Milling is a complex metal removal process that usually involves a clamped workpiece being fed in a linear direction into a multiple tooth rotating cutter. Due to the vast variety of machinery, controls and tools that are available, milling is one of the universal machining methods of choice. It offers excellent machining efficiency, good surface finishes, great flexibility and a high degree of accuracy. While turning is frequently used to create round surfaces with a single cutting edge, milling normally uses several cutting edges in a single tool to create flat faces, shoulders, slots and contoured surfaces. There are many types of machine tools used to perform a milling operation, including manually controlled, numerically controlled and special dedicated machines.
Dapra Corporation Launches New Indexable Milling Platform
The new Vapor platform features elements in body design and TRI-X2 insert geometry for higher metal-removal rates and extended tool life.
Milling Tools: Essential Reading
Sandvik Coromant Launches New Range of Solid End Mills
The CoroMill Dura range is designed for roughing and finishing with different engagements in all applications and materials.
Walter Introduces Coated Grade for Machining Aluminum
The WXN15 coated grade inserts can be used for copy milling, face milling, ramping, pocket milling and circular interpolation milling.
Sandvik Coromant Extends Line of Ceramic Milling Heads
Sandvik Coromant has developed two solutions designed for shoulder and face milling of nickel-alloy aero-engine parts.
Sandvik Cormant Introduces Lightweight Milling Tool
The new CoroMill MF80 for automotive milling offer a 40% lighter cutter body with shim protection and a high number of inserts.
ANCA Creates Solid PCD-Tipped Helical End Mills, Drills
The company’s Edge machine is capable of creating complex 3D cutting tool forms, including solid PCD-tipped end mills and drills under 1 mm.
FAQ: Milling Tools
What is milling?
At its most basic, milling is the meeting of a rotating tool with a clamped and stationary workpiece, as opposed to turning where the tool is stationary and the work material rotates. Actually, the workpiece has feed motion imparted from the machine tool. The meeting of the rotary motion of the cutter and the cutting edge of the tools produces fluctuating cutting forces: vibration, heat, and, if all goes well, chips.
Source: A New Milling 101: What Milling Is, Then and Now (Plus a Glossary of Milling Terms)
What is a milling machine?
Milling machines may have either vertical or horizontal spindle orientation, and typically, face milling cuts flat surfaces, but multi-axis CNC machines make it possible to include three-dimensional movements. That said, there are four basic categories of milling: face milling, periphery milling, slot milling, and specialty applications.
Source: A New Milling 101: What Milling Is, Then and Now (Plus a Glossary of Milling Terms)
What are the basic categories of milling?
Face milling: Used for creating a flat surface (face) on the workpiece. The cutting plane is usually perpendicular to the axis of rotation and the cutters most often feature a single row of inserts, designed with a wide range of cutting geometries, inserts, lead angles, and mounting adaptations.
Periphery milling: Generates a primary surface parallel to the spindle rotation. A secondary surface is sometimes produced. The cutting plane is usually parallel to the axis of rotation.
Slot milling: Used for producing a slot or channel in the workpiece. There are two primary types of slot milling cutters: disk mills and end mills. Disk mills can be high-speed steel, brazed carbide, and indexable-insert-based. They are typically used in operations perpendicular to the spindle rotation.
Specialty applications: Includes copy milling, plunge milling, ramping, helical and circular interpolation, trochoidal, and others.
Source: A New Milling 101: What Milling Is, Then and Now (Plus a Glossary of Milling Terms)
Milling Tools Suppliers
CNC Machining Gets a Composite Infusion
High-volume milling illuminates the potential of merging metal with lighter, vibration-resistant materials.
Widia Introduces Solid End Mill for Shoulder and Side Milling
The WCE solid end milling series features a five-flute geometry specifically designed for optimal performance when shoulder milling and side milling carbon, stainless steel and cast iron.
Dapra Corporation Launches New Indexable Milling Platform
The new Vapor platform features elements in body design and TRI-X2 insert geometry for higher metal-removal rates and extended tool life.
Sandvik Coromant Launches New Range of Solid End Mills
The CoroMill Dura range is designed for roughing and finishing with different engagements in all applications and materials.
Walter Introduces Coated Grade for Machining Aluminum
The WXN15 coated grade inserts can be used for copy milling, face milling, ramping, pocket milling and circular interpolation milling.
Sandvik Coromant Extends Line of Ceramic Milling Heads
Sandvik Coromant has developed two solutions designed for shoulder and face milling of nickel-alloy aero-engine parts.
Sandvik Cormant Introduces Lightweight Milling Tool
The new CoroMill MF80 for automotive milling offer a 40% lighter cutter body with shim protection and a high number of inserts.
