From the course: Introduction to Mill and Lathe Operation
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Multiple point methods
From the course: Introduction to Mill and Lathe Operation
Multiple point methods
- So what's a multi-point cutting tool? Multi-point cutting tools have more than two main cutting edges that simultaneously engage in cutting. That basically means as the cutter passes along your workpiece, two or more edges are cutting the part at the same time. The number of cutting edges present in these types of cutters can vary from two to several dozen to over 100 edges in some cases. Some examples of multi-point cutters include roaches, reamers, and hobbing bits. And here are some advantages of multi-point cutters. First, faster feed rates and deeper cuts. Since you have several edges cutting at once, you can speed things up a bit. Each cutting edge produces a chip, so the distribution of the cutting load is spread out. Second, since there is a distribution of the chip load amongst many edges at once, the forces acting upon each cutting edge are reduced significantly. And depending upon what you are doing and the tool used, you may eliminate some of the cutting forces…