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Because cutting tools come in a wide range of sizes, geometry types and materials, knowing your end mills is crucial for quality CNC milling. For optimum efficiency, you will need a variety of tools to produce a detailed workpiece, so don’t limit yourself to a single tool or toolpath.

Cutting Tool Direction

CNC routers turn cutting tools in a clockwise direction. The helical direction of the flutes – the way the spiral twists around the cutter – will determine whether the cut chips of material will be ejected at the top or the bottom of the workpiece. As the name suggests, an upcut end mill will eject the chips towards the upper surface of the workpiece. The main advantage of using an upcut end mill is that the bottom surface of the workpiece will be cleanly cut. However, the disadvantage is that as the chips are ejected upwards they may cause tearout on the upper surface.

It is also important to bear in mind that the greater number of flutes on the end mill, the smoother the finish will be. Fewer flutes mean more efficient chip clearing, which prevent heat build-up. The effects the tools have on your material can be controlled by your sections of end mill type and the cutting speed that you choose.

Don’t forget the quality of your project depends on choosing the right cutting tools, and if you get it right, you won’t have to spend as much time on hand finishing.

At CAMaster, we use machinery, hardware and software to improve your company’s productivity and efficiency. Our team has a vast knowledge base and we are committed to sharing our experience with you to help you take your enterprise to the next level. Call us today to talk to find out more about comparing accuracy between CNC machines.