CNC milling tools are a boon for CNC machinists. Various types of CNC milling tools allow for the customization of the final products. Choosing the right CNC milling tool is a necessary part of the manufacturing process. Machinists have plenty of tools to choose from, and every tool provides different results.
The article is intended for milling operators who can set up and run a milling machine. It will help the machinists to identify ideal milling tools available for CNC cutting and the CNC milling tool materials. And before, choosing the milling tool, it is important to know the materials used in the milling tools.
Common Materials Used In CNC Milling Tools
Each milling tool has one thing in common which is tool materials. Let’s take a brief look at the materials used for milling tools:
Carbon steel: Carbon steel is an inexpensive material and has 0.6-1.5% of carbon with silicon and manganese. The material is ideal for low-speed operations used in turning, milling cutters, twist drills and more.
High-speed steel: The material has the right proportion of chromium, tungsten and molybdenum that provides HSS with hardness, toughness and resistance better than carbon steel. HSS tools are more expensive than others. HSS tools do last for a longer time frame.
Ceramics: Ceramics are corrosion-resistant that are made via silicon nitride and aluminum oxide. The heat and wear resistance helps the material suitable for heat-cutting environments. The tools are ideally fit for hard steels, superalloys and more.
Solid carbide: The solid carbide is more resistant to wear than HSS. Solid carbide is used mainly in finishing applications with milling machines.
Ideal Milling Tools That Are Used By CNC Experts
The most commonly used milling tools are given below:
- Reamers
- Fly Cutter
- Twist Drills
- End Mills
- Thread Milling Cutters
- Tool Holders
#1. Reamers
Reamer is a rotating tool to enlarge the size of the existing hole. It provides accuracy and a smooth finish. CNC machines require a faster operation. And it has increased the demand for using reamers for CNC cutting. Reamers provide the consistency that is important for machine shops. The accurate holes designed with the reamers help to save time. The common reamers are below:
Single blade reamer: They are highly accurate and used for various special applications.
Multi-blade reamer: They have multiple cutting edges, and the design is like an HSS tool design.
#2. Fly Cutter
The reason why CNC machinists use a fly cutter is to get a smooth surface finish in no time. They are used on the milling machine to machine large areas and for flat surface areas. Fly cutters are popular in machining shops without the need for additional arbours. There are various types of fly cutters and including:
- Point cutter
- Rotary cutting tool
- Rotary carving tool
#3. Twist Drills
Twist drills get used to creating a hole in the machined part. The machinist must use one that is correct for the application. Frequently the twist drills are made up of high-speed steel. MDA supplies a wide range of twist drills according to the convenience and custom configurations of the customer. We provide a free quote and manufacture machined parts serving the need of the industries:
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- Medical
“Machined parts are not just designed for customer satisfaction, but they are designed to exceed itself”
#4. End Mills
An end mill is an ideal tool used by machinists around the world. End mills have cutting teeth at one end that helps to remove large quantities of material with ease. It mustn’t be confused with a drill bit. End mills come in many forms and get used for various milling operations. Here are some types of end mills:
Straight-flute end mills: End mills having straight flutes are single-ended. They help to provide a smooth surface finish. Straight flute end mills are ideal for milling plastics and various milling applications.
Ball-nose end mills: Ball-nose end mills have rounded tips and can be both single or double-ended. It is suitable for 3D contours and curves.
Up and down cut end mills: These are in a spiral shape. An up-cut end mill removes the materials in less time and is ideal for softer materials. Down-cut end mills help to create a smooth surface.
V-bit end mills: V-bit end mills are used by machinists for carving. It is best for sharp corners and edges.
#5. Thread Milling Cutters
Thread milling cutters help to cut threads by milling. The thread milling cutter makes it easier for the machinists to produce medium to large sizes. The main benefit of the thread milling cutter is that it can cut external threads. When a machinist needs to manufacture softer machined parts, a thread milling cutter is one of the milling tools for CNC cutting.
#6. Tool Holders
The tool holder as the name suggests helps to hold the end mill in one place. Different types of tool holders provide balance, the different tool holders have variations in their durability. The main thing to look at in a tool holder is the time it requires to change end mills.
Here are some CNC milling tool holders used by machinists according to their needs:
Collet chucks: Collet chucks have a lot to offer from a firm grip to alignment compatibility. The chuck design makes it easier to secure a hold on the tool. Collet chucks with a small diameter are apt for machining close quarters.
Tap holders: Tap holders are present in various types to meet the needs of machinists. Some rigid holders are great for horizontal machining centres. There are floating tap holders that help to reduce axial forces on the tap, increasing the lifespan.
End mill holders: These holders are easier on the tools and are a perfect fit for any machine shop. Using end mill holders helps to get less wear and tear.
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Choose The Right Tool For The Job
Every tool has different requirements and provides a different finish. There are a lot of factors to be considered by a machinist before selecting the milling tool like the material to be machined, the desired finish of the part surfaces and more. So, before choosing a CNC machining, it’s better to ensure that they have all the necessary tools available with them to machine your parts.
For more details, you can contact our experts that’ll help you choose the right milling tool according to your specifications.