An end mill is a sophisticated cutting tool employed in industrial machining processes. It is manufactured from hardened steel or carbide with machined edges, flutes, and ends to remove material from workpieces. End mills are ubiquitous, as they are used for countless functions in a vast selection of industries.
When machining a workpiece, end mills can be used to accomplish both milling and drilling operations; the cutter is spun in order to either remove material from the workpiece–in the former case–or create holes by drilling–in the latter. In both instances, the goal is to obtain a desired shape or aperture.
Durability and precision are the two main aspects that characterize end mill options. Whether it’s High-Speed Steel (HSS) or carbide, each variation provides unique advantages for various demands of the job. For instance, HSS end mills are crafted tougher, and can therefore thrive in fast-paced machining operations. On the other hand, while carbide end mills offer great precision, they may be at a disadvantage when dealing with strength; brittleness is something they simply cannot get around.
Machining ferrous and non-ferrous metals, plastics, and composites is commonly done with end mills. They can also be employed to create drill holes, ream, and countersink.
Commonly found end mills can vary in size and style.The most common options include:
Ball end mills sport a circular head in place of a square one that is designed specifically for crafting curved contours on surfaces.
Bullnose end mills possess a sharp, flat end, excellent for fashioning even surfaces.
Challenging angled surfaces? Chamfer end mills provide the perfect solution! Boasting beveled tips, these heavy-duty tools make it easy to machine complex tasks, no matter the position.
With their tapered tips, Countersink end mills are utilized to machine countersinks into a surface.
For the purpose of drilling, drill end mills have a pointed apex that is sharp and ready to create the necessary hole.
Reamer end mills contain a specialized fluted tip that is utilized to refine and expand pre-existing openings.
End mills crafted from a multitude of materials can be found in the market. The most regularly acquired include:
Precision industries have found carbide end mills to be indispensable for their high-speed machining operations. This is because these tools are created using a carbide substrate, making them very reliable for producing accurate results quickly.
Designed for superior performance during high speed machining procedures, cobalt end mills are crafted from cobalt-based material to provide supreme power and accuracy.
End mills crafted from a high-speed steel material are suitable for a wide variety of machining tasks, referred to as HSS. These end mills are an exceptional choice for anyone looking to perform general purpose machining.
Crafted from a titanium substrate, titanium end mills are specially designed to facilitate high-speed machining operations.
