Abstract: An orbital drill includes a drilling portion, a shank portion, and a neck portion between the drilling portion and the shank portion. The drilling portion includes one or more right-handed spiral flutes with cutting edges having a positive axial rake angle for positive cutting action while orbiting into a material. The right-handed spiral flutes have a positive radial and axial rake angle. The drilling portion also includes one or more left-handed spiral flutes located rearward of the one or more right-handed spiral flutes with cutting edges having a positive axial and radial rake angle for positive cutting action while orbiting back out of the material and removing any material left in the hole, thereby eliminating a separate reaming operation. A method of machining a workpiece using the orbital drill is also disclosed.

Abstract: An orbital drill includes a drilling portion, a shank portion, and a neck portion between the drilling portion and the shank portion. The drilling portion includes one or more right-handed spiral flutes with cutting edges having a positive axial rake angle for positive cutting action while orbiting into a material. The right-handed spiral flutes have a positive radial and axial rake angle. The drilling portion also includes one or more left-handed spiral flutes located rearward of the one or more right-handed spiral flutes with cutting edges having a positive axial and radial rake angle for positive cutting action while orbiting back out of the material and removing any material left in the hole, thereby eliminating a separate reaming operation. A method of machining a workpiece using the orbital drill is also disclosed.

Abstract: End mills are disclosed which may be made monolithically of ceramic or other materials. The cutting portions of the end mills have lengths of cut that are no more than twice their cutting diameters and cores which are at least 0.7 times their cutting diameters. Their axial blades have cutting edges with negative radial rake and are separated by helical flutes. Their cutting ends have negative axial rake and are gashed ahead of center and have radial cutting edges with negative rake. Such end mills also have radiused corners and gashes transitioning from radial to axial at a flute. Methods of milling materials using such ceramic end mills are also disclosed.

Abstract: End mills are disclosed which may be made monolithically of ceramic or other materials. The cutting portions of the end mills have lengths of cut that are no more than twice their cutting diameters and cores which are at least 0.7 times their cutting diameters. Their axial blades have cutting edges with negative radial rake and are separated by helical flutes. Their cutting ends have negative axial rake and are gashed ahead of center and have radial cutting edges with negative rake. Such end mills also have radiused corners and gashes transitioning from radial to axial at a flute. Methods of milling materials using such ceramic end mills are also disclosed.