Types, specification ranges and standard codes of commonly used milling cutters
Milling cutters are commonly used in machining operations. They come in a wide variety of types to suit different machining needs. They can be categorized by application, including face milling cutters, end mills, side and face milling cutters, keyway milling cutters, and form milling cutters. Face milling cutters are primarily used for machining flat surfaces. Their teeth are located on cylindrical surfaces and end faces, and are categorized into coarse and fine tooth profiles. Coarse tooth face milling cutters have fewer teeth and a larger chip space, making them suitable for roughing operations; fine tooth face milling cutters have more teeth and are used for finishing operations. End mills are cylindrical shank milling cutters with cutting edges on the end, making them suitable for machining flat surfaces, steps, grooves, and other surfaces. Side and face milling cutters have teeth on the circumference and both end faces, making them suitable for machining grooves and steps. The teeth on both end faces provide lateral cutting. Keyway milling cutters are specifically designed for machining keyways. They come in straight or tapered shanks, and the end cutting edges can be fed axially. Form milling cutters are used for machining surfaces with specific shapes, such as gears and threads, and their tooth shape matches the workpiece’s surface.
Common milling cutter specifications are primarily categorized by tool diameter, length, and number of teeth, with significant differences between different types. Face milling cutters typically have a diameter of 80-315mm, with length varying depending on the diameter. Coarse-tooth milling cutters typically have 6-10 teeth, while fine-tooth milling cutters have 10-20. End mills have a wider range of diameters, from 2mm to 80mm. Straight-shank end mills have smaller diameters, typically 2-20mm, while tapered-shank end mills have larger diameters, ranging from 20-80mm, and lengths from 50-300mm. Side and face milling cutters typically have a diameter of 50-200mm and a width of 10-50mm. The number of teeth varies significantly depending on the diameter. Keyway milling cutters have a diameter that matches the keyway width, with common sizes ranging from 6-50mm and lengths from 50-200mm. The specifications of the forming milling cutter are determined according to the shape and size of the processed parts. For example, the specifications of the gear milling cutter correspond to the module of the gear, and the module range is usually 1-20mm.
Milling cutter standardization codes are crucial for regulating the production and selection of milling cutters. Different countries and regions have established corresponding standards. In my country, milling cutter standards are primarily based on national (GB) standards. For example, GB/T 1115.1-2002 specifies the dimensions and technical requirements for straight-shank end mills, while GB/T 1115.2-2002 regulates end mills with tapered shanks. The standard for face milling cutters is GB/T 1124.1-2007, which defines the parameters for coarse-tooth and fine-tooth face milling cutters. Internationally, standards developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) are commonly used, such as ISO 10890-1:2012, “Milling Cutters – Part 1: Dimensions of Straight-shank End Mills.” The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) also has relevant standards, such as ANSI B94.19-1985. These standards not only define milling cutter specifications but also provide detailed requirements for material, hardness, and precision grade, ensuring quality and interchangeability.
The standard designations for different types of milling cutters closely correspond to their specifications, making them easy for users to search and select. End mill markings typically include information such as type, diameter, length, standard designation, and material. For example, “Straight shank end mill φ10×100 GB/T 1115.1 W18Cr4V” indicates the diameter, 100 indicates the length, and W18Cr4V refers to high-speed steel. A face milling cutter might be marked as “Coarse tooth face mill φ100×30×27 GB/T 1124.1 9SiCr,” where φ100 represents the diameter, 30 represents the width, 27 represents the hole diameter, and 9SiCr refers to the alloy tool steel. An example of a side and face milling cutter designation might be “Side and face milling cutter φ80×20×22 GB/T 6119.1,” where φ80 represents the diameter, 20 represents the width, and 22 represents the hole diameter. These markings clearly reflect key information about the milling cutter, facilitating accurate identification during procurement and use.
Correctly selecting the type and specifications of milling cutters, and products that comply with standard codes, is crucial to ensuring machining quality and efficiency. When selecting a milling cutter, the type, material, and precision requirements of the machining surface should be considered. For example, a flat milling cutter is preferred for machining flat surfaces, while a keyway milling cutter is preferred for machining keyways. The selection of specifications should be based on machining allowances and machine tool performance. A milling cutter that is too large may exceed the machine’s load capacity, while one that is too small will affect machining efficiency. At the same time, it is important to ensure that the selected milling cutter complies with the relevant standard codes to ensure its quality and interchangeability. Especially in mass production, standardized milling cutters can reduce machining errors and improve product consistency. Furthermore, the characteristics of the material being machined must also be considered. For example, when machining difficult-to-machine materials such as stainless steel and high-temperature alloys, carbide or coated milling cutters should be used to improve cutting performance and tool life. Through scientific and rational selection, the milling cutter’s performance can be fully utilized, improving machining results.
