Machining can take a lot of time, especially when you are operating at lower speeds and feeds. One way to speed up working time is to use variable flute end mills. These unique cutting tools look like your standard end mill, but with a few important distinctions when it comes to flute design. If you have had to lower your speeds and feeds to avoid chatter and you want to get back to milling quickly, variable helix end mills can help you speed up your operation without the risk experienced with traditional end mills.

A typical end mill is designed with symmetry in mind. When you look at the bottom of a four flute end mill, the flutes all meet at a perfect 90 degree angle. This means that the space between cuts is identical and, at a consistent speed, the period time between every cutting edge striking the workpiece is also identical. The consistent timing between cuts can produce a natural oscillation in the cutter itself. This will cause the tool to shake and, at high enough speeds, this can cause loud chatter.

Tool chatter is not only extremely loud, but it can also damage the cutter and your workpiece. In order to lower the natural oscillation of an end mill, variable flute end mills have flutes that do not meet with perfect symmetry. For example, a four flute variable end mill would not have flutes that met at perfect 90 degree angles. Instead it would have four different angles, which produce a unique effect.

Because the spacing and timing between each cut is not identical, the tool does not build to a natural oscillation. The inconsistent timing instead helps to break up the natural oscillation the previous cute was attempting to build. This leads to end mills that can operate at higher speeds and feeds than conventional cutting tools. Variable end mills operate quickly and quietly, making them a great choice for high material removal.

If you are looking for quality end mills, check out the operations at Online Carbide. They are an American manufacturer of end mills and drill bits ground from high quality carbide stock. Their variable end mills are precision engineered to offer top of the line performance. All of their variable end mills are also coated in a protective layer of titanium aluminium nitride. This TiAlN layer helps to protect the end mill from heat while also retaining the cutting edge of your tool’s flutes.

If you want to see all of the variable flute end mills that Online Carbide offers, visit their website at www.onlinecarbide.com. Instead of dealing with middlemen, Online Carbide sells directly to consumers for incredible savings. You can find all of the end mills and drill bits that your shop needs in their shop. If you have any questions about their tools, you can reach out to a member of their team by sending an email to [email protected].