A chip breaking diagram for an insert geometry is defined by acceptable chip breaking for feed and depth of cut.

 - Cutting depth (a,) and feed (fn) must be adapted to the chipbreaking area of the geometry to get acceptable chip control.
 - Chip breaking which is too hard can lead to insert breakage.
 - Chips which are too long can lead to disturbances in the machining process and bad surface finish.

Three main methods in Turning

R =Roughing

M =Medium machining

F = Finishing

Roughing
 - Maximum metal removal rate and/or severe conditions.
 - Large cutting depth and feed rate combinations.
 - High cutting forces.

Medium machining

 - Most applications-general purpose.

 - Medium operations to light roughing.

 - Wide range of cutting depth and feed rate combinations.

Finishing
 - Small cutting depths and low feed rates.

 - Low cutting forces.