Milling is a method of cutting that involves the subtractive manufacture of flat and curved workpieces using a single- or multi-bladed cutting tool called a milling cutter. In the milling process, the primary (rotary) motion is provided by the milling cutter, and the feed motion is provided by the workpiece or milling cutter. In milling, the direction of the feed motion is perpendicular to the rotational axis of the milling cutter or at an acute angle to the rotational axis of the milling cutter.
Technologically, milling can be divided into:
- peripheral milling – the milling cutter’s axis of rotation is parallel to the work surface;
- face milling – the milling cutter’s axis of rotation is perpendicular to the work surface;
- angular milling – the milling cutter’s axis of rotation forms an acute angle with the work surface.
Kinematically, milling is divided into:
- conventional milling – the workpiece performs a feed motion in the direction opposite to the direction of movement of the milling cutter knives (in the extent of their contact with the workpiece);
- climb milling – the workpiece performs a feed motion in the direction of movement of the milling cutter knives (in the extent of their contact with the workpiece).
