So why use an Endmill and not a drill bit? In short, a drill bit moves up and down, an end mill moves side-to-side (Note: there are endmills available that move in all directions).ġ. Popular materials are metals, plastics and wood. Just about any material can be cut using a CNC machine. CNC Routers are now affordable enough to allow DIY enthusiasts access to this high- precision milling tool for carving and engraving.Įndmills, routers and milling cutters are those used in a CNC machine, but if you don’t have a CNC machine then you can use Burrs in a rotary tool.īurrs are available in carbide, steel and diamond. The craft market has recently exploded with exciting compact, table top CNC Routers and Mini-milling machines.
Fastcut endmills software#
Specialised software is used to send automated milling instructions or a ‘toolpath’ to the machine which then cuts away a design in your stock material. Milling cutters, or endmills, are used in a CNC machine: Computerised Numeral Controlled. This article gives you the low down on milling cutters and CNC tooling. They are also commonly used in dynamic or high-efficiency machining (HEM).Ĭoatings play a crucial part in the performance of your cutting tool, however, tool geometry is just as important to be successful.End mills, slot drills, routers, milling cutters, drill bits, V-bits and burrs - what does it all mean?Īnd which bit do I need for what job? For instance, which are the best end mills? and which is the best end mill for aluminium, and which are the best end mills for stainless steel. Six Flute and Above: These are finisher endmills that produce a very fine finish. These are better suited for high-efficiency milling and hard materials. These are most often used when cutting ferrous materials.įive Flute: Have smaller flute spacing than four-flute endmills allowing for more strength than four-flute endmills. They have less flute space than the 3-flute endmill and produce smaller chips. Used for ferrous and non-ferrous materials.įour Flute: Stronger than the three-flute endmill allowing for faster feed rates. Three Flute: The same space between flutes as the two-flute endmill, but are stronger. Two Flute: Used for high-volume removal in slotting and pocketing non-ferrous materials.
Single Flute: Used for high-speed machining of high-volume material removal often in plastics or CFRP. A higher number of flutes will increase the strength of the tool and are better suited for cutting harder materials. A small number of flutes allow for more chip space allowing for faster material removal, but make the tool weaker. It is a cavity that spirals along the axis of the tool body. By creating an endmill with unequal pitch some more some less than 90 degrees, the cutting forces are changed which results in reduced vibration, higher feed rates and better part finishes.įlutes are the cutting surface of the body of the tool. On a standard 4-flute tool the cutting edges would be 90 degrees apart. Variable Pitch: Refers to cutting edge spacing that is unequal. Variable Helix: A variable helix endmill utilizes unequal flute spacing to reduce harmonics which can greatly extend tool life and improve part finish. More flutes increase the tool strength but reduce the cutting depth for a smoother cut better suited for harder materials. Fewer flutes allow for larger chips and a deeper cut depth, but are weaker and best suited for plastics and aluminum. Helix Angle: The angle measured from the centerline of the tool and a straight line tangent along the cutting edge.įlutes: The spiraled cutting grooves in the tool. Length Below Shank: Also called the reach, is the length from the necked portion to the end of the cutting end of the tool.
Length of Cut/Flute Length: The functional cutting depth with the tool in the axial orientation. Overall Length: The total length of the tool between both axial ends. Shank Diameter: The width of the shank that is held in the toolholder. Cutter Diameter: The diameter of the theoretical circle formed by the cutting edges as the tool rotates.
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