End Mill Comparisons in CFRP, Part 2 - Diamond-Coated Tool

Smith MegaDiamond Inc. and Star Cutter Company compared the performance of various end mills in carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). The tools tested included a coated carbide end mill, a diamond-coated end mill, a conventional PCD end mill with straight flutes, and a “veined” PCD end mll featuring a vein of PCD within a helical slot in a carbide tool body.

The table below summarizes the test parameters. Shown here is the video of a 10-degree helical diamond-coated tool. Jeff Michael, engineering manager for Star Cutter, comments, “Again, the sound is pretty good with this cutter, but uncut fibers appear immediately. This is because a tool’s coating tends to give it a more rounded cutting edge, making it more difficulty to cut the fibers cleanly off.”

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To see the next video in this testing, click here.

Cutting speeds and feed rates were recommended parameters from each tool’s manufacturer.

Editor’s note: To read the next part in the series, click here.