What Are the Types of Milling Cutters? A Complete Guide

Milling cutters are precision tools used to shape, cut, and finish materials in machining. Choosing the right type ensures efficiency and accuracy for industrial projects. Here’s a breakdown of common milling cutter types and their applications.

1. End Mills
End mills feature cutting edges on the sides and end, ideal for slotting, profiling, and plunging. Variations include:

• Square-end mills: Create sharp 90° corners.
• Ball-nose mills: Perfect for 3D contouring and rounded grooves.
• Roughing end mills: Remove large material volumes quickly.

2. Face Mills
Equipped with replaceable inserts, face mills machine flat surfaces efficiently. Their large diameter ensures smooth finishes on plates or castings.

3. Slab Mills
Wide, cylindrical tools for heavy-duty surface milling. Best for creating large flat areas in one pass.

4. Side-and-Face Cutters
Combine side and peripheral teeth to machine grooves, slots, and vertical surfaces. Commonly used in gear production.

5. Thread Mills
Cut precise internal/external threads without chip buildup. Ideal for hard materials like stainless steel.

6. Fly Cutters
Use a single-point tool for ultra-smooth finishes on aluminum or plastics. Great for large surface finishing.

7. Indexable Insert Cutters
Replaceable inserts minimize downtime. Suitable for face milling, slotting, and diverse operations.

How to Choose the Right Milling Cutter？
Key factors include material hardness, finish quality, and speed:

• HSS Cutters: Cost-effective for softer materials.
• Carbide-tipped: High-speed, high-temperature resistance.
• Diamond-coated: For abrasive composites or ceramics.

Conclusion
From end mills to thread mills, each milling cutter type serves a unique role in machining. Selecting the right tool boosts efficiency and precision. Explore our CNC milling tools for tailored solutions—contact us today!