Milling machines are a common piece of equipment in machine shops. Some operate manually while others are CNC controlled. They vary widely in their capabilities. When it comes to 3D milling, however, the ability of the machine to accelerate and decelerate rapidly is very important.
The Process
3D milling has several names. Some professionals refer to it as automatic feed rate override or geometric intelligence. In machine shops, operators use this process to produce a 3D model from an existing design. Its intent, overall, is to improve a company’s milling capability. It provides high speed to the process of milling while retaining high-performance capabilities. In other words, 3D milling involves the use of milling tools to provide fast, precise and clear cutting.
Common Tools
Specific tools in this type of milling process have certain applications. However, among the many possibilities, the most common types of tools utilized are the following:
Square-End Tools
Square-End Tools with Corner Radii
Toroid Cutters
Ball Cutters
Of the above tools, one of the most popular is ball cutters. They offer versatility when high-speed machining is essential. They are excellent for roughing out a cavity and finishing off materials. One of its major attractions is its ability to allow higher cutting speeds than many other 3D tools. The overall result is a greater rate of metal removal than the rest of the tools noted above.
3D Milling
Machine shops that are interested in providing more than the basic services to their customers are investing in 3D milling. They understand the abilities to use such machines to increase the capabilities of their shops to produce not only basic drilling and milling but also to manifest quickly and efficiently 3D designs. By using such advanced technology, a machine shop can include the design and production of exact and demanding prototypes.
