Kennametal Z-Axis Plunge Milling Cutter is the Smart Solution for your Milling Needs

[MahdiEynian]

Plunge milling seems to have a better control over the chip thickness. Is there any noticeable difference on the tool life in cutting hard alloys?

[KennametalSolutions]

@MahdiEynian In length to diameter 3-1 and longer, this is where end mills start to vibrate and you start to lose tool life. With z-axis cutters the cutting forces are directed straight up into the spindle of the machine. Tool life should increase at length to diameters greater than 3-1 with a plunge milling cutter . Hope this helps :-)

[R75Sidecar]

So, you still have to finish profile. How much time have you saved by ZRoughing instead of doing the whole job by conventional profiling and going round and round and stepping down each time?

[KennametalSolutions]

if the tool extnsn is more that 3 times the diam. of the cutter then this is the only way 2 machine. Machining w/ the Z plunge cutter puts the cutting forces back up the machine spindle, very little radial forces. Machining in the conventional way w/ an end mill, the longer the cutter standout will result in a smaller axial depth of cut that u can take, this will b reflected in the chatter/Vibration that will occur.

[KennametalSolutions]

W/ this application we saved amin. 50% of the cut time, using the Z plunge cutter strategy. Still remember the rules, see example;

Cutter diameter: 2.50"

Tool standout, from gauge line to insert is 9.0"

Therefore the ratio is (9.0"/ 2.50") = 3.6

The cutter used is more that the 3 x D, we use for reference, therefore machine with the Z plunge instead of an End mill.