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Latest Trend in End Mills and Cutting Tools
Latest Trend in End Mills and Cutting Tools
by: Dave Butry
A new line of aluminum cutting end mills have recently been introduced to the
mix. These tools are made from sub-micro grain carbide and are available in
regular and long lengths. Additionally, they can be ordered uncoated or with a
high performance zirconium coating. We have been marketing American made tooling
on the internet and have been serving customers for over 2 years. We offer a
full line of metal cutting tools such as…end mills, drill bits, threadmills,
micro end mills, hand taps, NPT Pipe taps, S&D drill bits, and center drills.
End mills are fluted tools designed specifically for periphery and slot cutting
applications. They can be used to machine steel, plastic, wood, stainless steel,
aluminum and many other materials. They are sought after because of their
precise ability to cut to exacting tolerances when utilizing a manual or CNC
milling machine. A flute is simply a cutting edge, sometimes with a helix,
sometimes straight, your application will determine which style you choose.
Helical flutes pull the chips up, and out of the way, the cutter can then cut
more freely reducing heat buildup and decreasing machine cycle times.
End mills can have a vast number of flutes. Most common in machine shops are 2,
3 and 4 flute tools. Four flute cutters give you four cuts per rotation and are
preferred in profile milling applications. Four flutes are not as useful in
softer materials because they do not provide enough space between the flutes to
evacuate chips sufficiently, whereas the two flute cutters are not as durable in
very abrasive materials. Therefore, two flute end mills are superior in softer
more flexible materials and four or more flute cutters are generally preferred
in very hard or abrasive materials.
When using an end mill to cut a slot in a work piece, it’s best to have a hole
already in the part. That way the end mill will not have to cut to center.
Kodiak cutting tools offers a wide variety of hss, cobalt and carbide drill bits
for your slot starting needs. Also, a two flute end mill is the best tool for a
slotting cut. When a 2 flute end mill is used, the chips are lifted out of the
slot. If the chips don’t get up and out of the cutters way, the end mill will
re-cut the chips causing premature failure. Additionally, if a four flute end
mill is used, the chips may become lodged in the flutes causing the tool to
break. Kodiak Cutting Tools offers a wide variety of 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 flute end
mills.
About The Author Written By Dave Butry, An associate of
www.kodiakcuttingtools.com. |
