A cutter end mill, commonly referred to as a milling cutter or end mill, is a rotary cutting tool used in milling applications to remove material and shape a workpiece. What makes it different from a standard drill bit is its ability to cut not only downwards (axially) but also sideways (radially). This dual cutting action allows end mills to perform a wide variety of machining tasks including slotting, profile milling, contouring, counterboring, and plunging.
End mills are essential tools in CNC machining and manual milling operations across aerospace, automotive, mould-making, and general manufacturing.
End mills perform cutting operations through a combination of rotation and movement across the workpiece. Here’s how the process works:
- Unlike drill bits, which only cut straight down into a material, end mills rotate to cut in both axial and radial directions
- This allows them to machine surfaces from the top and sides
- As the tool spins, the cutting edges on the flutes remove chips of material
- The workpiece is advanced against the rotating cutter, gradually shaping it into the desired form
Found on both the end and sides of the tool, allowing it to plunge into material and mill along surfaces for versatile machining.
Spiral grooves that control chip evacuation, tool strength, and finish quality.
Fewer flutes (2) suit softer materials like aluminium for better chip clearance, while 3 or more flutes provide finer finishes and greater strength for harder materials such as carbon steel.
Shorter flute designs enhance rigidity and chip evacuation in demanding applications, improving overall cutting performance and tool stability.
End mills are among the most versatile cutting tools in modern machining. They are used for:
Selecting the correct cutter end mill depends on factors such as the material being machined, desired surface finish, cutting depth and direction, and whether the operation is performed on a manual or CNC machine.
End mills are available in a range of geometries, flute counts, coatings, and materials to suit applications from high-speed machining of composites to precision finishing of hardened steels. Options include solid carbide endmills, high-speed steel (HSS), and specialty roughing endmills for aggressive material removal.
It’s also important to consider center-cutting vs non-centercutting designs. Center-cutting end mills feature cutting edges on the tip, allowing them to plunge directly into the material for slotting and drilling-style operations. Non-centercutting end mills, however, are designed for side-cutting, profiling, and contouring tasks where plunging is not required.
At Exactaform, we manufacture high-performance cutter end mills tailored for precision machining environments. Whether you’re slotting carbon steel, contouring aerospace alloys, or profiling complex surfaces, our tools deliver wear resistance, performance, and reliability.
We offer:
If you’re looking for the right cutter end mill for your operation, our technical team can help you specify the perfect tool for your machine, material, and application.
Contact us for custom tooling, product support, or technical advice.