Ceramic End Mills

PRECAUTION

Ceramic End Mills

Cutting Conditions

Requires High Cutting Speeds (from 1150 SFM to 3280 SFM)

High speed cutting is required to generate the heat needed to soften materials without causing abrasion or other damage.
Cutting speeds from 1150 SFM to 3280 SFM are recommended.

Recommendation for Air Blow

Do not use the coolant, it can cause thermal cracking.
Air blow is not used for the purpose of cooling and should not be directed at the tool. It should be used for good chip evacuation only.

Applications

Recommendations for Continuous Cuttting

Applications where continuous machining are common is highly recommended for ceramic end mills.
Chipping or damage can occur during severe interrupted machining.

Width of Cut is Recommended to Increase Gradually

Using maximum width and depth of cut from the start of machining may cause damage.
Increase the width of cut (ae) gradually to maintain tool life.

Method: Down Cut (Climb Milling)

Down cut / climb milling is highly recommended. Up cutting can be unstable.

Others

Tool Holder Recommendation - Hydraulic Chuck

First recommendation for tool holding is a hydraulic chuck, second recommendation is a precision milling chuck.
Collet chucks are not suitable.

Do not Remove The Built Up Edge

Do not remove any built up edge manually after machining as this may cause chipping.
The built up edge will be removed by the heat generated during the next cutting cycle.

Final Machining Allowance of More Than .012 inch

Leave a minimum of .012 inch finishing allowance. Machining with ceramic end mills at high temperatures can affect the outermost layer of the machined material, therefore a final machining allowance must remain.

Do not Use Open Type Machines

The chips generated during machining are at extremely high temperatures.
Ensure the inside of the machine is free from any combustible materials.