1. Definition:

Milling cutters are tools used in machining operations to cut, shape, and remove material from a workpiece. These cutting tools have sharp teeth that rotate and progressively remove material, forming the desired shape or surface. Milling cutters are widely used in manufacturing processes such as automotive, aerospace, and general metalworking.

2. Types of Milling Cutters:

• End Mill: The most common milling cutter, it is used for creating slots, contours, and profiles in a workpiece. End mills can have cutting edges on the sides and the tip, allowing for versatile cutting operations.

• Face Mill: This cutter is used for large, flat surface finishing. It has multiple cutting inserts arranged around the perimeter of the cutter, allowing it to produce a smooth and flat surface quickly.

• Ball Nose Mill: This tool has a rounded cutting end, ideal for creating contoured surfaces, 3D shapes, and smooth finishes, especially in mold-making and die-casting applications.

• Slab Mill: Used for heavy-duty milling, this cutter removes large amounts of material and is used primarily for wide, flat surfaces.

• T-Slot Cutter: This tool is designed to cut T-shaped slots into a workpiece, often used in manufacturing machine table tracks.

• Hollow Mill: Used to cut cylindrical shapes, hollow mills remove material from the outside diameter of a workpiece, unlike traditional end mills which work inside.

• Side-and-Face Cutter: With cutting teeth on both the side and periphery, this cutter is used for cutting grooves and slots in metalworking.

• Form Mill: A special type of cutter that is used to create irregular profiles or complex shapes, often used in gear-making or specialized parts.