Which Flutes to Choose?

End mills have cutting edges on their nose and sides that remove material from the surface of a piece of stock. They are used on CNC or manual milling machines to create parts with complex shapes and features such as slots, pockets, and grooves. One of the most significant considerations during end mill selection is the proper flute count. Both the material and application play an important role in this decision.

1. Flutes selected according to different materials:

When working in non-ferrous materials, the most common options are the 2 or 3-flute tools. Traditionally, the 2-flute option has been the desired choice because it allows for excellent chip clearance. However, the 3-flute option has proven successful in finishing and high-efficiency milling because the higher flute amount will have more contact points with the material.

Ferrous Materials can be machined using anywhere from 3 to 14-flutes, depending on the operation being performed.

2. Flutes selected according to different applications:

Traditional Roughing: When roughing, a large amount of material must pass through the tool’s flute valleys en route to being evacuated. Because of this, a low number of flutes – and larger flute valleys – are recommended. Tools with 3, 4, or 5 flutes are commonly used for traditional roughing.

Slotting: A 4-flute option is the best choice, as the lower flute count results in larger flute valleys and more efficient chip evacuation.

Finishing: When finishing in a ferrous material, a high flute count is recommended for the best results. Finishing End Mills include anywhere from 5-to-14 flutes. The proper tool depends on how much material remains to be removed from a part.

HEM: HEM is a style of roughing that can be very effective and result in significant time savings for machine shops. When machining a HEM tool path, opt for 5 to 7-flutes.

After reading this passage, you can have the basic knowledge to know how to select the number of flutes. If you are interested in end mill and want more information and details, you can CONTACT US by phone or mail at the left or SEND US MAIL at the bottom of the page.