High speed machining of moulds and dies for net shape manufacture

High speed machining (HSM) generally refers to end milling or ball nose end milling at high rotational speeds (10000–100000 rev./min). The paper initially reviews the development and application of HSM for the manufacture of hardened moulds and dies. Following on from this, experimental work is detailed relating to the use of indexable insert ball nose end mills to machine hardened (∼52 HRC) AISI H13 hot work tool steel. Tool wear, workpiece …