What is the difference between milling and end mill?

Milling and end milling are related concepts within the field of machining, particularly in the context of metalworking and manufacturing. Let's break down the differences between the two:

Milling:

Milling is a machining process that involves the use of a rotating cutting tool to remove material from a workpiece. The cutting tool, which is known as a milling cutter or mill, has multiple teeth (or flutes) that facilitate the cutting action. Milling can be performed using various types of machines, such as milling machines or machining centers.

The milling process can involve a variety of movements to achieve different results, such as:

Peripheral Milling: The cutting tool's edges remove material from the outer surface of the workpiece.

Face Milling: The cutting tool's flat surface (called the face) removes material from the face of the workpiece.

End Milling: This is a specific type of milling where the cutting tool, known as an end mill, is used to remove material from the side of the workpiece. End milling is often used to create features like slots, pockets, and contours.

End Mill:

An end mill is a type of milling cutter that is designed for end milling operations. It has cutting edges on the bottom and sides, which enables it to remove material from the workpiece's side surface. End mills come in various shapes, sizes, and configurations to suit different machining tasks.

The key features of an end mill include:

Cutting Edges: End mills have multiple cutting edges along their sides and bottom, allowing them to efficiently remove material from the workpiece.

Flutes: Flutes are the helical grooves or channels that run along the length of the end mill. They help in chip evacuation and improve cutting performance.

Shank: The shank is the part of the end mill that is held in the machine's spindle. It can come in different sizes and types to fit various machine tool holders.

Tip Geometry: The tip of the end mill can have various geometries, such as square, ball-nose, corner radius, and more. Each geometry is suited to specific machining tasks and surface finishes.

In summary, milling is a broader machining process that involves removing material using rotating cutting tools, while end milling is a specific technique within milling that utilizes end mills to remove material from the side of a workpiece. End mills are specialized cutting tools designed for this purpose, with various features to optimize their performance for different applications.