Since milling cutters can almost replace most traditional cutting tools in the current cutting process, no matter in the design and manufacture of milling cutter materials, shapes, structures, etc., it is not only extremely diverse and complex. So what's the difference between a flat end mill and a keyway mill?
one. different shape
Although flat end mills and keyway mills look similar in appearance, they are actually different.
Flat end milling cutter: The outer diameter is relatively loose, and the teeth are helical.
Keyway milling cutter: The keyway milling cutter has a small helix angle, groove depth, and an approximate straight line folding back, which is somewhat similar to a twist drill. Generally, there are only two cutter teeth, and the cutting edge of the end face cutter teeth extends to the center, which is like a flat end milling cutter and a drill bit.
two. different performance
The main difference between flat end mills and keyway mills is their performance:
1. The number of teeth is different
The different number of teeth on the cutter will determine the type of machining the tool is used for.
Flat end milling cutter: The flat end milling cutter not only has single teeth, but also two teeth, four teeth, etc. The side edge cutting is smooth and the efficiency is high, and the outer diameter of the flat end milling cutter is relatively loose, which is usually used for machining surfaces.
Keyway milling cutter: In order to reduce the influence of radial cutting force, the cutter teeth are designed as two mutually symmetrical cutter teeth, so that the radial force of the two cutter teeth cancels each other during operation, so it can be machined at one time and the cutter Keyway of the same width as the swivel diameter. Keyway milling cutters have a larger cutting volume than flat end milling cutters.
2. With or without center hole
The center of the milling cutter will determine whether the milling cutter can feed directly down.
Flat end milling cutter: The end face of the flat end milling cutter has a center hole, and it cannot be fed directly downward. If the feed is too deep, the central hole will withstand and the milling cutter cannot continue to feed, so it is not suitable for cutting keyways.
Keyway milling cutter: The end face of the keyway milling cutter does not have a center hole, and it can feed directly downwards, which is equivalent to a drill bit and can drill flat-bottomed holes, which are usually mainly processed in grooves and keyways.
3. The number of margins is different
The number of lands has an impact on the surface finish, straightness, roundness, etc. of the machined hole.
Flat-end milling cutter: There are multiple margins, the larger the diameter, the more the margins, so the work efficiency of the flat-end milling cutter can be improved.
Keyway milling cutter: Generally there are only two margins, mainly for axial feed, like a drill.
4. Different outer diameters
The difference in the outer diameter will directly affect the quality of the keyway and the key, so the tolerance will be stricter.
Flat end milling cutter: The outer diameter is relatively loose, so the chip removal is also better, and it is more suitable for machining surfaces.
Keyway milling cutter: The outer diameter is relatively precise, because the size requirements of the keyway are relatively high after machining, so that the key will not be loose after it is fitted.
three. different uses
Flat End Mills: Mainly used for face milling, groove milling, step face milling and milling.
Keyway milling cutter: mainly used for machining keyway. For example, a 6mm flat end mill and a 6mm slot mill are used to mill grooves. The 6mm flat end mill will be more prone to breakage, while the 6mm keyway cutter can easily pass.
