T-Slot End Mills: From "Mysterious Tools" to the Core of High-Efficiency Machining

Shanghai, January 9, 2025 – At the latest International Machine Tool Exhibition, T-slot end mills became the focus of attention. Compared to traditional 

end mills, they can mill a complete T-slot in a single feed, simultaneously forming the bottom and sidewalls, reducing cutting force by 20% and cycle 

time by 30%, earning them the reputation of "King of Slot Machining Efficiency" in the industry.

A live demonstration showed that a 36 mm diameter straight shank T-slot end mill achieved a cutting depth of 22 mm on 42CrMo forgings, with a 

surface roughness of only Ra 0.8 µm, eliminating the need for secondary grinding on the machining center. Its staggered helical tooth design, 

combined with internal cooling holes, allows for rapid chip removal, increasing tool life by 35%, and is suitable for slot widths ranging from 5 to 36 mm.

In terms of materials, spring steel and cemented carbide competed on the same stage: the former has high toughness and low cost, suitable for 

general-purpose steels; the latter has high hardness and strong wear resistance, capable of handling difficult-to-machine materials such as stainless 

steel and high-temperature alloys. The organizers stated that with the increasing demand for structural components in wind power and new energy 

vehicles, the annual market growth rate of T-slot milling cutters has exceeded 15%, becoming a new growth point for high-end CNC cutting tools.

Industry insiders pointed out that when selecting T-slot milling cutters, the specifications should be matched according to the slot width, depth, 

and machine tool rigidity. Using side-locking or hydraulic tool holders to prevent "tool extension" will fully leverage their high precision and efficiency 

advantages, helping companies achieve cost reduction and efficiency improvement.