End Mills for Aluminum Avoid Chip Packing in Flutes

GWS Tool Group offers Alumigator, a line of end mills designed to cut aluminum with ease.

The line consists of three tools: the ART3 mill, the AFT3 finishing tool, and the AST3 slotting and roughing tool. Each tool features three flutes and a strong core and is available in diameters ranging from 3/16" to ¾" with radius sizes (customizable corner radius sizes are also available). 

Designed for slotting, pocketing and profile milling, the ART3 is designed to ramp into pockets at speed and features a 45-degree ramp angle to reach the bottom. Its geometry is engineered to produce a short, curled chip that is evacuated quickly to prevent double cutting chips and chip-packed flutes.

The AFT3 Alumigator finishing tool is designed to maintain quality surface finish even during aggressive machining. Well-suited for thin-walled and thin-bottomed parts, the tool features reinforced corners for increased tool life and reduced potential of part lift. It also offers the rigidity required for long-reach applications, the company says. It also performs well with conventional and high-speed tool paths, and it offers center cutting.

Like the AFT3 finisher, the AST3 Alumigator slotting and roughing tool features reinforced corners and is well-suited for thin-walled and thin-bottomed parts. Similarly to the ART3 mill, the slotting and roughing tool is also designed to produce short, curled chips. Staggered chipbreakers break up harmonics. The AST3 is also capable of center cutting.