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Mold Base & Mold Frame Milling

Mold-base and mold-frame side milling needs enough cutting length to machine the wall and enough clearance to reach it. MSU offers MPS4 four-flute flat-end tools for this work.

Choose around the workpiece material and hardness, wall height and stock allowance. Then compare the available cutting lengths with the mounted tool and holder.

Email the wall or pocket section and material details, or send an existing MPS4 code for a quote.

Find a Mold-Base Milling Tool

Match Wall Height, Material and Stock Allowance

Wall height describes the part; cutting length describes the tool. The required engagement and the clearance around the holder determine which length you can use.

Square and ball nose end mill profiles for mold machining
  • Material and hardness Use the actual grade and heat-treatment condition when choosing the tool and cutting conditions.
  • Wall and shoulder Check the vertical surface, floor corner and any step the tool must pass.
  • Stock allowance Separate the amount to remove from the material that must remain for a finishing pass.
  • Mounted access Check the entry opening, tool body and holder against the wall and fixture.

Related steel applications

For general steel work, compare Steel & Pre-Hardened Steel Milling. For higher-hardness parts, compare Hardened Steel Milling using the measured hardness and actual operation.

Compare MPS4 geometry with the flat wall and floor detail you need.

View MPS4 Tool Options

Compare MPS4 Cutting Lengths

These examples show how cutting length and overall length vary at the same diameter. All dimensions are in mm; cutting length is not the mounted projection.

MPS4-06

Diameter 6 · cutting length 18 · overall length 50 · shank 6.

MPS4-06A

Diameter 6 · cutting length 30 · overall length 75 · shank 6.

MPS4-06B

Diameter 6 · cutting length 35 · overall length 100 · shank 6.

MPS4-10

Diameter 10 · cutting length 35 · overall length 75 · shank 10.

MPS4-10B

Diameter 10 · cutting length 50 · overall length 100 · shank 10.

MPS4-10C

Diameter 10 · cutting length 65 · overall length 150 · shank 10.

MPS4 end mill drawing with cutting length and overall length callouts

Reach the wall with a supported tool

Select enough cutting length for the engaged wall, then keep projection as short as the feature and holder clearance allow. Speed, feed and engagement must be selected for the actual material, tool and setup.

Email the section drawing if the wall height or holder clearance limits your choice.

Discuss MPS4 Reach and Dimensions

Check Holder Clearance and Wall Requirements

The dimensions above identify the tool. The complete assembly must also clear the wall, pocket opening and fixture.

MSU facilities and inspection equipment
MSU facilities and inspection equipment

Check the complete path

Check holder clearance at the deepest cutting position and during entry and exit. Allow for fixtures and any internal step along the path.

Wall tolerance and finish

Identify the surface to be inspected and its required tolerance. Tool dimensions alone do not establish the finished wall result.

Tool drawing and inspection

Use Downloads for full model drawings. Specify the tool dimensions that need inspection; Factory and Quality Control provide equipment and measurement information.

Use the model drawing to check the full dimensions before ordering.

Find Tool Drawings

Order a Standard Tool or Discuss a Drawing

Choose a standard model when its profile and working dimensions fit the part. For an unavailable size or clearance, a drawing defines what needs to change.

MSU cutting tools

Standard sizes

Use the full MPS4 model and quantity for a repeat order. For a different wall height, compare cutting length and mounted clearance before changing the model.

A tool to your drawing

For a length or profile outside the available sizes, email the wall or pocket section for Custom Cutting Tools. Include the material, hardness and critical tolerances. See Ordering and Delivery for purchasing terms.

Email the drawing with the material and critical dimensions to discuss the tool you need.

Discuss a Custom Tool

Mold Base & Mold Frame Milling Questions

Is a 50 mm cutting length the same as 50 mm of reach?

No. Cutting length is the length of the cutting edges. Mounted reach depends on the clamped length, body geometry and holder clearance as well.

Can I choose the longest MPS4 to cover every wall height?

Choose the length needed for the feature and avoid unnecessary projection. A longer tool changes the setup; it does not automatically improve access or the machined result.

Does a flat-end tool always produce a perfectly sharp floor corner?

Check the corner treatment on the selected model drawing. The required floor-to-wall detail must match the tool geometry and toolpath.

Can the tool dimensions determine the cutting speed and feed?

No. Material grade, hardness, engagement and tool support also affect the starting conditions. The dimension examples identify sizes; they are not cutting-data recommendations.