Milling cutter, particularly for copying, and cutting insert therefor

A cutting insert (8), optionally for a ball end milling cutter (1), comprising:

• a unitary, elongated plate-like base body (16) shaped to define two oppositely located tips (21, 22), and a theoretical connecting line (8') connecting said tips;
• an essentially planar base surface (28) and an oppositely located chip surface (34);
• lateral relief surfaces (31, 32) formed on sides of the plate-like body (16);
• first and second cutting edges (14, 15), located at the intersection of the lateral relief surfaces and the chip surface (34), and positioned, with respect to said theoretical line (8') at opposite sides thereof, said first and second cutting edges (14, 15) each having at least one curved portion (24, 26) and an adjoining elongated portion (23, 25);
• and wherein, the curved portion (24) of the first cutting edge (14) has a length which differs from the curved portion (26) of the second cutting edge (15);
• wherein said elongated portions (23, 25) of the cutting edges (14, 15) are at an acute angle (.alpha.) to each other different from null defined in a plane essentially parallel to said base surface (28), said acute angel (.alpha.) is in the range of between 5.degree. to 20.degree.;
• and
• wherein an interengaging projection-and-recess arrangement is provided on the base body (16) and on a plate seat (41, 42) on the milling cutter (1), the arrangement including a recess (51', 51", 52') in the base body (16) and a projection (51, 52) on the plate seat fitting into the recess in the base body (16).