What type of cutting tool is a milling cutter?

A milling cutter is categorized as a multi-point cutting tool. This classification indicates that the tool has multiple cutting edges that can simultaneously engage the workpiece during the milling process. Each of these edges contributes to the material removal, allowing for efficient and rapid cutting operations.

The nature of milling processes often involves the cutter rotating around an axis while advancing across the material, which is made possible by the multiple cutting surfaces. This design allows for higher rates of material removal compared to single-point cutting tools, which possess only one cutting edge and require a different operational approach.

In contrast, single-point cutting tools are typically employed in turning operations and are designed to cut along a single edge. Flexible cutting tools can adapt their shape but are not a standard classification for milling tools. Finally, fixed cutting tools do not move and are generally associated with stationary applications rather than the dynamic nature of milling. Thus, the classification of a milling cutter as a multi-point cutting tool accurately reflects its operational characteristics and advantages in machining processes.