Final answer:
In face milling, the surface being machined is parallel to the cutter face. This operation is used to produce a flat and smooth surface on a workpiece. It is common in manufacturing for making large flat surfaces.
Step-by-step explanation:
The surface being machined is parallel with the cutter face in face milling. In this type of milling operation, the cutter's rotational axis is perpendicular to the surface of the material being milled. This contrasts with end milling, where the cutter's rotational axis is parallel to the surface. In face milling, the cutting action occurs primarily at the end corners of the cutting face of the tool, and as the cutter passes over the workpiece surface it makes a flat face or square shoulder in the process.
Face milling is commonly used in various manufacturing and engineering applications to produce a smooth and flat surface on a workpiece. It is especially suited for machining large flat surfaces quickly, and with the right setup and cutting tool, a very fine surface finish can be achieved.