End-mill tool with high and low flutes and related method for rough cutting and finishing a workpiece

A rotary cutting tool, comprising:

• a cylindrical shank having an outer diameter, a proximal end and a distal end;
• a main body portion extending proximally from the distal end of the shank;
• at least one primary flute formed on the main body portion defining a low-angle cutting surface;
• at least one secondary flute formed on the main body portion defining a high-angle cutting surface;
• the primary and secondary flutes intersecting to form a compound cutting surface having a continuous cutting edge including a leading cutting edge formed along at least a portion of the low-angle cutting surface, and a trailing cutting edge formed along at least a portion of the high-angle a cutting surface;
• and
• wherein the leading cutting edge begins from a leading point and the trailing edge terminates in a trailing point, and one or both of the leading and trailing points are truncated or radiused to reduce scoring.

A rotary cutting tool, comprising:

• a cylindrical shank having an outer diameter, a proximal end and a distal end;
• a main body portion extending proximally from the distal end of the shank;
• at least one primary flute formed on the main body portion defining a low-angle cutting surface;
• at least one secondary flute formed on the main body portion defining a high-angle cutting surface;
• the primary and secondary flutes intersecting to form a compound cutting surface having a continuous cutting edge including a leading cutting edge formed along at least a portion of the low-angle cutting surface, and a trailing cutting edge formed along at least a portion of the high-angle cutting surface;
• and
• wherein the region of intersection between the primary and secondary flutes is truncated or radiused.

A rotary cutting tool, comprising:

• a cylindrical shank having an outer diameter, a proximal end and a distal end;
• a main body portion extending proximally from the distal end of the shank;
• at least one primary flute formed on the main body portion defining a low-angle cutting surface;
• at least one secondary flute formed on the main body portion defining a high-angle cutting surface;
• the primary and secondary flutes intersecting to form a compound cutting surface having a continuous cutting edge including a leading cutting edge formed along at least a portion of the low-angle cutting surface, and a trailing cutting edge formed along at least a portion of the high-angle cutting surface;
• and
• wherein a volume of material is removed distally with respect to one or more of the leading edges to reduce the clearance angle associated therewith and improve chip removal.