The way you want a machine to function is cut and dried. The biggest challenge for experts in manufacturing CNC equipment is how to pick the best tools to ensure the job gets done properly. Of course, choosing the proper CNC machine cutting tool doesn't solely concern the performance of the tool. Cost is a major factor, and we'll explore the issue in this article as well. Here's what engineers should be thinking about when choosing CNC machine tools.

Workpiece Material as well as Functions

The selection of tools depends on the material of the workpiece. Stecker Machine primarily machines aluminum, ductile iron, and gray iron castings. We have favorite CNC machining metal cutting tools for each of the materials. Engineers prefer using the established standardized tooling first which helps reduce risks, inventory, and cost.

The tools like drills mills and taps are essential to make different parts and features, and there's a standard tooling for every type of tool and material. For example, Stecker has three different standard 90deg square shoulder mills, each one specifically to machine the ductile iron, aluminum, gray iron, and ductile iron. Of all the materials, it is aluminum that has the highest machinability, therefore, the aluminum tooling has greater surface feet per second (SFM) specification, meaning that they can run faster.

Production Amount

In general, special, high-end cutting tools are selected for high-volume projects, while smaller-scale jobs require basic tools. It comes down to economy of scale and the budget of feature-specific, high-end tools justified by the high quantity of parts to be created by that tool.

Combo Opportunities

Multi-feature tools can be massive cost- and labor-savers in custom fabrication. If more than three tasks or four or more -can be accomplished using the same tool, it speeds up the speed of the cycle while decreasing the time required to change out the tooling.

If created properly, an insertable tool will cut and drill up to 3 different methods, getting the job done in one pass with one tool, instead of using six instruments (and 6 passes). Sure, that customized, multi-featured tool could cost upwards of $3,000, but the savings add up quickly to offset the costs, especially for the scale of a project with high volumes.

Machine Limit

The majority of cutting tools are utilized in all cnc milling. But that doesn't necessarily mean that the machines are the most efficient however. Engineers and operators are aware that a greater horsepower machine (with more taper) offers the possibility of using multi-tools that can fulfill many functions.

Whereas large castings require hoists in order to transport the castings, smaller castings do not have that challenge. In fact, there might be opportunities to boost efficiency through the design of a fixture that can run two or three small components simultaneously on larger machines. This is an example of how large machine = huge casting may not be the best option.

Tool Material

The same cutting instrument can be constructed using a variety of materials, and some are more durable (and expensive) than others.

Solid carbide is a substance that creates a reliable cutting tool. Yet, a PCD-tipped tool achieves a higher level of durability. PCD, which is also called polycrystalline diamond, is produced by sintering diamond particles with an aluminum binder to make the strongest cutting tool ever invented.

Although the tool's life span for a drill tip that is PCD-tipped is 4x that of an actual carbide tool (2,500 pieces against 10,000) however, it also has the ability to run 25% faster. This increase in productivity (faster spindle speed, extra feed rate, and reductions in setup, labor etc.) offsets the asking price difference between the two (around $180 for carbide versus 960 dollars for PCD).

Toolmaker Selection

Like any other vendor partnership, a toolmaker and fabrication shop are most effective in a relationship where they are familiar with one other. Similar to any partnership, it's only possible to be developed when a shop invests in the strategic development of vendor relationships.

Typically, a large computer numerical control machine shop has partnerships with upwards of 7 to 8 tool makers each one with a specialty that fulfills specific challenges such as solid carbide tooling insertable combo tools, PCD-tipped tooling, step combination instruments for boring spools etc.

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