Also called down milling: the tooth enters the material at maximum chip thickness and exits thin, which reduces rubbing, heat and work hardening and usually gives better finish and tool life. CNC machines with ball screws climb mill by default. On manual machines with worn lead screws and backlash, the cutter can pull the table into the cut and snatch, so conventional milling is safer there.
Climb milling the finish pass on the Bridgeport? Lock the gibs a bit first or it'll grab and gouge the wall.
On a manual mill with backlash, snug the table lock a little before climb milling so the cutter can't drag the table into the cut.
Also heard as
- climb cut
- down milling
Related terms
Chatter
Self-sustaining vibration between tool and work that screams, leaves a wavy pattern and kills tools.
Rubbing
A tool sliding over the work without taking a proper chip, usually because the feed is too light or the tool is dull.
Endmill
A rotating cutter with teeth on its end and sides, the main tool for milling slots, pockets and profiles.
Bridgeport
Shop name for any vertical turret knee mill, after the brand that made the design standard.