Milling Cutters: Everything you need to know
Branch Introduction
Milling cutters are significant tools in the work of CNC machining and metalworking. They are used in shaping, slotting, facing, or cutting metal, and the right milling cutter will make a difference in the quality of the product and efficiency. In this blog, we will define what milling cutters are, the types, the uses of these tools, and how one can choose the best one that fits for application.
What is a Milling Cutter?
A milling cutter is a rotary cutting tool used in milling machines or machining centres to perform the actual milling. Removal of materials from a workpiece is achieved by rotating the cutter while feeding against the workpiece. Some industries that use milling cutters include automotive, aerospace, toolmaking, and manufacturing.
Types of Milling Cutters
To select the milling cutter for your job, you need to know some of its types. An example includes:
1. End Mill Cutters
It is used for vertical milling.
Use: Contouring, slotting, profiling.
Of different flute numbers and different coatings.
2. Face Mill Cutters
Specifically designed to face very large surface areas.
Produces a smooth surface finish.
Usually features an indexable insert.
3. Ball Nose Cutters
Made for 3-dimensional contouring.
Most common in mould and die-making industries.
Produces curved surfaces.
4. Slab Mill Cutters
Used for heavy removal of cutting materials.
Wide surfaces have the ability for possibly deep cuts in a single process.
5. Side and Face Cutters
Suitable for slotting and grooving.
Can cut on both sides as well as on the circumference.
6. T-Slot Cutters
Specifically designed to create T-slots.
Commonly applied to machine tool tables.
7. Dovetail Cutters
Creating angles with cuts and dovetail joints.
Mainly for jig and fixture applications.
Material in which milling cutters are made
Milling cutters differ according to their material composition because of different applications:
High-Speed Steel (HSS): low cost for uncomplicate