No two endmills are the same – it’s all about understanding what is best for the material and machining you’re targeting. This means it pays to familiarize yourself with how to select the ideal endmill for your application. To make it easier, we’ve crafted this guide, which should provide a strong basis for making the correct choice.
It’s essential to think about the material you’re cutting in order to determine which end mill to use. There is a variety of materials available to choose from, each of which has its own merits and shortcomings. The foremost materials found in end mills are:
When it comes to end mills, carbide is king. Created from carbon steel combined with tungsten carbide, these ultra-hard tools can handle most demanding of materials. Though durable, improper handling can render them irreparably damaged, making it essential to use caution when utilizing them.
End Mills crafted from high-speed steel employ a steel alloy combined with tungsten to create a piece of equipment strong enough to tackle harder materials while remaining malleable enough to shape softer objects. Despite this versatility, it is important to note that they are not as durable and robust as their carbide contemporaries and therefore should not be used for labor-intensive applications.
When it comes to end mills, those crafted with cobalt stand out amongst the rest. Composed of a steel alloy flooded with cobalt, these components are stronger than their HSS cousins; in addition, they possess the power to endure much higher temperatures.
When machining, it is critical to identify the type of end mill needed to complete the task. Depending on the application, you can select from a wide range of end mill styles designed for various machining tasks, such as:
The milling process most regularly employed is known as plain milling: it yields flat surfaces as its end product, attributes that make it exceptionally well-suited for a variety of tasks.
End mills can be used to reliably craft flat surfaces on the workpiece, each one precisely perpendicular to it. This process is known as face milling.
If you need to create slots or grooves in a material, slot milling might be the perfect option for you. This method is specifically designed to help craft pockets and channels in materials.
With ball milling, you can give your edges a rounded, polished finish.
With an approach used to rapidly remove large amounts of material, roughing stands as an effective method.
The act of completing is often referred to as finishing, and this helps to give an even feel to the surface.
With a clear understanding of the material and machinery required, you can confidently narrow down your selection of end mills and identify the most suitable one for your project.
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Post time: 2023-07-07