I always think HSM isn't really the right term, but it does seem to be what's used to describe trochoidal tool paths.

Actual cutting speeds aren't really any higher than any other machining methods, as you're still limited by how hard you can push the cutter/machine/workpiece, but it does benefit from high acceleration/rapids, due to the continual direction changes and amount of time the cutter is moving between cuts.

I personally find it quite therapeutic watching mills use a trochoidal path to mill out big sections, seeing big long flakes of metal come off, instead of the olde going around in circles/squares/lines taking shallow depth cuts.


I do have a full license for HSMadvisor/FSwizard, and think it's a fantastic program, but I bought mine years ago when you could get 3 full lifetime licenses for $110.
I do see they've got a new 3 year 3 hp license option for $95, which is probably still a bit much for a hobby user.

Off course the other option is G-Wizard, but I never really got on with it, and the whole CNC Cookbook marketing nonsense/endless plugs/popups annoy me. Which is a shame, as they did have some good articles buried in amongst the nonsense.