What are the Milling Cutters used in Milling Machine?

The milling cutters are revolving tools having several cutting edges of identical form equally spaced on the circumference of the cutter. The cutting elements are called teeth, which intermittently engage the work piece and remove material, by relative movement of the work piece and cutter.

Types of Milling Cutters Teeth

Cutter teeth are the actual cutting area of the cutter. This must be proper to obtain free cutting, correct shape and good finish. Various types of teeth are explained below.

Non Relieved Cutter

It is the cheapest type of tooth produced either in straight or in spiral form and still in frequent use in end mills, metal slitting cutters and the smaller sizes of plain milling cutters. The cutting edges are given clearance by backing off the land about 50. Teeth are ground on the top. They lose their height and diameter after every sharpening.

Form Relieved Cutter

In this category of milling cutters a curved relief is provided at the back of the cutting edges. The cutters are sharpened by grinding the faces of the teeth. The form-relieved cutters are mainly used for generating contoured surfaces. They may be resharpened repeatedly until the teeth are too thin to permit further grinding for practical use.

Inserted Milling Cutters

In large milling cutters, the teeth or blades are inserted or secured in a body of less expensive material. The blades are usually held in the cutter body by mechanical means. This arrangement reduces the cost of the cutter and enables economy in maintenance, as a single tooth is broken can be readily replaced.