The MH(350) 2 flute long neck ball nose end mill is designed for deep 3D contouring, recessed cavities and curved surfaces. Made from ultra-fine carbide with an AlCrN coating, it supports high-speed machining of stainless steel, titanium, copper and hardened steel up to 52 HRC.
The MH(350) 2 flute long neck ball nose end mill is designed for 3D machining where the cutting area is positioned deep below the workpiece surface.
Its ball nose profile is suited to curved surfaces and contoured geometry, while the long neck provides additional clearance and reach for recessed features. The tool combines 0.3–0.4μm ultra-fine carbide with an AlCrN PVD coating for demanding machining of stainless steel, titanium alloys and hardened steel up to 52 HRC.
It is suitable for high-speed and dry machining, with coolant-assisted cutting available when required.
Key Features
Deep 3D Contouring
The MH(350) is intended for three-dimensional surfaces rather than flat-bottom features.
Mold Cavities
The ball nose profile follows changing surface angles, while the long neck allows the cutting area to reach deeper sections of the cavity.
Recessed Contours
Useful when the geometry sits below a surrounding wall or shoulder and a standard-length cutter cannot maintain sufficient clearance.
Curved Transitions
The spherical cutting end is suited to continuous surface transitions and contoured profiles.
Finishing Passes
The configuration is especially relevant to finishing or semi-finishing of 3D surfaces where access is as important as the cutting profile.
Mitsubishi’s 2-flute long-neck ball nose range similarly combines long-neck geometry with ball-radius cutting for 3D machining and hardened-material applications.
Long Neck for Deep Access
For this tool, the long neck solves an access problem.
The cutting section can reach farther into a recessed feature while the larger tool body remains outside the immediate machining area.
Extended Reach
The effective length determines how deep the tool can reach.
Clearance Around the Feature
The reduced neck creates space between the tool body and surrounding walls.
Feature Access
This configuration is suited to deep cavities, recessed surfaces and narrow 3D features where standard ball nose tools may encounter interference.
Rigidity Still Matters
Longer reach increases sensitivity to deflection and vibration. The shortest practical effective length should be selected.
Commercial 2-flute long-neck ball nose products explicitly separate cutting diameter, effective cutting length, neck-related dimensions and overall length, underscoring their importance in tool selection.
Ball Nose Geometry for Complex Surfaces
The ball nose determines how the cutter interacts with the workpiece.
Curved Surface Compatibility
The rounded cutting end is suitable for convex and concave contours, blended transitions and sculpted surfaces.
Ball Radius Selection
A smaller radius can reproduce finer geometric details, while a larger radius can provide a broader contact area.
Surface Finish
For finishing operations, the resulting surface pattern depends on ball radius, stepover, feed and toolpath strategy.
Geometry and Application Must Match
The ball radius should be selected according to the smallest surface feature that needs to be reproduced, not simply the overall tool diameter.
Why Two Flutes?
The 2-flute configuration provides more open flute space around the cutting zone.
This can be useful for chip evacuation, particularly when the cutter is working in a recessed feature where chip removal becomes more difficult.
It also provides a practical geometry for controlled 3D cutting. Mitsubishi’s comparable long-neck ball nose range is specifically built around a 2-flute configuration.
MH(350) for Difficult Materials
The long-neck ball nose configuration is available for more than mold work.
| Workpiece Material | Application Focus |
| Stainless Steel | Recessed contouring and surface machining |
| Titanium Alloy | Difficult-material 3D machining |
| Copper | Curved and precision surface work |
| Hardened Steel ≤52 HRC | Mold and precision components |
| Other Difficult Materials | Application dependent |
The 0.3–0.4μm ultra-fine carbide substrate supports wear resistance and edge stability, while the AlCrN PVD coating provides thermal and anti-adhesion performance.
Actual results depend on material grade, hardness, tool diameter, ball radius, effective length, tool overhang, machine rigidity and cutting conditions.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
| Series | MH(350) |
| Tool Type | 2 Flute Long Neck Ball Nose End Mill |
| Flute Count | 2 |
| End Configuration | Ball Nose |
| Tool Design | Long Neck |
| Carbide Substrate | 0.3–0.4μm Ultra-Fine Grain Carbide |
| Coating | AlCrN PVD |
| Hardened Steel Capability | Up to 52 HRC |
| Cutting Modes | High-Speed / Dry / Coolant-Assisted |
| Recommended Materials | Hardened Steel, Stainless Steel, Titanium Alloy, Copper |
Key Dimensions
For a long-neck ball nose tool, the following dimensions should be reviewed together:
Mitsubishi’s comparable product range likewise lists ball radius, cutting length/effective length and overall length as core dimensional information.
Tool Selection
Determine the Cavity Depth
Measure the actual depth that the cutting edge needs to reach.
Choose the Ball Radius
Match the radius to the required surface geometry and contour detail.
Select Effective Length
Use the shortest effective length that can reach the feature.
Check Clearance
Make sure the neck clears surrounding walls throughout the toolpath.
Control Tool Extension
Longer unsupported length increases deflection and vibration, which can affect both tool life and surface quality.
Cutting Conditions
Long-neck ball nose milling requires cutting data matched to the actual tool geometry.
Recommended parameters can include:
A suitable starting point should consider:
Tool Diameter + Ball Radius + Effective Length + Material + Hardness
Customization
Custom long-neck ball nose configurations can be considered when standard dimensions do not match the required machining geometry.
Custom Options
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MH(350) 2 flute long neck ball nose end mill used for?
It is designed for deep 3D contours, recessed mold cavities and curved surfaces where additional tool reach is required.
What advantage does the long neck provide?
It provides additional clearance and reach, allowing the cutting section to access recessed features without unnecessary interference from the tool body.
How does ball radius affect machining?
The ball radius influences the smallest surface detail the tool can reproduce and also affects the resulting surface pattern during finishing.
Can the MH(350) machine hardened steel up to 52 HRC?
Yes. The MH(350) is suitable for hardened steel applications up to 52 HRC under appropriate machining conditions.
Can it be used for stainless steel and titanium?
Yes. Stainless steel and titanium alloys are within the stated application range.
