CNC Machine Tools Types: A Detail Guide

In the dynamic world of manufacturing and engineering, CNC machine tools have ushered in an era of precision and consistency. If you’re familiar with the capabilities of CNC machines, you’ll agree that the magic truly lies in the tools they employ. From cnc cutter tools to cnc machine cutting tools, the vast spectrum of instruments helps in achieving the desired shapes, sizes, and finishes for various materials. Each CNC tool has its unique application, and understanding them can save both time and costs in the long run.

For businesses, choosing the right machining tools list is crucial for ensuring efficient production. With options ranging from cnc milling tools, cnc turning tools, and intricate cnc bits, the selection can get overwhelming. Whether you’re working on aerospace components, medical devices, or intricate electronics, the need for quality cutting tools remains paramount.

CNC Turning Tools

Turning, a fundamental process in CNC machining, revolves around the concept of a workpiece being rotated on its axis while the cnc turning tools remove material to create the desired shape. As the name suggests, these tools are specifically designed for turning operations. 

External Turning Tools

These are the go-to tools for turning the outer diameter of a workpiece. They are adept at achieving a uniform, smooth finish. To understand better, let’s explore some of the prominent types of external turning tools:

• Straight Turning Tool: As the name suggests, it features a straightforward design optimized for removing material from the workpiece’s exterior. It’s primarily used for straightforward turning operations.
• Offset Turning Tool: This specialized tool is designed with an offset, enabling it to reach areas that might be inaccessible to the straight turning tool. Its unique design makes it invaluable for complex pieces.
• Cranked Turning Tool: A versatile member of the turning tool family, the cranked turning tool is characterized by its bent shank. This design allows for easy access to areas that require intricate turning without the tool holder obstructing the workpiece.

Internal Turning (or Boring) Tool

If you need to enlarge or finish an internal diameter, internal turning or boring tools are your best friends. They delve into the workpiece, removing material from the inside to either enlarge an existing hole or refine its finish. Their design often includes longer lengths to reach deeper into parts and ensure consistent finishes.

Facing Tools

Every machinist understands the importance of a smooth end face for a workpiece. Facing tools, which you might have stumbled upon in a machine shop tools list, specialize in machining the end face of a workpiece. With a robust build and a cutting edge designed for precision, these tools ensure that your workpiece not only looks professional but also fits seamlessly in assemblies where the face of the part is critical.

Parting Off (or Cutoff) Tools

Have you ever wondered how machinists separate a finished part from a bar stock effortlessly? The answer lies in the precise capabilities of parting off tools. Also referred to as cutoff tools, these cnc cutter tools are specifically crafted to cut a piece off the main workpiece. 

Featuring a thin, blade-like design, they cut through the material, separating the component from its stock. They ensure a clean cut, minimizing the need for post-process finishing. It’s a staple tool in the repertoire of every machinist and can often be found in any comprehensive machining tools list.

Grooving Tools

Not every part requires just a cylindrical or straightforward profile. Some applications demand intricate grooves or recesses on a component. Enter grooving tools. 

• External Grooving Tool: When you need to make a groove on the external surface of a part, this tool is your best bet. With a design optimized for creating consistent, precise grooves on a part’s exterior, external grooving tools are indispensable for many applications.
• Internal Grooving Tool: Delving into the depths of a part, internal grooving tools carve out grooves within a component. Whether it’s a keyway inside a gear or a specialized internal feature for a unique assembly, this tool ensures that the internal grooves are as impeccable as the external ones.

Thread Cutting Tools

Threads, be it on a nut, bolt, or any threaded component, are omnipresent in the world of machinery and assemblies. Crafting these threads with precision is of utmost importance, and that’s where thread cutting tools come into play. 

• External Thread Cutting Tool: If you’re looking to craft threads on the external surface of a workpiece, this tool is quintessential. It ensures that the threads are uniform, precise, and fit perfectly with their counterparts.
• Internal Thread Cutting Tool: When threads need to be carved inside a hole or an internal circumference, the internal thread cutting tool rises to the occasion. Its design facilitates the creation of impeccable internal threads.

Knurling Tools:

Have you ever noticed those intricately textured patterns on the handles of metallic tools or on certain metal components? This attractive and functional texture is produced using knurling tools. 

These cnc tools are designed to press a pattern onto a workpiece, usually to provide a better grip. Available in different patterns like straight, diagonal, or diamond, knurling tools are essential for parts where slip resistance is vital.

Chamfering Tools:

Sharp edges on a metal component aren’t just potentially dangerous; they also present challenges in assemblies and finishing processes. Chamfering tools are the solution. These cnc machine cutting tools create a beveled edge at the corner of a workpiece, giving it a more finished look while reducing the sharpness. Whether you’re looking to improve the aesthetics, safety, or fitting of a part, chamfering tools are your go-to.

Form Tools: 

Not all parts have standard shapes or profiles. Some applications demand unique contours that standard tools can’t achieve. This is where form tools come into play. These specialized cnc machining tools are crafted to produce specific profiles on a workpiece. 

From intricate decorative profiles to functional shapes designed for specific applications, form tools transform a basic workpiece into a piece of art or a highly specialized component.

Drilling Tools

One of the fundamental processes in machining is creating holes, and that’s precisely what drilling tools are designed for. A staple in the machinist tools list, these cnc drills are employed to create holes in a workpiece during turning operations. 

With different types of cnc drill bits available, from standard twist drills to centering drills, there’s a drilling tool for every need. Whether it’s a through-hole, blind hole, or a countersink, drilling tools ensure that each hole is precise and clean.

CNC Milling Tools

Milling allows for the removal of material from a workpiece, ensuring precise shapes and surfaces. With CNC machine tools becoming ever more sophisticated, the types of milling tools have expanded to accommodate a variety of machining needs.

Flat End Mill

Among the most common cnc milling tools, the flat end mill is a workhorse in the milling world. As the name suggests, it features a flat bottom that makes it ideal for creating flat surfaces. 

With its sharp cutting edges on the side and bottom, it’s used extensively for general milling operations. When you need a clean, sharp, and straight edge, the flat end mill is your go-to cnc cutter tool.

Ball Nose End Mill

If the world of milling were an art, the ball nose end mill would be one of the artist’s favorite brushes. Distinguished by its hemispherical tip, this cnc milling tool is designed for 3D contouring, scalloping, and engraving. 

When you need to create intricate patterns, carve out detailed 3D shapes, or add refined details to a workpiece, the ball nose end mill’s rounded tip makes it the preferred choice. It’s especially valuable when working on projects where smooth and scalloped edges are desired, like intricate molds or sculptures.

Corner Radius End Mill

This versatile tool is essentially a hybrid, blending the features of its two cousins. Its tip, while square like the flat end mill, has rounded corners, much like the ball nose’s spherical end. 

This unique design allows it to perform detailed contouring like the ball nose while still providing the structural strength seen in the flat end mill. The result? A durable cnc machine cutting tool that offers both precision and strength, making it a popular choice for tasks that require both robustness and finesse.

Roughing End Mill

This tool is characterized by its serrated cutting edges which allow for efficient material removal. The key strength of the roughing end mill lies in its ability to remove material rapidly, setting the stage for finishing tools to complete the final details. 

However, due to its aggressive nature, it often leaves behind a rough surface finish, which is where its name originates. Think of the roughing end mill as the initial stage in the sculpting process – it gets the rough shape out before finer details are added.

Square End Mill

The square end mill is another commonly used tool in the CNC milling tool roster. Much like the flat end mill, it has a square corner at the tip but is specifically designed for creating a flat-bottomed groove or slot in a workpiece. 

Its straight edges are perfect for tasks where a precise 90-degree angle is needed. Whether you’re working on pockets, slots, or other features that require a clean square bottom, the square end mill stands as an indispensable asset.

Drill Bits

While many are familiar with drill bits from household drills, in the realm of CNC machining, drill bits hold a unique significance. These cnc drills are precisely engineered for creating holes in a workpiece. They come in various sizes and coatings, tailored for different materials and depths. 

When it comes to CNC, it’s not just about drilling a hole; it’s about ensuring that hole is perfectly round, of exact diameter, and at the precise depth. These cnc bits explained simply: are the pillars of precision when it comes to hole-making operations. Whether you’re tapping a thread or simply creating a pass-through, choosing the right drill bit is crucial.

Face Mill

Unlike traditional end mills, a face mill cuts primarily with its face, rather than its periphery. The multiple cutting edges spread the workload, ensuring even wear and a consistent finish. The replaceable carbide inserts are both a testament to its durability and a nod to its versatility. 

Fly Cutter

Sometimes, simplicity outshines complexity, and the fly cutter is a testament to that. This CNC tool has a simple design – a single-point cutting tool used primarily for surfacing operations. The unique strength of the fly cutter lies in its ability to provide a very smooth finish, often better than multi-tooth tools. 

While they might not remove material as quickly as other tools, the finish they achieve is often superior. For those looking to get a mirror-like finish on larger surfaces, the fly cutter stands as a beacon among CNC milling tools.

Reamer

Precision and finesse are the hallmarks of the reamer. In the world of CNC machining, where exact measurements are paramount, a reamer plays a crucial role in finishing and enlarging pre-drilled holes to precise diameters. 

A reamer doesn’t carve out holes from scratch; rather, it refines them, ensuring they meet exact specifications. It’s a tool that bridges the slight gap between ‘almost right’ and ‘perfect’. 

Thread Mill

Unlike traditional taps and dies that form threads through pressure, thread mills use a helical interpolation method to carve threads both internally and externally. This not only ensures precision but also offers flexibility in terms of thread size, pitch, and depth. Especially useful for producing threads in materials that are difficult to tap, the thread mill is an invaluable tool in the CNC machining arsenal.

T-slot Cutter

T-slots are integral to many clamping and fixture setups in the machining world. The T-slot cutter, as the name suggests, is a specialized CNC machine tool designed to carve out these T-shaped grooves with precision.

 Its unique shape – a large cutting diameter with a narrow neck – allows it to create the undercut necessary for T-slots. When components need to be securely anchored to a table or fixture, the T-slot cutter ensures that the anchoring grooves are made to perfection.

Slitting Saw

Characterized by its thin, large-diameter design, the slitting saw can effectively slice through materials with minimal wastage. Its thin profile ensures that the kerf, or the material removed during cutting, is minimal, leading to efficient and precise cuts. 

Undercut End Mills

Every once in a while, in the realm of CNC machining, we encounter undercuts – those tricky recessed areas that are challenging to machine due to their obscured or tucked-away nature. With its unique 270° spherical design, it can reach and machine undercuts that conventional end mills simply cannot.

Chamfer Mill

Sharp edges can often be undesirable, both for tactile and functional reasons. The Chamfer Mill is the perfect solution to this. Designed with a cutting edge that is off-centered and angled, it’s an essential CNC milling tool for creating beveled edges, thus removing sharp corners. 

Corner Rounding End Mill

The Corner Rounding End Mill serves both purposes by smoothing out sharp external edges, rendering them both safer and more visually appealing. With its concave, radiused tip, this tool gently transitions sharp corners into smooth, rounded edges. 

CNC Machine Tools Brands

The CNC machine tools arena is a dynamic one, boasting brands that specialize in precision, durability, and top-tier performance. These brands produce the cutting-edge tools essential for the myriad tasks a CNC machine undertakes, whether it’s milling, turning, or drilling.

Sandvik Coromant

• Overview: A global leader hailing from Sweden, Sandvik Coromant is renowned for its high-quality metal cutting tools.
• Unique Selling Point: Extensive R&D leading to innovations like Silent Tools™ technology.
• Link:https://www.sandvik.coromant.com/

Iscar

• Overview: Based in Israel, Iscar is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of precision carbide metalworking tools.
• Unique Selling Point: Pioneering tool systems like MULTI-MASTER®, CHAMDRILL®, and HELIIQMILL 390®.
• Link: https://www.iscar.com/ 

Kennametal

• Overview: With origins in the USA, Kennametal has a long history of producing a wide array of metalworking tools and wear-resistant solutions.
• Unique Selling Point: Innovations like the HARVI™ Ultra 8X helical milling cutter.
• Link: https://www.kennametal.com/ 

Seco Tools

• Overview: A Swedish brand known for its comprehensive metal cutting solutions for milling, turning, holemaking, and toolholding.
• Unique Selling Point: Duratomic® coating technology for enhanced tool life.
• Link: https://www.secotools.com/ 

Walter Tools

• Overview: Hailing from Germany, Walter Tools is a powerhouse in the metalworking industry, offering tools for turning, drilling, threading, and milling.
• Unique Selling Point: Tiger·tec® cutting material grades for improved tool performance.
• Link: https://www.walter-tools.com/ 

CNC Machine Tools Materials

The materials used to manufacture CNC machine tools play a pivotal role in determining their durability, precision, and performance. The inherent characteristics of the material, such as hardness, toughness, and resistance to wear and heat, will dictate the tool’s effectiveness in various machining operations. Here’s a deep dive into the predominant materials used in the production of CNC machine tools:

Carbon Steel

Overview: As an alloy of iron and carbon, carbon steel is widely used in tooling due to its malleability and toughness.

Advantages: Can be tempered to achieve various hardness levels. Susceptible to rust without proper care or coatings.

High-Speed Steel (HSS):

Overview: HSS is a popular tool material known for its ability to retain hardness at high temperatures. It’s versatile and can be used for various applications like milling, drilling, and turning.

Advantages: Excellent toughness, resistance to wear, and can be used at higher cutting speeds.

Carbide (Tungsten Carbide):

Overview: Carbide tools are formed by binding tungsten carbide particles with a metal, usually cobalt. They’re known for their extreme hardness and ability to maintain sharp edges.

Advantages: High wear resistance, able to maintain sharpness for longer periods, suitable for high-speed machining.

Ceramics (Alumina and Silicon Nitride):

Overview: Ceramic tools are non-metallic and are generally used for high-speed machining of hardened metals.

Advantages: High heat resistance, suitable for high-speed operations, and reduced wear in certain applications.

Cubic Boron Nitride (CBN):

Overview: CBN is second only to diamond in terms of hardness. It’s especially effective for machining hardened steels and cast irons.

Advantages: Exceptional hardness, high thermal stability, and superior wear resistance.

Polycrystalline Diamond (PCD):

Overview: PCD tools are made of synthetic diamond particles sintered together. They are suitable for non-ferrous metals, plastics, and composite materials.

Advantages: Extremely hard, excellent wear resistance, and long tool life.

Coatings for CNC Machine Tools

The advanced world of CNC machining demands more than just precision; it requires longevity and robustness from its tools. To enhance the life, performance, and overall functionality of CNC machine tools, a variety of coatings are applied. These coatings not only protect the tools from wear and tear but also reduce friction, thus improving the efficiency and quality of machining.

Titanium Nitride (TiN)

Overview: Recognizable by its gold appearance, TiN is one of the most common coatings. It provides general-purpose protection and increases tool life.

Advantages: Excellent wear resistance, suitable for a range of applications, and promotes higher feed rates.

Titanium Carbonitride (TiCN)

Overview: Exhibiting a bluish-gray hue, TiCN offers superior hardness and is specifically beneficial for higher cutting speed scenarios.

Advantages: Greater wear resistance than TiN, reduced friction, and enhanced tool lifespan.

Titanium Aluminum Nitride (TiAlN or AlTiN):

Overview: With its violet hue, TiAlN stands out and is particularly adept at handling high-temperature operations, often seen in dry machining.

Advantages: Superb heat resistance, assists in preventing the transfer of heat to the tool, and excellent for high-performance applications.

Diamond Coating

Overview: Primarily used for non-ferrous applications, this coating elevates tool hardness to unparalleled levels.

Advantages: Exceptional wear resistance, especially effective for composite materials and non-ferrous metals.

Chromium Nitride (CrN)

Overview: A silvery coating that works wonders for reducing friction and enhancing corrosion resistance.

Advantages: Ideal for high lubricity requirements, offers protection against adhesion and wear.

How to Choose the Suitable CNC Machine Tools to Make Precision Parts

Crafting precision parts demands more than just advanced machinery. It requires the right CNC machine tools tailored to your specific need. With the vast assortment of tools available, selecting the best fit can seem overwhelming. Fret not! Here’s a comprehensive guide to navigate this intricate decision-making process:

Understand the Material

Before diving into tool selection, understand the material you’re machining. Different materials, whether aluminum, titanium, plastics, or alloys, have varied machinability.

Determine the Operation Type

Will you be doing milling, turning, or drilling? The type of operation significantly influences the tool choice.

Tool Material & Coating

The tool material, whether carbide, high-speed steel, or cobalt, affects performance. Additionally, consider the appropriate coating for added durability and efficiency.

Tool Geometry

Look into tool angles, spiral geometry, and flute count. These factors directly impact the finish, tool life, and cutting efficiency.

Workpiece Geometry

Understand the intricacies of the workpiece. Tight corners require different tools compared to broad surfaces.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a seasoned machinist or a newcomer to the field, the journey of understanding and mastering CNC tools is ongoing. The links we’ve provided throughout this guide serve as valuable resources, offering deeper insights into each topic. From understanding different types of CNC machines to gaining insights into 5-axis CNC machining, continuous learning remains pivotal.

In closing, always strive for precision, embrace innovation, and remember that behind every intricately crafted part is a tool, a machine, and the skilled hands that guide them. As technology continues to advance, so too will the capabilities and potential of CNC machining. Embrace the journey, and let’s continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible together.

FAQ

How do I choose a CNC tool?

Choosing the right CNC tool depends on several factors: the material you’re working with, the desired outcome, the machine’s capability, and the production volume. Start by identifying the purpose (e.g., turning, milling, drilling) and then consider tool material, geometry, and any required coatings.

What is the most common material used for CNC tooling?

Tungsten carbide is often the material of choice for CNC machine tooling due to its high hardness, heat resistance, and wear resistance. Other materials include high-speed steel (HSS) and polycrystalline diamond (PCD).