They use the end of the tool to cut instead of the periphery which beneficially changes the cutting forces from a predominantly radial to axial direction.
Plunge cut with ball end mill.
For most woods i usually set the plunge rate to 10 mmsec or less.
Starter pack end mills.
A ball end mill is constructed of a round cutting edge and used in the machining of dies and molds.
You can not plunge an end mill into material like you would a drill bit.
For hardwoods plywood and aluminium.
So what type of end mills do you require for general milling applications.
Plunge milling operations vary considerably from traditional milling.
Ball end mills also known as ball nose end mills are used for milling contoured surfaces slotting and pocketing.
High quality 2 flute slot drills up cut and down cut end mills.
Compression end mills combine the best of both worlds and produce a smooth surface on both ends of the workpiece when cutting.
This is due to cutting flutes that extend to and protrude from the end face and enable plunge cutting.
How to apply plunge milling operations cutting process.
Keep in mind that end mills are meant to cut from the side whereas drills are meant to cut vertically.
It can be compared to a boring operation with interrupted cuts.
Plunge rate this is the speed at which the bit enters the wood.
Additionally most mills are center cutting meaning they are able to cut both axially and laterally.