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Latest
Trend in End Mills and Cutting Tools
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by:
Dave Butry
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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.
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