The machining process
A common misconception is to always look first to square or rectangular billets for parts that will ultimately resemble that shape when finished. Sure, in most cases this will save a few minutes, but, because of all the movements that you can make accessing five sides, there are more options. Bar stock is less expensive, more readily available and easier to hold than more frequently used billets. And yes, while there will be slightly longer machining time, the material savings and ease of access will far outweigh the cost in the big picture. The right mill, with an HSK or BIG-PLUS interface, will allow very aggressive material removal. A shorter stickout helps too. Indexable mills are usually longer once assembled because a straight shank must go into another tool holder. Alternatives like our FULLCUT MILL are capable of high performance in ramping, helical-, shoulder- and plunge-milling operations. Sharing a similar compact design, the C-CUTTER MINI can quickly finish jobs—chamfer, back chamfer and even some light face milling. Often times with a standard solid carbide end mill, you’ll see a helix cutting tool used in the Z-direction to get down to a specific height, and then it’s moved in the X and Y to make a pocket. With FULLCUT MILL ramping, you’re able to move simultaneously in the X, Y and Z directions in order to ramp down and around the workpiece, rather than having a whole series of steps that are then followed by X and Y movements.
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