Milling machines use different types of milling tools for specific applications, including end mills, slot cutters, roughing cutters, slab cutters, hollow cutters, ball nose cutters, wood cutters, and involute gear cutters. Each tool is designed to run a specific application quickly and efficiently, and several tools may be required to shape and finish a single piece.
Milling machines use different types of milling tools for particular applications. The most common types of milling tools are end mills and slot cutters which perform similar actions. Roughing cutters create rough cuts and slab cutters produce wide cuts. Hollow cutters are used to smooth cylinders while ball nose cutters produce three-dimensional shapes. A wood cutter creates grooves, and an involute gear cutter is shaped like a circular saw blade.
A milling machine is designed to shape a surface by feeding the workpiece against various types of milling tools. These milling tools have cutting teeth and rotate against the workpiece. Most of these tools are constructed of a heat-resistant, high-speed steel material. Each tool is designed to run a specific application quickly and efficiently. Several milling tools may be required to shape and finish a single piece.
A milling cutter is one of the most commonly used milling tools. It has cutting teeth at one end and along the sides. Its appearance is similar to a drill bit and is typically used with routers. A slot drill has two fluted cutters with a single tooth in the center and is typically employed to make slotted openings. This milling tool is capable of drilling directly into a workpiece.
A roughing end mill is also called a rip end mill. It is useful for cutting large pieces of material. A roughing cutter has a set of wavy cutting teeth and typically leaves a rough finished surface. Its wavy teeth are designed to minimize vibration during use. This tool is known for its quiet operation and zigzag cutting pattern.
Slab mills are used to make cuts along the outside edge of a piece. This cylinder-shaped cutter has cutting teeth set at a helix angle. This mounting angle allows the tool to distribute its cutting force slowly. A plate cutter is typically used with a horizontal router to cut large flat surfaces quickly.
A hollow end mill tool is shaped like a tube with internal cutting teeth. It is mainly used to finish the outside of cylindrical pieces. A ball nose milling tool creates three-dimensional shapes and forms. It is similar to a slot drill and is often referred to as a ball mill. A Woodruff milling tool is used to make grooves in a workpiece.
Involute cutters are versatile milling tools in the shape of a circular saw blade. They are available in a variety of different sizes for various milling applications. This tool has a total of 12 cutting teeth arranged around its circumference. The size options of an involute cutter make it suitable for a variety of milling tasks.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
