Climb Milling vs Conventional Milling — Choosing the Right CNC Technique
Choosing between climb milling (down milling) and conventional milling (up milling) can make or break your CNC machining results. Though they may sound similar, the direction of cutter rotation relative to workpiece feed drastically affects tool life, surface finish, and machine stability. What Is Up Milling & Down Milling? Conventional milling (also known as up milling ) occurs when the cutter rotates against the feed direction. The cut starts thin and thickens, which can cause rubbing at first, poor surface finish, and rapid tool wear. Climb milling ( down milling ) is when the cutter moves with the feed. The chip starts thick and diminishes, resulting in less friction, better chip evacuation, and smoother finishes. Performance: Why Direction Matters Tool Wear & Heat Climb milling reduces tool wear — chips begin thick and shear cleanly, with minimal recutting, leading to lower heat and up to 50% longer tool life. In con...