Groove-cutting machines
Groove-cutting machines
EXPERT KNOWLEDGE GROOVE-CUTTING MACHINES
Probably no other type of cutter is offered in as many variants as groove-cutting machines. As carbide-tipped cutters or as solid carbide cutters (complete cutter made from a single piece of carbide), groove-cutting machines can be categorised into the following groups:
Groove-cutting machines with soldered carbide cutting edges
These milling cutters have one or more carbide cutting edges on the flanks. They are used on the edge of the workpiece to cut grooves. Unless otherwise specified, these cutters are not suitable for drilling, as they lack a "point" or cutting edge. If groove-cutting machines are to be used to plunge into a material surface, groove-cutters with a drilling edge must be used. Depending on the cutting diameter, very small filigree milling cutters are often made of solid carbide or with a soldered-on milling head. Soldered carbide cutting edges are often only used from 4-5 mm diameter. The number of cutting edges is indicated as "Z". Z2 means two main cutting edges, Z2+1 means two main cutting edges + one drill cutting edge or basic cutting edge.
Groove-cutting machines with soldered carbide cutting edges plus drilling or base cutting edge
With groove-cutting machines, it is important to check whether they can also be used for drilling (i.e. plunging into the material) or whether they are only suitable for grooving (positioning the cutter on the edge of the workpiece). The drill cutting edge, also known as the basic cutting edge, is an additional carbide plate that is soldered to the tip of the milling cutter. When sharpened, it also enables hardwood to be drilled without burning wood fibres when plunging. When naming the milling cutter, make sure that the number of cutting edges is indicated with "+1" (stands for one additional cutting edge), Z2+1 means two main cutting edges + one drilling edge.
Groove-cutting machines made from solid carbide with straight cutting edges
Milling cutters with a small diameter are milled from a single piece of carbide for design reasons or for economic reasons. They are usually small diameters < 4 mm, which are manufactured in solid carbide. With some Manufacturers, only the milling head is made of solid carbide and the Shaft is made of tool steel.
Groove-cutting machines with spiral groove (spiral groove cutter) made of solid carbide
Spiral flute milling cutters are milled from a single piece of carbide and have one or more spirally ground cutting edges that produce a pulling cut when removing material. This produces very fine cutting edges and a high surface quality. The spiral cutting edge optimises and guides the chip ejection. Depending on the direction of the spiral, the chips are transported upwards, downwards or up and down. This is not only crucial for efficient extraction, but also to achieve tear-free workpiece surfaces, especially with coated materials. A distinction must be made between finishing cutters and roughing cutters (for pre-milling for coarse material removal).
Groove-cutting machines with reversible blade
Replaceable and usually also reversible carbide blades. Blunt cutting edges are simply replaced. Dimensional differences that occur when resharpening milling cutters can thus be avoided. This type of milling cutter is also commercially available with or without a drill cutting edge.
Common abbreviations for the milling cutter designation on the Shaft:
D = Cutter Diameter (mm)
S = Shaft diameter (mm)
GL = Total length (mm)
NL = Effective length (cutting edge length in mm)
SL = Shank length (mm)
HM / HW = Carbide
VHM = Solid carbide
n max. = Max. permissible speed
MAN = suitable for manual feed
e0.1 = concentricity tolerance in mm
