Kunshan Meiyaxing Hardware Machinery Co., Ltd. is a service-oriented enterprise specializing in the sales and operation of CNC cutting tools. We provide tungsten carbide end mills, milling inserts, turning inserts, grooving and parting inserts, drilling and boring inserts, multi-functional inserts, threading inserts, and other indexable inserts, along with matching tool holders and cutter heads. We have established long-term and stable strategic partnerships with well-known professional manufacturers of high-efficiency tungsten carbide end mills. The company possesses advanced production equipment from Swiss Rollomatic, German Walter, and Japanese Makino Seiki, as well as German Zoller-Genius 3S and American PG... With 1000 and other testing equipment, relying on our service and operations, and guided by strong R&D and production, we solve various tooling problems for processing and manufacturing enterprises. We aim to become a professional partner providing comprehensive tooling solutions and cost optimization services, focusing on optimizing product processing costs to achieve mutual benefit and common development.
IV. Selection by Workpiece Material – Understanding ISO Grouping
ISO standards classify workpiece materials into six main groups (P, M, K, N, S, H) based on their machinability. Each group has unique characteristics in terms of machinability. The ISO grouping markings on the inserts are the most direct reference for selection.
· P Group – Steel: The largest material group in metal cutting, covering everything from non-alloy steel to cast steel. Steel generally has good machinability, but this varies significantly depending on carbon content and hardness. Carbide inserts are preferred for machining steel parts; YT-type inserts (such as YT15) are suitable for roughing, while cermet inserts are suitable for finishing.
· M Group – Stainless Steel: Stainless steel generates significant heat during cutting, easily leading to groove wear and built-up edge. High-cobalt-content carbide inserts (ISO M-class inserts) should be used, paired with a sharp cutting edge and a large rake angle (γ₀ = 10°~15°) to reduce cutting forces and suppress built-up edge. Tests show that M-class inserts have a life more than 35% longer than general-purpose P-class inserts.
K Group – Cast Iron: Cast iron is a short-chip material containing silicon carbide (SiC), which severely wears the cutting edge. High-wear-resistant carbide inserts (such as YG-class) should be used for machining cast iron; CBN or ceramic inserts can be used for high-speed finishing.
N Group – Non-ferrous Metals: Includes softer metals such as aluminum, copper, and brass. Aluminum alloys with a silicon content of 13% or higher are highly abrasive and PCD inserts are recommended. Inserts with sharp cutting edges typically achieve higher cutting speeds and longer tool life.
S Group – Heat-resistant Alloys (High-Temperature Alloys/Titanium Alloys) Group S materials are sticky, prone to built-up edge, work hardening, and heat generation, making them more difficult to machine than stainless steel and resulting in a shorter cutting edge life. Ceramic inserts or high-performance carbide tools are recommended for machining Group S materials.
Group H – Hardened Steel: Includes steels with a hardness of 45-65 HRC and chilled cast iron. These materials are difficult to machine, generating significant heat during cutting and severely wearing down the cutting edge. CBN tools or supercarbide tools are preferred for machining Group H materials.
V. Selection Based on Machining Task – Face Milling, Square Shoulder Milling, and Slot Milling
Depending on the machining task, the appropriate type of milling insert should be selected. The three most common milling types are face milling, square shoulder milling, and slot milling, each with different requirements for insert geometry and cutting edge performance.
· Face Milling: When machining flat surfaces, use face milling cutters. The recommended cutter diameter is 1.2 to 1.5 times the workpiece width. A 45° lead angle face milling cutter is a cost-effective choice; the insert can be indexed multiple times, and it is suitable for materials such as steel, cast iron, and stainless steel. The 45° lead angle cutter offers better depth of cut than a 90° cutter and also provides better vibration resistance.
Square Milling: When machining flat surfaces or steps with square shoulders, use a 90° lead angle square shoulder cutter. This type of cutter is versatile and particularly suitable for single-piece, small-batch machining. For shallow depth-of-cut applications, consider using inserts with a straight cutting edge design to achieve a more stable cutting thickness.
Slot Milling: When machining slots and cavities, select an end mill or slot milling insert with an appropriate diameter based on the slot width and machining depth. The ratio of slot width to cutter diameter should be controlled between 1.0 and 1.2. When the slot depth exceeds three times the cutter diameter, a layered milling strategy is required. Circular insert milling cutters offer high metal removal rates and good impact resistance in roughing and profile milling.
The difference between roughing and finishing: Roughing aims for high material removal rates, requiring inserts with a principal cutting edge angle of 75°~90° and a large tip radius (0.8~1.2 mm). Finishing demands high surface quality, requiring inserts with small feed rates, shallow depths of cut, sharp cutting edges, and finishing edges. A surface roughness of Ra below 0.8 μm can be achieved with relatively small feed rates.
In short, selecting general-purpose end mill inserts is a systematic project, requiring comprehensive consideration of the matching relationship between four key factors: workpiece material, machining method, insert material and coating, and geometric parameters. Only by organically integrating these four factors can a balance between high efficiency and low cost be achieved while ensuring machining quality.
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Contact us:Company name:Kunshan Meiyaxing Hardware Machinery Co., Ltd;Tel:8618962438699;Address: Room 3003, Building 3, Zhengtailong, No. 1288 Chengbei Middle Road, Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province, China;Email:myxcuttingtools@gmail.com;Website: https://www.myxcuttingtools.com
