Milling machine tools are cutting tools for milling machines and CNC machining centers. They remove material from metal, plastique, graphite, and other workpieces to create slots, holes, profils, flat surfaces, threads, and 3D shapes.
Pour les acheteurs, engineers, and machinists, choosing the right milling tool is important. Par conséquent, the correct cutter can improve surface finish, reduce tool wear, and make machining more stable.
Cependant, different tools have different shapes and functions. Donc, this guide explains the most common milling machine tools, their names, their uses, and how to choose the right tool for different CNC milling operations.

What Are Milling Machine Tools?
Manufacturers use milling machine tools as rotary cutting tools for milling operations. These tools usually have one or more cutting edges. When the tool rotates, the cutting edges remove material from the workpiece.
Many factories use these tools in mold making, machinery manufacturing, pièces automobiles, pièces aérospatiales, electronic components, et travail des métaux en général. Common milling tools include end mills, moulins à visage, fraises à bout sphérique, bull nose end mills, Fraises à rainure en T, side milling cutters, thread milling cutters, drills, and reamers.
En mots simples, milling machine tools help manufacturers cut different shapes with accuracy, stabilité, and repeatability.
Common Milling Machine Tools Names and Uses
The table below shows common tools used in milling machines and their main applications. This section also helps users who search for “milling machine tools list”, “milling cutter types”, and “tools used in milling machine”.
| Milling Tool Name | Utilisation principale | Common Application |
|---|---|---|
| Fraise en bout | Rainurage, profilage, fraisage latéral | Fraisage CNC général |
| Fraise à bout sphérique | 3D contouring and curved surfaces | Mold machining, die making |
| Fraise à nez arrondi | Semi-finishing and stronger corners | Steel and stainless steel machining |
| Coupe-rainure en T | T-slots and undercuts | Machine tables, luminaires |
| Fraise latérale | Side cutting and groove milling | Machines à sous, épaules, side surfaces |
| Fraisage du visage | CutterFlat surface machining | Large surface finishing |
| Fraise à fileter | Internal and external threads | CNC thread machining |
| Foret | Hole making | Pre-drilling before milling |
| Reamer | Precision hole finishing | High-accuracy holes |
For general slotting, profilage, et fraisage d'épaulements, many factories use an Fraise en bout.
You can also check Fraises CNC.for more CNC cutting tool options
Main Types of Milling Machine Tools
Fraises en bout
End mill cutters are among the most common milling machine tools. They can cut from the side and the end of the tool. Because of this design, they are suitable for slotting, profilage, contouring, fraisage de poche, et fraisage d'épaulements.
End mills are available in different flute numbers, revêtements, longueurs, and materials. Par exemple, 2 flute end mills are often used for aluminum and soft materials because they offer better chip removal. En revanche, 4 flute end mills are more suitable for steel and stainless steel because they provide stronger cutting stability.
For general CNC machining, an end mill cutter for CNC milling.is usually one of the first tools to consider.
Fraises à bout sphérique
Ball nose end mills have a round cutting tip. This design makes them suitable for 3D surface machining, surfaces courbes, cavités de moule, and complex contours.
Mold shops often use ball nose end mills for die machining, graphite machining, and precision finishing. Compared with flat end mills, ball nose tools can produce smoother curved surfaces. Cependant, they are not the best choice for sharp inside corners.
When machining 3D profiles and mold cavities, fraises à bout sphérique are a better choice.
Bull Nose End Mills
Bull nose end mills are also called corner radius end mills. They have a small radius on the cutting corner. This radius improves tool strength and reduces corner chipping.
Par conséquent, bull nose end mills work well for semi-finishing, rough finishing, and machining materials such as steel and stainless steel. They are also a good choice when the tool needs more corner strength than a sharp flat end mill.
For stronger corner cutting and semi-finishing, voir fraise à nez arrondi.
T-Slot Cutters
T-slot cutters cut T-shaped slots in machine tables, luminaires, moules, and clamping systems. This tool usually works after a straight slot has already been made.
D'abord, an end mill opens the slot. Alors, the T-slot cutter creates the wider undercut area. Donc, you should not use a T-slot cutter as the first tool for opening a straight slot.
For slot and undercut machining, you can use a Fraise à rainure en T.
Side Milling Cutters
Side milling cutters cut grooves, machines à sous, et surfaces latérales. They remove material from the side of the workpiece and help machine wider or deeper grooves.
Dans de nombreux cas, factories use these cutters for general machinery, mold parts, and metal component production. They are suitable when the cutting operation needs stable side cutting.
For groove and side surface machining, voir side milling cutter.
Outils de coupe en carbure monobloc
Solid carbide cutting tools are widely used in modern CNC machining. Carbide has higher hardness and better wear resistance than high-speed steel. Donc, it supports higher cutting speeds and longer tool life.
Many manufacturers choose solid carbide tools for steel, acier inoxydable, fonte, aluminium, cuivre, graphite, and hardened materials. En outre, coatings can improve heat resistance and wear resistance.
For high-precision CNC machining, you can choose outils de coupe en carbure monobloc.

How to Choose Milling Machine Tools by Operation
Different milling operations need different tool designs. Donc, you should choose the tool based on the cutting task first.
| Opération d'usinage | Outil recommandé | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Rainurage | End mill cutter | Good for straight slots and pockets |
| Fraisage latéral | End mill or side milling cutter | Stable side cutting |
| 3D surface machining | Ball nose end mill | Smooth curved surface cutting |
| Semi-finition | Bull nose end mill | Stronger cutting corner |
| T-slot machining | Fraise à rainure en T | Creates T-shaped slots |
| Graphite machining | Diamond-coated end mill | Better wear resistance |
For Slotting
End mills are usually the most common choice for slotting. UN 2 flute end mill is useful for aluminum and other soft materials because it has more chip space. Entre-temps, un 4 flute end mill is better for steel when higher stability is needed.
For aluminum and slotting, voir 2 fraise à cannelure.
For Side Milling and Profiling
When you need side milling, choose an end mill with good rigidity and a suitable flute length. If the workpiece material is harder, coated carbide end mills can improve tool life.
Pour l'usinage de l'acier, voir 4 fraise à cannelure.
For 3D Surface Machining
For 3D surfaces, curved profiles, and mold cavities, ball nose end mills are more suitable. Their round tip can follow complex tool paths and produce smooth surfaces.
For mold and 3D surface machining, voir fraises à bout sphérique.
For T-Slot Machining
Use a T-slot cutter for T-slots and undercuts. Cependant, do not use it for the first straight slot. D'abord, use an end mill to make the opening. Alors, use the T-slot cutter to finish the special shape.
For undercut machining, voir Fraise à rainure en T.
For Graphite and Abrasive Materials
Graphite and other abrasive materials can wear normal tools quickly. Pour cette raison, many graphite machining shops choose diamond-coated tools because they improve wear resistance and keep the cutting edge sharper for longer.
Pour l'usinage du graphite, choose diamond-coated end mills.
Comment choisir les outils de fraisage par matériau
En outre, le matériau est l'un des facteurs les plus importants lors du choix des fraiseuses. Un outil qui fonctionne bien pour l'aluminium peut ne pas fonctionner bien pour l'acier inoxydable ou le graphite..
| Matériau de la pièce | Choix d'outils suggéré | Raison principale |
| Aluminium | 2 flûte ou 3 fraise à cannelure | Meilleure élimination des copeaux |
| Acier | 4 fraise en bout de carbure de cannelure | Stabilité de coupe plus forte |
| Acier inoxydable | Fraise en carbure revêtue | Meilleure résistance à la chaleur et à l’usure |
| Graphite | Diamond-coated end mill | Durée de vie de l'outil plus longue |
| Acier trempé | Outil en carbure revêtu haute performance | Dureté et rigidité plus élevées |
Aluminium
L'aluminium est mou, mais il peut coller au tranchant si l'élimination des copeaux est mauvaise. Pour cette raison, les outils avec moins de cannelures et les cannelures polies sont souvent préférés. UN 2 flûte ou 3 La fraise à cannelure peut aider à éliminer les copeaux en douceur.
Acier
L'acier a besoin d'arêtes de coupe plus solides et d'une meilleure rigidité des outils. Dans de nombreux cas, 4 Les fraises en carbure à cannelures conviennent au fraisage de l'acier. Les outils revêtus peuvent également améliorer la résistance à la chaleur et la durée de vie de l'outil.
Acier inoxydable
Stainless steel is more difficult to machine because it can generate heat and work harden. Donc, you need a sharp carbide tool, stable clamping, and a suitable coating. Proper cutting parameters are also important.
Graphite
Le graphite est abrasif, so tool wear is a major problem. Diamond-coated end mills are often used because they provide better wear resistance and longer tool life.
Acier trempé
For hardened steel, tool hardness, revêtement, conception de flûte, and rigidity are very important. High-performance carbide end mills or special coated tools are usually required.

Milling Machine Tools Selection Checklist
Before choosing milling machine tools, check the points below. This can help reduce wrong tool selection and improve machining efficiency.
| Point de sélection | Que vérifier |
| Matériau de la pièce | Aluminium, acier, acier inoxydable, graphite, acier trempé |
| Opération d'usinage | Rainurage, profilage, ébauche, finition, forage, threading |
| Matériau de l'outil | HSS, carbure, coated carbide, diamond-coated carbide |
| Numéro de flûte | 2 flûte, 3 flûte, 4 flûte, 6 flûte |
| Revêtement | TiAlN, Or, Contenu téléchargeable, diamond coating |
| Tool Size | Diamètre, longueur de flûte, diamètre de la tige, longueur totale |
| Machine Condition | CNC rigidity, vitesse de broche, tool holding |
| Exigence de surface | Ebauche, semi-finition, finition |
Donc, a correct tool choice should match the material, cutting operation, état de la machine, et exigence de finition de surface. It is better not to choose a milling cutter only by price. Dans de nombreux cas, a more suitable cutter can reduce tool wear, improve surface finish, and lower the total machining cost.
FAQ About Milling Machine Tools
What are the different types of tools used in milling machines?
Common tools used in milling machines include end mills, fraises à bout sphérique, bull nose end mills, moulins à visage, Fraises à rainure en T, side milling cutters, thread milling cutters, forets, and reamers. Each tool has a different shape and cutting purpose.
What is the most common milling machine tool?
The end mill cutter is one of the most common milling machine tools. It can be used for slotting, fraisage latéral, profilage, fraisage de poche, et contouring.
For general CNC milling, you can check our Fraise en bout.
Which milling tool is used for slots?
End mills are commonly used for straight slots. For T-shaped slots, a T-slot cutter is needed after the first slot is opened.
For T-slot machining, voir Fraise à rainure en T.
How do I choose a milling cutter for CNC machining?
D'abord, check the material you need to cut. Alors, confirm the machining operation, such as slotting, ébauche, finition, or 3D contouring. After that, choose the correct tool type, numéro de flûte, revêtement, and size.
If you are not sure, you can send the material, dessin, taille de l'outil, and machining requirement to the tool supplier for advice.
Conclusion
Milling machine tools include many cutter types, such as end mills, fraises à bout sphérique, bull nose end mills, Fraises à rainure en T, side milling cutters, and carbide cutting tools. Each tool has a different function, so the right choice depends on the material, machining method, état de surface, et exigence de production.
If you need custom milling cutters for CNC machining, Cutterbest can support different tool types, sizes, revêtements, et exigences de candidature.
For common CNC milling applications, start with our Fraises CNC.
Pour le rainurage et le profilage généraux, voir notre Fraise en bout.
For graphite and abrasive materials, choose diamond-coated end mills.
Fraise de précision,Outils de coupe pour l’usinage CNC de chaque matériau
