How to Select the Right Metric Thread Milling Cutter (M Series) for Your Material
Minnexon is a professional manufacturer and wholesaler of solid carbide thread milling cutters.
We have focused on this field for many years and have many distributors around the world.
Our products cover all major thread standards including Metric (M Series), ACME, and UN.
This page introduces Metric Thread Milling Cutters (M Series) and provides tool selection advice.
What is Metric Thread Milling
Metric thread milling is a process that uses a rotating cutter to produce metric screw threads. It is used for both internal and external threads. Thread milling is more flexible than tapping because it can make threads with different diameters and pitches using the same tool type. It also reduces cutting forces and improves surface finish.
Advantages of Metric Thread Milling
- High precision and good surface quality
- Can cut both right-hand and left-hand threads
- Safer than tapping in blind holes
- Suitable for hard materials
- Easy to control thread depth and pitch
Minnexon Metric Thread Milling Cutters
Minnexon provides solid carbide Metric thread mills with sharp cutting edges and stable performance.
They are made from fine-grain carbide and coated for high wear resistance.
Our cutters are designed for CNC machining centers and multi-axis machines.
We supply three main types of Metric thread mills:
1. Single-form Thread Milling Cutters
- Single-form cutters have one thread profile.
- They are ideal for precision machining and small batch production.
- Each pass creates one thread profile.
- They allow perfect control over pitch and depth.
2. Triple-form Thread Milling Cutters
- Triple-form cutters have three thread profiles.
- They are faster and suitable for medium production volumes.
- They balance accuracy and efficiency.
- These cutters are used when both speed and quality are important.
3. Multi-form Thread Milling Cutters
- Multi-form cutters create multiple threads in one pass.
- They offer the highest efficiency and are used in mass production.
- They save machining time and ensure consistent results.
Tool Selection Guide
Choosing the right cutter depends on your material and production volume.
| Selection Factor | Recommended Option | Technical Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hole Type | Through hole → Multi-form or Triple-form | Multi-form and triple-form cutters work best in open holes with good chip flow. Single-form cutters are safer for deep or closed holes. |
| Blind hole → Single-form | ||
| Thread Depth / Length | Shallow threads → Multi-form | The deeper the thread, the smaller the number of thread profiles on the cutter should be, to control cutting force and chip evacuation. |
| Medium depth → Triple-form | ||
| Deep threads → Single-form | ||
| Production Volume | Small batch / Prototype → Single-form | Single-form cutters are flexible. Multi-form cutters are efficient for large-scale production. |
| Medium batch → Triple-form | ||
| Mass production → Multi-form | ||
| Material Type | Stainless steel → TiAlN / AlCrN coating | Material determines coating type, not the form type. Choose coating to reduce heat and wear. |
| Titanium → TiAlN / AlCrN coating | ||
| Carbon / Alloy steel → TiN / TiCN / TiAlN | ||
| Aluminum / Non-ferrous → DLC or uncoated | ||
| Machine Rigidity | Low rigidity → Single-form | Less rigid machines need lighter cutting loads. Single-form tools generate lower cutting pressure. |
| High rigidity → Triple-form or Multi-form | ||
| Cooling / Lubrication | Stainless or titanium → Flood coolant | Proper cooling helps maintain surface quality and extend tool life. |
| Aluminum / non-ferrous → Air blast or mist |
Application Example 1:
- Deep blind hole in titanium (M10 × 1.5)→ Single-form, TiAlN coating
Application Example 2:
- High-volume M6 through hole in aluminum→ Multi-form, DLC or uncoated
Always use rigid setups, correct speeds and feeds, and good coolant supply.
This helps achieve a clean thread profile and extends tool life.
Applications
Minnexon Metric thread milling cutters are used in:
- Aerospace components
- Automotive parts
- Precision molds
- Industrial machinery
They can machine M0.6 to M30 and larger threads depending on the model.
Why Choose Minnexon
- Specialized in solid carbide thread milling cutters for many years
- Wide range covering Metric, ACME, UN, BSP and custom thread standards
- Reliable quality and consistent supply
- Professional support and fast delivery through our global distributors
Contact Minnexon
If you need Metric thread milling cutters, M series thread mills, or professional tool selection advice, please contact Minnexon.
We will help you find the best tool for your machining project.