What type of milling operation creates grooves and slots?

The correct choice is focused on the specific operation that is designed to create grooves and slots. Slot milling is a milling operation that utilizes a narrow cutting tool to produce keyways, slots, or grooves in the material. This type of milling is special because it allows for the precise shaping of a narrow cut, which can be used in various applications such as fitting parts together, creating pathways for assemblies, or providing locations for fastening.

While face milling involves using a flat, circular cutter to create flat surfaces, it is not specifically designed to create grooves or slots. End milling, although capable of making slots, is more versatile and is often used for a wider range of cutting applications, such as profiling and contouring. Profile milling pertains more to the shaping of the outer contour of a part rather than creating internal grooves or slots. Thus, slot milling is the operation explicitly tailored to produce the desired grooves and slots, making it the correct choice in this context.