M&M Sales and Equipment offers end mills and other accessories made by Sandvik and Guhring. We also offer other cutting equipment and accessories from Drillco, Guhring and Drillco. Here's a brief guide to end mills and how to select the most appropriate one for the jobat hand:

It's no secret that machinists tend to speak in their own dialect - even in something as simple as basic math. 1. is the starting point for all of the world's counting. Ask a machine operator how they count and they'll explain that it all begins at one-thousandths or one-thousandths (0.001")

The same is true when we speak about cutting tools. Machining terminology isn't exactly the same to a layman. {To the outside world, the To get rid of material Industrial CNC (Computer Numeric Control) machines make use of rotating cutting tools called endmills.

What exactly is an end mill and how is it different from drill bits? Drill bits are inserted vertically into material to create holes while end mills are typically used to cut laterally and horizontally, but a majority of mills cut vertically too.

Here's a great image that demonstrates the difference between a standard drill bit and an end mill:

Making the Right End Mill for Your Job

End mills are used for a reason. Each tip design offers a distinct clearing path for various applications. Deciphering what end mill to select is largely based on the task, what kind of material has to be cut and the desired surface finish. Making the wrong choice with a cutting tool could cause a lot of damage to a work piece, causing you to scrap all of the material. This is not only an immense waste of time however, it can also be a huge expense to your business.

There are a variety of factors to take into consideration when choosing the right end mill for your CNC operation. We've distilled some of the most important points from Machining News to help you select the right end mill.

End Mill Length

Decide the cut depth that your end mill will make. The endmill with the shortest length that is able to cut the job is the best. Why? The tool's stability is enhanced when you select the most compact length. This will allow for greater speed and feeds, while reducing the tendency for the tool to chatter.

End Mill Materials

Two of the most popular materials used in the manufacturing of end mills are high speed steel (HSS) and carbide. HSS is beneficial in older slow, less rigid machines as also in one-off or very short run production. It's slower to operate but it's also less costly, less brittle and more accommodating to unstable situations. Carbide is preferred in CNC machine tools that need more speed, less tools to change and a higher productivity. These applications are more cost-effective since they have a greater tool life and shorter cycles.

Flute count

The flutes are the loops of helical grooves which wrap around the sides of mill end bits. For long-chipping materials like aluminum, a smaller number of flutes (between 2 and 3 flute tools) will give more space for flutes. A greater number of flutes will reduce flute space but offer higher efficiency for shorter-chipping materials like medium to high carbon steel or iron. For stainless steel, steel, high temp alloys as well as iron, a four-flute endmill is recommended for slotting purposes and can be a great general-purpose tool. If you are working on projects that require a low radius depth of cut, higher flute counts are recommended to ensure chip evacuation.

End Geometry

The tool's success depends on the choice of the correct carbide end mills. It is essential to pay attention to what materials are recommended to be used in a tool. The manufacturer's suggestions for the material's feeding speed and rate are also crucial.

End Mill Coatings

Coatings are helpful in reducing friction as well as shielding the carbide from the heat produced during cutting. Certain coatings might be more suitable for specific materials. It is crucial to pay attention to the instructions of the manufacturer to make sure that you're using the correct coating.

Tool Life

It's not always better to be less expensive. It's essential to use the proper tools for large-scale production and large work loads. Making the wrong choice with inadequate or ineffective tools will cost you both time and money in the form of wasted material, scrap, wasted tool spend and wear and tear to the machines you use for CNC.