Taken literally, a lollipop cutter would be a tool used in candy manufacturing to create perfectly round circles of sweetness, but the term actually refers to spherical end mills that are used to make machining undercuts. Otherwise known as end mills, lollipop cutters are invaluable to access hard-to-reach places, and have the capacity to cut in all directions. They’re used in a variety of applications, including plunging, face milling, profile milling and tracer milling. Here’s a short overview of what they can do:

Plunging

Plunging is an operation in which the cutting is done by the end of tool, rather than on the periphery, which allows the machinist to quickly and easily change the direction of the cut. Another benefit of plunging is that it works better than side milling in situations where overall stability is an issue.  It’s a superior choice when working with hard to cut materials, such as titanium, and when making deep corners. However, because plunging has a lower metal removal rate than other methods, it’s not the first choice of most machinists outside of specialized procedures or situations mentioned above. It’s also used when there are limits on available power.

Face Milling

Lollipop tools are also used for face milling. Face milling is a common milling procedure in which material is removed for the purpose of creating a flat surface. Although other tools are routinely used for this operation, lollipop tools are best for when the situation calls for sharp corners, optimal stability, or the ability to cut through a hard material.

Profile Milling

Profile milling is a technique that is on vertical or slanted surfaces in order to rough or finish them. Lollipop tools are often used for these procedures due to their superior ability to create deep corners and to access hard to reach areas.

Tracer Milling

As its name implies, tracer milling is a procedure in which specific three dimensional objects are duplicated from a pattern. This often requires a precision tool capable of making sharp undercuts. As with the other uses, considerations include how hard the material is, and the overall stability of the work surface.

The lollipop cutter is an extremely versatile tool that can be successfully used in a large variety of ways. Most machinists find them even more valuable when they’re custom made to suit the individual needs of the type of object they produce.

The Benefits of Having Them Custom Made

Having a lollipop tool custom made means that you’ll experience exact precision in all of your undercutting and corner applications. At Custom Tool & Grinding, we’ve got more than 40 years of experience working with machinists to create tools for the specific needs of our clients. Please feel free to contact our office at your convenience to find out more about how are custom tool designers can benefit your machining business.

Custom Tool & Grinding has been delivering consistent quality and expertise to our customers for over 40 years. Our commitment to our customers fuels our investment in the equipment, techniques and systems that support our dedication to quality and our guarantee of. our work. Request a quote for our services, email us at info@customtool.com or call us at (724) 223-1555 for more information.