Helical Solutions 49316 Ball End Mill 1/2in 3 Flute Carbide

Product Description

The HELICAL SOLUTIONS 49316 is a 3-flute solid carbide ball end mill designed for milling aluminum alloys and non-ferrous materials in both roughing and finishing operations. It features a 1/2 inch mill diameter, a 2 inch length of cut, and a 4 inch overall length with a 1/2 inch straight cylindrical shank. The 40-degree high-helix geometry promotes efficient chip evacuation, which is critical when cutting soft, gummy non-ferrous metals. A Zplus PVD coating provides surface hardness and lubricity to extend tool life in these applications. The 0.25 inch nose radius enables true ball-end profiling for contoured and 3D surface work. This tool is sold as a single-end mill, intended for use in CNC machining centers and milling machines operated by machinists and tool-and-die professionals.

This end mill is suited for operations on aluminum alloys and non-ferrous metals in both production and job-shop environments. Typical applications include 3D contouring, cavity milling, and finish passes on complex surfaces where ball-end geometry is required. The variable pitch flute spacing helps reduce harmonic vibration during aggressive material removal, making it appropriate for both roughing and finishing cuts in a single tool. It is a standard-length tool with a reach length of 2 inches, appropriate for moderate-depth features without extended-reach tooling.

Key Features

• 3-flute solid carbide construction for strength and rigidity in non-ferrous milling
• 40-degree high-helix angle for aggressive chip evacuation in aluminum and soft metals
• Zplus PVD coating for improved surface lubricity and tool life
• 0.25 inch ball nose radius for accurate 3D contouring and profiling
• Variable pitch flute indexing to reduce chatter and harmonic vibration
• Right-hand cut, right-hand spiral with h6 shank and diameter tolerances for precise tool holding

Compatibility

Designed for use on aluminum alloys and non-ferrous materials. Compatible with standard CNC milling tool holders accepting a 1/2 inch straight cylindrical shank. Suited for roughing and finishing operations per the HELICAL SOLUTIONS 3 Flute, Ball - 40 Helix, Variable Pitch, End Mills for Aluminum Alloys and Non-Ferrous Materials series.

Installation Notes

Install in a clean, properly sized collet or end mill holder to maintain runout within the specified TIR maximum of 0.0003 inches. Verify holder clamping torque meets the machine tool manufacturer's specification before running. Inspect the shank and collet bore for chips or debris prior to installation, as contamination degrades runout and tool life. Set speeds and feeds per the tool manufacturer's recommendations for the specific workpiece alloy and depth of cut.