Since the days of the industrial revolution, there has been an increase in the mass production of equipment. Mass production means producing the same part thousands of times. Slowly, this process got done with the help of CNC milling machines. Now, for the CNC milling process, you require apt CNC milling tools. Having the right tools can make a difference during the milling process.
This guide is here to help you choose the right CNC milling tool, types of milling tools, and how to select milling tools.
What is CNC Milling?
CNC milling is a machining process. The whole process is based on using computerized controls. It involves the rotation of multi-point tools that eliminate unwanted materials from the workpiece. It leads to custom-designed products. The CNC milling process helps to machine various materials like glass, wood, metals, and plastics. It does so by drilling and turning to get the desired shape. The cutting tools’ edges make plenty of quick cuts helping to sculpt the raw material surface that gets removed as the process goes on.
Types of CNC Milling Tools
Different types of CNC milling tools allow getting the perfect customization of the final products. All these tools get used to cut the material into various shapes and sizes. Your final design will determine the tool you use for the machining process. It depends on the professionals to select the tools to balance the speed with the desired finish. Here are some tools available for CNC milling:
#1. Chamfer Mills
It is the most common tool used in the CNC machining industry. During the creation of a part, machining operations can leave a sharp edge on the workpiece. The role of the chamfer mill is to eliminate any sharp edges.
The final result will be a part that is strong and aesthetically pleasing to the end-user. Chamfer milling is ideal for these purposes:
- Chamfer mill for beveling
- Chamfer mill for deburring
- Chamfer mill for spotting and countersinking
#2. End Mills
End milling primarily differs from other milling methods due to the tooling used for wearing out the material. The sole reason they are different is they cut at a 90-degree angle. In simple terms, the mills that can cut axially are end mills.
The material used in the end mill also makes a difference in the tool you need to use for your final part. Some common materials used to create end mills are:
- Carbide
- Cobalt
- High-speed steel
In end mills, there are various ways of cutting into the material and how the machinist cut determines the tool used:
- Face milling: When the machinist cuts into one surface of the material, it is known as face milling. The surface is the face of the material.
- Slot milling: Slot milling creates slots through the material, cutting edges on two sides at once as the end mill will make a groove.
- Ramping: Ramping cuts directly down to the surface and at an angle that creates a slanted cut down via the material.
- Plunge: Plunging milling is an efficient process in removing a notable amount of material in less time.
#3. Ball End Mills
Ball end mills are ideal for drilling shallow holes. They have a constant radius at the end of the cutting tool. Ball end mills are used for various milling operations like slotting, contouring, pocketing, and profiling. Just because of their shape, they get suited to machining 3D part contours and more. We at MDA offer high-speed ball end mills capable of retaining hardness at high temperatures i.e. perfect for CNC milling tools.
#4. Drill Bits
Drill bits allow the machinists to cut holes in the material. Twist drill bits get used in general repairs. These bits help to create small holes. Similarly, like in end mills, drill bits are made from different materials that impact the strength. If the coating is on the exterior of the drill bits increases the longevity. Here are some common materials:
- High-Speed Steel
- Carbide
- Titanium Nitride Coating
- Titanium Aluminum Nitride Coating
#5. Fly Cutters
Fly cutters comprise one or two tool bits that are in the solid body. The tool bits present in the fly cutter help to create shallow, broad cuts, and the machinists get a smooth surface finish. The perfect examples are tabletops and counters.
The fly cutters get a lot of material off the surface quickly. The design of the fly cutters makes the engine of the CNC mill work harder. Some machinists refer to fly cutters as springboards.
| | Also Read: CNC Machining Tips: Why should you go for Flat Bottom Tools? |
How To Select CNC Milling Tools?
Selecting the right tools for CNC milling becomes necessary if you desire a quality finish. Using the wrong tools can ruin the finish of your final equipment. Therefore, you need to keep in mind several factors while selecting the ideal CNC milling tools below:
- Selection of milling tool body
The price of the milling tool is costly. A face milling tool body with a diameter of 10mm can cost around $600.
You have to choose according to your processing needs. You need to consider the number of teeth while considering the milling tool. The size of the tool pitch determines the number of cutter teeth used in the cutting during milling which affects the smoothness of the cutting. Every milling tool manufacturer has a series of dense tooth milling tools. So, choose the tool according to your equipment requirements.
- Selection of the milling tool blade
A grinding blade is ideal for fine milling. It has better dimensional accuracy making the positioning accuracy of the cutting edge in milling higher. In other processing operations, it is better to use a pressed blade or a ground blade.
During roughing, it is better to use a pressed blade that reduces the processing cost. Machinists can use a scraping blade to remove any rough machining marks to achieve better surface roughness than using a pressed blade.
Conclusion
Every milling tool has its own set of requirements and produces a unique result. Before selecting a milling tool, a machinist must consider several factors, including the material to be machined, the desired finish of the part surfaces, and more.
So, before hiring a CNC machining company, make sure they have all of the necessary tools on hand to machine your parts.
At Machining Design Associated Ltd, we are committed to providing the best possible custom machined product while providing the best possible customer service. Feel free to contact us with your CNC tool requirements. It is accomplished by:
- Creating a foundation of trust by being honest and providing excellent service.
- Performing a thorough inspection of products to ensure that they meet the customer’s requirements.
- Maintaining flexibility to respond quickly to the changing needs of our customers.
- Keeping our best practices to deliver the most precise and cost-effective product possible.