Pick Your Right Tool: Ideal Milling Tools To Use For CNC Cutting

by admin | Feb 25, 2021 | CNC Machine Tools, CNC Turning and Milling

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.

How Has CNC Turning and Milling Machining Changed The Manufacturing Industry?

by admin | Sep 11, 2020 | CNC Turning and Milling

Whether your manufacturing company has been present in the market for a while or you are starting today, learning about technologies is a must to enhance business operations. CNC machines are revolutionizing technology and becoming more mainstream in a variety of industries. It increases the speed at which companies can manufacture the objects & making processes more efficient. Manufacturing industries are relying on CNC milling and CNC turning to create high-quality customized parts.

In this guide, we will talk in complete detail about CNC turning and milling machining. And how they helped the manufacturing industry. So, without further ado, let’s begin.

CNC Milling Machining

CNC milling is a machining process that employs computerized controls & multi-point tools. It removes material from the piece & can produce custom-machined parts. The process is suitable for machining various materials like plastic, metals & wood. In addition to it, the process also follows the production stages, which all CNC machining processes do:

Designing parts in CAD
Translating the CAD files into code for machining
Setting up the machinery
Producing the parts

CNC Milling Machine Components

Let’s see the critical components that comprise a CNC milling machine.

Machine interface: The machine interface refers to the machine component used by the operator to load, initiate, and execute the CNC machine program.
Column: The column provides the support and structure of all machine components. This component includes an attached base & includes internal components that aid the milling process.
Knee: It’s an adjustable machine component that is attached to the column & provides support to the saddle. The piece is flexible along the Z-axis depending on the specifications of the milling operation.
Saddle: The machine component is at the top of the knee, supporting the worktable. The piece moves parallel to the axis of the spindle which helps the worktable to get adjusted.
Worktable: It’s present at the top of the saddle & the work holding device gets fastened. The component is adjustable in the horizontal, vertical, or both directions depending on the type of machine employed.
Spindle: The spindle gets supported by the column that holds and runs the machine tool. Within the column, an electric motor helps the rotation of the spindle.
Ram: The ram refers to the component of the machine. Located on top of and affixed to the column that supports the spindle in vertical milling machines. This component is adjustable during the milling operation to accommodate the different positions.
Machine Tool: It refers to the component held by the spindle that performs the material removal operation.

CNC milling machines are of two types:

There are two types of CNC milling machines available – Vertical and Horizontal, the main difference being their spindle placement.

Horizontal milling machine

Horizontal milling machines derive their names from the tool’s positioning-their axis is horizontal. Horizontal mills are also suitable for the finishing process.

The horizontal mill design is pretty simple. The cutting tool mounts onto the arbour. When a tooling change is necessary, the arbour bracket and the spacers get removed to replace the devices.

Advantages of horizontal milling:

Ability to create complex parts
Can produce parts with fewer operations
Better surface finish

Vertical milling machine

Again, the name is itself explanatory. The positioning of the tool axis is vertical and is perfect for end milling. The vertical mill components are like that of a horizontal one. The head of the machine is to the end of a ram. The spindle gets fastened to the top for cutting tools.

Advantages of vertical milling:

Cheaper than horizontal milling
The machines are smaller, requiring less workspace
Easier to use as a vertical mill provides better visibility

How CNC Milling Changed the Manufacturing Industry?

CNC milling machines can make any desired part and get used for the production of automotive, industrial, machinery & other electrical components. CNC milling machines are precise and can reproduce many pieces with the same measurements and thickness. CNC machines can handle large-scale production. They are also scalable for a business that is growing. Furthermore, the process of milling gets done on work-pieces from a variety of materials as well as plastics & metals.

CNC Turning Machining

CNC turning is a subtractive machining process where a cutting tool gets placed against the spinning piece to take the material off. CNC lathe can do it and cuts the material as well as wood, plastic, and metal. Turning is done manually in the traditional form of the lathe & is done by using an automated lathe. The most common type of automation is CNC.

CNC Turning Components

Let’s check out the components that comprise a CNC turning machine.

Headstock: The headstock houses both the central spindle and the mechanisms for speed- and gear-change. A Morse taper is present in the central spindle end.
Bed: The lathe bed gets connected to the headstock such that the carriage and tailstock move in parallel with spindle access.
Feedscrews and Leadscrews: The feedscrew is a long driveshaft that is present in the apron to a series of gears to drive the carriage along the Z-axis. The leadscrew has the same function but moves the carriage along the X-axis circularly to the feedscrew.
Carriage: The carriage holds the cutting tool and moves it to the workpiece longitudinally for turning operations. And perpendicularly for face operations.
Tailstock: The tailstock refers to the mount in the centre, which gets placed opposite the headstock. Unlike the headstock, the tailstock spindle which may include a taper for holding drill bits, centres, or other tooling, does not rotate.

How has CNC Turning Changed the Manufacturing Industry?

CNC turning gets used in most metal-cutting environments, whether the industry is automotive, aerospace, or agriculture. A component with a high degree of round parts. And the type of gear gets machined on a turning machine. CNC turning offers many opportunities for businesses as well as increased production speed, improved production efficiency and safer industrial operations.

Conclusion

Both CNC turning and milling have their advantages. The primary difference is that in a turning operation, your machined part rotates. CNC turning is useful for cylindrical workpieces, used to reduce the diameter of the workpiece.

Are you looking for precision machined parts? MDA is one of the largest CNC machine shops in Canada. We own capabilities to handle bulky parts and a range of other value-added services that makes us a single-source supplier for any project. Reach out today to discuss your requirements.

Things you should know about Custom CNC Milling

by admin | May 21, 2018 | CNC Machining, CNC Turning and Milling, Custom Machine Shop

CNC milling is one of the most popular CNC machining processes. Milling incorporates the technical aspects of both drilling and cutting processes; CNC milling uses a rotating cylindrical cutting tool just like in drilling. But, unlike the single axis motion of the latter, the cutter and workpiece in a milling machine can move along three, four and even five axes allowing it to produce shapes, holes and slots with tight tolerances. In addition, the workpiece is often moved across the milling tool in different directions, unlike the single axis motion of a drill.

However, multi-axis functionality isn’t the only unique thing about Custom CNC milling. In this article, we will be exploring some of the major/minor facets of the machining type including main components, CNC mill types, advantages with CNC milling and more.

CNC Milling Machine- Main Components

Let’s first familiarize ourselves with the critical components that comprise a CNC Milling machine.

1. Control panel: Control panel is the brain of a CNC milling machine. The machinist/controller feeds the G-code (required dimensions) using the keyboard which, in turn, instructs the axis motors to move the cutters and other components.

2. Table: The table is used to hold the workpiece stationary for the entirety of the milling process. The workpiece is fit to the metal/wooden/plastic table using T-slots and metal clamps.

3. Column: The columns run along the axis to give a backbone to the milling part.

4. Cutting tool: A cutting CNC machine tool is attached to the column. It moves across the axis to give the desired shape to the CNC machined parts.

5. Frame: As the name suggests, the frame gives sturdy support to the machine, providing them with maximum rigidity to withstand cutting forces. It is mainly built using cast iron.

6. Axes: The axes in a CNC milling machine allows cutting tool/workpiece to move around obtain the maximum possible precision.

7. Spindle: The spindle consists of a rotating assembly that holds the cutting tool and a motor that runs the entire workpiece.

8. Coolant supply tube: The coolant supply tubes are used to cool down the rapidly heating metal workpiece and to lubricate the cutting tool for smooth movement.

There are two types of CNC milling machines available with respect to its working- Vertical and Horizontal- with the major difference being in their spindle placement.

Vertical CNC Mills
Vertical CNC milling machines have a vertical spindle axis. In this machine type, the cutters are placed vertically in the spindle and are able to make drilling or plunge cuts. Popular examples of Vertical CNC mills include Bed mills and Turret mills.
Horizontal CNC Mills
In horizontal CNC milling machines, the cutters are placed horizontally on an arbor.

Here are a few features of a CNC Milling machine that makes it an ace in the CNC manufacturing industry.

1. Safety– Custom CNC Milling process is about 10x faster and safer than traditional milling machines’. With computer systems handling everything, there is minimal contact between the machines and the operators. The operator feeds in the codes and the machine is directed to produce custom machined parts with tight tolerances. The manual work is reduced by a multifold and the chances of human error is next to nothing.

2. Accuracy – CNC milling machines are notorious for producing guaranteed accuracy all thanks to its next-gen features and innovative working. Tight tolerances are no big deal with CNC milling machines.

3. Versatility – CNC milling machines are not limited to producing machined parts out of one material type. From metals to industrial plastics and alloys, almost every material type can be used with a CNC milling machine that too without compromising on the quality front.

4. Lower Overhead Costs – With a severely automated process in place with CNC milling machines, you save a huge chunk of machining and manufacturing costs which you can use in any other development facet.

Here at Machining Design Associated Ltd., we offer top of the line CNC milling services to businesses across all industry verticals. For more information, drop us an email at machiningdesign@mdaltd.ca or fill-up the form here.

Pick Your Right Tool: Ideal Milling Tools To Use For CNC Cutting

Common Materials Used In CNC Milling Tools