Finishing Milling Cutter Handles Heat-Resistant Alloys

Mikron Tool has added the Ball Z4 finishing milling cutter with shank-integrated cooling to its CrazyMill Cool product line, designed for milling in small dimensions with high performance and quality. The four-tooth cutter is available in diameters ranging from 1 to 8 mm (0.039" to 0.315") and for milling depths of up to 5×D. The tool is suitable for machining all materials with hardness ranging to 54 HRC, but it was developed particularly for stainless steels, titanium, heat-resistant alloys based on nickel and chrome-cobalt alloys.

For machining stainless and heat-resistant steels, the Ball Z4 comes with between three and five coolant ducts integrated in the tool shank, delivering a constant coolant jet directly to the milling area independent of the work position and interfering edges.

Tool geometry is engineered for reaching high performance and surface quality. The shorter tools have a flute angle of 30 degrees (with cutting lengths of 2×D), while the longer versions (with cutting lengths of 3.5×D and 4.5×D) have a progressive flute angle increase from 30 to 40 degrees. Both versions create optimal cutting edge corner stability for smooth milling without vibration. With its four teeth, the new milling cutter is well-suited for pre-finishing and fine finishing.

Two versions of the CrazyMill Cool Ball Z4 are available with especially long cutting edges. These have progressive spiral flutes which provide vibration-free milling and thus improved surface quality. The 30-degree angle at the tip reduces the risk of cutting edge break-out. These versions are especially suitable for side milling.