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Milling Cutters and Cutting Fluids - 1: Endmills
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WARNING: Machine tools present a safety hazard. Improper operation can result in severe injury. These topics are for non-laboratory study only and are not to be used in conjunction with the operation of any tool or machine described herein. Never use a machine tool without the supervision of a qualified instructor. | |||||
![]() ![]() There are four basic types of materials used to make mill cutters.
Cobalt high speed steel cutters (right) are improvement in hardness over the HSS Solid carbide cutters (below) offer an increase in hardness and will allows the machining of many types of Coated cutters (right) have a solid carbide or HSS body with a coated cutting edge. The purpose of the coating is to make the cutting tool last longer or to be allowed to run the machine at a greater cutting speed. Titanium Nitrite coating is one of the most popular coatings.
End mills are also commonly produced with double ends (right). Although double-end end mills are limited in size (rarely exceeding 1" in diameter), they cost less to purchase as compared to two single-end end mills. Most end mills have spiral flutes with an angle of 30 degrees. That design is the most efficient (all of the above shown end mills have spiral flutes). Straight flutes (rendition below) are used rarely because they are less efficient. You may use them to make two sides of a cut that have to be parallel as in O.D. keyways on a shaft. Note: Increasing the number of flutes from 2 to 3 or more improves your surface finish at equivalent feed and speed. |
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