Rate:            Per material rec (mm/min)
Plunge Feed Rate:     50% of feed (for entry)
Retract Feed Rate:    Rapid (G00) or 200% of feed
Spindle Speed:        Per material rec (RPM)
Coolant:              Through-tool (M41 or M88 depending on post)

Mastercam Tip: Tool Length Checking

Mastercam’s Tool Clearance Check is essential for deep hole drilling:

1. Enable “Check Tool Holder Clearance” in the toolpath parameters
2. Set the tool holder geometry to match your actual holder
3. Mastercam will warn if the tool holder collides with the workpiece at full depth

Custom Macro for Variable Peck

In Mastercam, create a custom drill cycle via:

• Operations → Drill → Custom Cycle
• Define the cycle as a post line or subprogram call
• Output G65 P9100 Z# DEPTH Q# START_PECK Q2 # MIN_PECK ... using the post text

Siemens NX

Hole Making: Deep Hole Drilling

Create Operation: Hole Making → Drill → Deep Hole Drilling

Cycle Parameters:

Cycle Name:           PECK (G83) or BREAKCHIP (G73)
Minimum Clearance:    3 mm
Retract Distance:     1–3 mm (critical for chip evacuation)
Depth:                -Z

General Tab:
  Peck Depth:         Distance = 0.5–1×D
  Minimum Peck Depth: 0.2×D (for adaptive peck)
  Dwell Time:         0.2–0.5 seconds

Feed Rates:
  Cutting Feed:       Per material rec
  Traverse Feed:      Rapid
  Engage Feed:        50% of cutting feed (first 2–3×D)

Post-Processor Configuration

NX deep hole output is heavily dependent on the post-processor:

UDE for Variable Peck Depth

In NX, create a User-Defined Event (UDE) for variable peck depth:

1. Navigate to: Toolpath → Machine Control → User Defined Events
2. Add “Custom Command” event
3. Set output parameters: PECK_START, PECK_MIN, DEPTH
4. Post-processor maps these to the adaptive macro call

Post-Processor Considerations

Generic Post-Processor Setting for Deep Holes

# Key post-processor variables for deep hole drilling:
# (Check your post for these variables)

peck_depth = 0.5 * tool_diameter  # or fixed value
min_peck_depth = peck_depth * 0.5   # for adaptive peck
dwell_time = 0.5                     # seconds at bottom
retract_height = 3.0                 # mm above hole bottom

Multi-Axis Deep Hole Drilling

For 5-axis deep hole drilling, CAM is essential — manual programming is impractical.

CAM Considerations

For detailed 5-axis guidance, see 5-axis deep hole drilling programming.

Summary

CAM programming for deep holes requires adjusting peck depth to 0.5–1×D for holes > 10×D, adding 0.2–0.5 second dwell at each peck bottom, and setting retract height to 1–3 mm for adequate chip clearance. Fusion 360, Mastercam, and NX all support these adjustments through standard drilling cycle parameters. For variable peck depth (progressive reduction at depth), a custom cycle with a macro call (G65) is required, which needs post-processor customization on all three platforms. For CAM multi-axis strategies, see CAM and multi-axis deep hole drilling. For complete G-code programs, see deep hole drilling G-code program library.