CNC milling cutters
CNC milling cutters are cutting tools used in CNC machines to machine metal or plastic surfaces. The cutters are made from hard materials such as tungsten carbide, HSS (High-Speed Steel), or ceramic, and come in various shapes and sizes depending on the machining purpose. In CNC machining, milling cutters directly determine machining accuracy, surface finish, and machining speed. Selecting the appropriate milling cutter enhances productivity, reduces wear, and saves costs.
Common types of milling cutters
1. End Mill
An end mill is a cutting tool with cutting edges on both sides. This tool is highly versatile and can be used for various machining operations. The term “end mill” is typically used for tools with a flat bottom. Unlike drills, which only cut along the axis, end mills can cut in any direction. There are two types of end mills: one with cutting teeth on both sides, called center-cut, and one with cutting teeth on only one side, called non-center-cut.
2. Face Mill
Face mills are rotating tools with one or more teeth used for milling operations. These tools are designed with multiple cutting edges and are typically mounted for use on vertical milling machines or machining centers. Face mills are commonly used to machine flat surfaces of average width. The standard diameter of face mills ranges from 80-250 mm.
3. Ball End Mill
Ball end mills, also known as ball-nose end mills, are named for their spherical cutting heads. They are used to reduce stress concentration during machining and are typically suitable for machining three-dimensional surface shapes of workpieces.
4. Chamfer Mill
This specialized milling cutter is designed to create angled cutting surfaces on workpieces, facilitating smooth transitions between different surfaces or removing sharp edges.
5. Thread Milling Cutter
A thread milling cutter is a cutting tool used to machine the external and internal thread shapes of workpieces. It can machine both standard-diameter threads from M2 to 1mm, including both standard-diameter threads and variable-diameter threads.
How to choose the right tool
Selecting the appropriate milling cutter for your application is crucial to achieving optimal machining results. Here are some considerations when selecting:
1. Material: Consider the material to be machined. Different materials require different types of cutting tools. For example, carbide milling cutters are suitable for machining hard steel, while HSS (high-speed steel) milling cutters are suitable for softer materials like aluminum.
2. Machining conditions: Consider machining conditions such as cutting speed, feed rate, and depth of cut. Different types of milling cutters have varying capabilities regarding cutting speed and feed rate.
3. Machining process: Determine the specific machining process you need to perform. Different types of milling cutters are designed for specific processes such as roughing, finishing, shaping, or grooving.
4. Cutter geometry: Consider the cutter geometry, such as the number of cutting edges, helix angle, and rake angle. These factors affect chip evacuation, cutting force, and surface finish.
5. Tool life and cost: Evaluate the tool life and cost. High-quality milling tools may have longer tool life and better performance, but they may also have higher costs. Consider your budget and the expected tool life to make an appropriate choice.
