Radius End Mill: A High-Efficiency Cutting Tool
The radius end mill is a highly efficient cutting tool similar to an end mill, but with a smaller radius at the corner. This feature not only enhances the tool's strength but also allows for the production of small-radius components. It excels at quickly removing residual material from the corners of a workpiece. Due to its rounded corner, resembling that of a ball-end mill, it is also known as the "radius end mill," "corner radius end mill," or "R-corner end mill." This tool design combines the advantages of both end mills and ball-end mills, like merging the best of two different tools into a versatile option. Although it may not fully maximize the benefits of each individual tool, it offers flexibility and a wide range of applications. Thus, the radius end mill is emerging as an exceptional choice for mold making, precision machining, and 3D surface milling in the era of Industry 4.0.
Because the tool tip features an R-corner design while retaining the cutting edge on the bottom surface, it can be seen as an end mill with a radius smaller than the tool diameter. When machining relatively flat surfaces, the radius end mill can also achieve faster milling speeds, with excellent chip evacuation capabilities. Additionally, the radius end mill creates a curved radius between vertical and horizontal surfaces during cutting, making it ideal for fine machining tasks. With standard square end mills, tool corners are prone to chipping, but the radius end mill reduces this risk while also smoothing corners and providing a polished finish. This unique design plays a critical role across various applications.
Furthermore, the radius end mill is widely used on materials like carbon steel, mold steel, alloy steel, tool steel, cast iron, stainless steel, heat-treated steel, and welded steel. Its versatile applications make the radius end mill a flexible and efficient cutting tool, enhancing production efficiency and achieving excellent performance on diverse materials. This tool can realize high-precision surface machining, reduce material stress concentrations during milling operations, and extend tool life, improving surface quality while enhancing the strength and smoothness of machined parts. Compared to flat-end mills, square end mills, or ball-end mills, the radius end mill distributes cutting loads more evenly and reduces tool wear, making it particularly suited for artistic carving, aerospace parts, automotive components, precision medical devices, and other industries requiring delicate surface machining.
➤ Reading about Radius End Mill:
◼ 0014｜Application and development of Radius End Mill