What does a end mill do?
End Mills are used for making shapes and holes in a workpiece during milling, profiling, contouring, slotting, counterboring, drilling and reaming applications. They are designed with cutting teeth on the face and edge of the body and can be used to cut a variety of materials in several directions.
Why is an end mill called an end mill?
While a drill bit can only cut in the axial direction, most milling bits can cut in the radial direction. Not all mills can cut axially; those designed to cut axially are known as end mills.
What is the most common end mill?
Square end mills
Square end mills are the most common ones and can be used for many milling applications, including slotting, profiling and plunge cutting. Corner-radius end mills have slightly rounded corners that help distribute cutting forces evenly to prevent damage to the end mill and extend its life.
What is the difference between an end mill and a drill?
There are a number of significant differences between an end mill and a drill bit. The most obvious one is their function. A drill bit is designed to bore straight down into the material – metal, plastic, or wood – whereas an end mill is designed for sideways cutting. The two cannot be interchanged.
When was the helical flute End Mill invented?
Straight flute end mills were also used historically for metal cutting before invention of helical flute end mill by Carl A. Bergstrom of Weldon Tool Company in 1918.
What kind of applications are end mills used for?
End mills are used in milling applications such as profile milling, tracer milling, face milling, and plunging.
What kind of end mills does Melin use?
Melin offers a large variety of both Carbide and Cobalt HSS end mills. These series are offered with a variety of coating and end style options. Melin continues to expand the product line with improved geometry and coating options.
When do you need to replace an end mill?
It is becoming increasingly common for traditional solid end mills to be replaced by more cost-effective inserted cutting tools (which, though more expensive initially, reduce tool-change times and allow for the easy replacement of worn or broken cutting edges rather than the entire tool).
