An end mill is commonly used in milling machine operations as a type of milling cutter. It features cutting edges on both the cylindrical and end faces, allowing for simultaneous or individual cutting. The lengthwise design of the end mill makes it ideal for machining sidewall surfaces that are perpendicular to the bottom surface of the workpiece.
When it comes to end mills, high-speed steel and carbide are the two materials that are commonly used. Carbide is known for its higher hardness and stronger cutting force compared to high-speed steel. By increasing the speed and feed rate of the machine, the tool becomes less visible and productivity levels rise. This also enables the machine to work on materials that are otherwise difficult to machine such as stainless and hardened steel. However, the downside to using carbide materials is that they are brittle, expensive to purchase, and tend to suffer from tool damage when there is a sudden change in cutting forces. Cost reduction is only possible with dynamic milling on CNC machines.
