Multi-Flute Tools: When to Use Them and When to Avoid

So why would you use a multiple-flute tool? Well, the greater number of cutting edges on a cutting tool allows you to achieve greater feed rates. Feed rates then allow you to gain greater productivity.

So a multiple-flute tool allows you to achieve greater feed rates. You might be thinking, well, I’ll use a multiple-flute tool for every application. Unfortunately, as you add cutting edges or flutes to a cutting tool, the center of the tool, which is known as the core, gets larger. This gives you less flute depth or less space for creating chips during the machining process. So this obviously limits the engagement that you can gain with the tool as the number of flutes increases.

As much as that large core sounds like a disadvantage, it can also be an advantage in the right situation. So the heavier the core or the backbone of that tool is, the greater the rigidity that that tool has. So if you’re in a situation where you’re machining difficult-to-machine materials that resist the cut, that creates a situation known as deflection in the cutting process. The stronger that tool is, the more rigid that tool is, the more it will resist deflection. By resisting deflection, you can avoid some of the common pitfalls in machining, such as chatter or part inaccuracy.

The Multi-Carb is specifically designed with an odd number of flutes. The odd number of flutes on this cutting tool also allows us to avoid a natural rhythm or harmonics that can occur with an even number of flutes. So this too will allow us to avoid some of those chatter situations.

As we mentioned, the multiple-flute tool is not ideal for every situation. However, in the right application, it can certainly bring you great advantages. A multiple-flute tool is great for peripheral cuts, finishing cuts, and high-speed, high-efficiency machining strategies.

In this next demonstration, we’ll show you three different cutters in that exact scenario: one a five-flute tool, one a seven-flute tool, and the third a nine-flute tool, all three cutting Inconel, which is a very challenging and difficult material found commonly in the aerospace industry. You’ll see in this demonstration all three tools are high-performance tools, but their feed rates are dictated based off of their structure, or more specifically, the number of flutes available on those cutting tools. And you will see the multiple-flute tool moves at a much more aggressive feed or advancement through the workpiece than the other two cutters.

So as you can see, when applied appropriately in the right application, multiple flutes can bring tremendous productivity to that application. In addition to the productivity, it can also enhance surface finish and part accuracy due to the tremendous rigidity of that cutting tool. But again, I emphasize it has to be the right situation and the right application.

With options from two flutes through eleven flutes, that can get a little confusing. If you want any help or have any questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments section, or better yet, reach out to your local KYOCERA SGS representative or sales engineer. Also, like and subscribe so you can always catch our future videos. Until next time, I’m Jason with KYOCERA SGS, and keep those chips flying.