CNC Machining: How to Choose the Right CNC Machining Tool?

We know that CNC machining from milling to turning is inseparable from CNC machining tools. Simply put, CNC machining cannot run without CNC machining tools. They can be used in various CNC machining operations to make work easier and automated.

Although CNC machining tools have different shapes, each CNC machining part maintains its function and purpose while being used. Among them, the most common are CNC machining tools. As a common automated machine, CNC milling machines can automatically switch tools during the CNC machining process, so they can be found in the milling machine processing workshop.

This article focuses on the types of milling cutters and the skills that need to be considered for the types of materials used. If you want to learn more about CNC milling machines, then you must read to the end.

What materials are used to manufacture CNC milling cutters?

Cemented carbide

Cemented carbide is a material with high hardness, strength, wear resistance and corrosion resistance, and is known as "industrial teeth".

Advantages: It can work at high temperature to maintain the original hardness.

Disadvantages: easy to crack and chip under high temperature, and the toughness of CNC machining is not enough.
Application: Generally they are used for high-quality surface treatment instead of cutting.

Carbon steel

Carbon steel is one of the earliest materials used in modern industry, and it is also the cheapest material for CNC machining of milling cutters.

Advantages: good numerical control processability and low price.

Disadvantages: Since the melting point of carbon steel is 200 degrees Celsius, it will quickly degrade and become less durable under high temperature operation.

Application: Due to its low melting point, it can only cut relatively soft materials such as plastic or foam. It can only be used for low-speed operations such as CNC turning.

High speed steel

High-speed steel has good process performance and good combination of strength and toughness, so it is a better and more durable material than carbon steel.

Advantages: high-speed CNC machining has good toughness, more durability, and high temperature resistance.
Disadvantages: the hardness will be lost at 600 degrees Celsius.

Application: Suitable for high-speed CNC machining and milling, and can withstand higher working temperatures.

Cutting ceramics

Cutting ceramics In terms of hardness, cutting ceramics is the strongest among all four materials.

Advantages: high hardness, can withstand high temperature operation.

Disadvantages: it will crack when encountering hard materials, and the service life is short.

Application: To cut tough and sturdy materials, such as super alloys and cast iron

Types of CNC milling cutters

Face Mills

It has a flat head with replaceable carbide cutting edges, which can be used for diversified CNC machining of milling cutters. Because these cutting edges are located on the periphery of the milling cutter, Face Mills can only perform horizontal cutting, not axial cutting. Because of their replaceable cutting blades, they have a longer life. Able to complete high-quality CNC machining work within a long period of time. All mechanical engineers use Face Mills to make flat parts on raw materials.

End Mills

The end mill is the most commonly used type of milling cutter for CNC machining. The cylindrical surface and end face of the end mill have cutters. They can be cut at the same time or separately. Due to the difference of CNC machining machines, some may have as many as eight or more edges. The types of blades include:

Bull nose: This variant has flat ends and rounded sides, making it ideal for roughing and rounding.

Plane: Plane end mills are universal variants compatible with cutting 2D features.

Ball head: Ball head end mills are suitable for tasks such as 3D contours and curves.

Keyway milling cutter: The keyway milling cutter has two teeth, the cylindrical surface and the end surface have cutting edges, and the end surface edge extending to the center is like an end mill or a drill. In CNC machining, the first axial feed reaches the groove depth, and then the full length of the key groove is milled along the key groove direction.

Roughing End Mills

Roughing End Mills are used for CNC roughing, which can remove large pieces of material on the workpiece in a short time. Due to its small size, the cut metal it produces is always easy to remove.

Drum milling cutter: Its cutting edge is distributed on the arc surface, and the end face has no cutting edge. During CNC machining, the upper and lower positions of the tool are controlled, and the cutting position of the cutting edge is changed accordingly, and different bevel angles from negative to positive can be cut on the CNC machined parts. The scope of drum-shaped CNC machining is very wide, but the surface quality obtained is worse. The disadvantages of this tool are difficult sharpening, poor cutting conditions, and not suitable for CNC machining of bottomed contour surfaces.

Forming milling cutters: Forming milling cutters are generally designed and manufactured specifically for specific workpieces or CNC machining content, such as angle faces, grooves, special-shaped holes or tables, etc.

Summarize      

Choosing the right tool for CNC machining and milling machine work is very important because it is an important factor in the success of CNC machining parts. So you need to understand the various factors of CNC milling cutters, so as to better CNC machining. We have a professional precision CNC machining team with 11 years of CNC machining experience. If you need CNC machining parts, please contact us.