End Mills - Center-cutting vs. Non-center-cutting

Center - Cutting End Mills

Center - cutting end mills are designed to cut axially, which means they can plunge straight down into the material. This is a huge advantage when you're starting a new cut or need to make holes or pockets in the workpiece. They have cutting edges that extend to the center of the end mill, allowing them to remove material as they move vertically.

One of the common applications of center - cutting end mills is making a custom part with multiple pockets and holes. A center - cutting end mill can quickly plunge into the material to start the operation. They're also great for roughing out large areas because you can use them to quickly remove a significant amount of material in a short time.

Another benefit is their versatility. You can use center - cutting end mills for both roughing and finishing operations. Whether you're taking big bites out of a block of metal or doing a fine finish on a surface, a center - cutting end mill can handle it.

Non - Center - Cutting End Mills

On the other hand, non - center - cutting end mills can't cut axially. Their cutting edges don't reach the center of the tool, so they can't plunge straight down into the material. Instead, they're mainly used for side cutting.

Non - center - cutting end mills are ideal for operations where you're only cutting along the sides of the workpiece. For instance, if you're doing a simple slotting operation or creating a profile on the edge of a part, a non - center - cutting end mill will do the job efficiently. They can make very precise cuts because they're focused on side - cutting action.

One of the advantages of non - center - cutting end mills is that they can often provide a better surface finish on the sides of the cut. Since they're designed for side - cutting, they can remove material in a more controlled way, resulting in a smoother surface.