Tooling for CNC Machining

Machine Tool

Into the machining field a cutting tool is a tool that remove material from the work piece by a shear deformation. One of the most important qualities that a cutting tool must possess is that it retains its hardness at the high temperatures generated during the cutting process. The most common cutting tool materials used in CNC applications are:

•  HSS
• Cemented carbides
• Ceramics
• Diamond

HSS is alloy of steel containing between 5% and 20% tungsten. It is known by its ability to maintain a cutting edge at the elevated temperatures encountered during machining. Others high-carbon steels can have the same hardness as HSS, but they lose their hardness at the elevated temperatures found at the cutting edges.

Cemented Carbide is another common cutting tool material. Carbides are extremely hard materials and are able to handle a great amount of heat during long periods. Due its hardness carbides must be machined by either grinding or electrical discharge machining. They cost considerably more than their HSS counterparts, but when the productivity gains are measured against cost, carbides are the best choice. 

Ceramic cutting tool materials are formed from sintered aluminum oxides. This material present great performance at higher cutting speeds than cemented carbides and exhibit better wear resistance. This is primarily due to the lower temperatures generated at the tool tip. Its popularity is probably reduce due its deficient capacity for work with intermittent cutting. 

Diamond is natural material with extremely good wear-resistance properties. It resists compression forces twice as well as tungsten carbide and expand very little with heat. For these reasons it can hold very close tolerances during machining and produces an extremely high-quality surface finish.

When machining ferrous components, chemical reaction at high cutting temperatures can cause diamond to revert to its original graphite form. For this reason the cutting tool material is limited to the machining of non-ferrous and non-metallic materials. Polycrystalline diamond is a synthetic diamond mostly used in CNC application due to its super-hard constituents. 

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What is EDM?

Electrical discharge machining

Electrical discharge machining (EDM) uses electrical discharge to remove material from blocks of metal and is also known as electro-discharge erosion.  

The basic process is really quite simple and can be very useful when considering different manufacturing methods for your design project.  

An electrical spark between the electrode and metal is created

Due to the electricity flow the spark generates heat up to 8000 – 12000 degrees Celsius (damn hot).  The spark however is very skillfully controlled and makes sure to only alter the very surface of the part.  Because of this the composition of the material below the surface is not affected by the heat.  

Wire EDM is another variation which is conducted while submerged in purified water (deionized). The water’s conductivity makes for a great dielectric environment for EDM.  The purified water also works as a coolant and helps erode irregularities in the material.

For more information and all your EDM needs the team at ALNO are happy to help.

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CNC Machining | CNC Turning | General Machining

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Tips to getting the right product finish

Turning Tools

Machinists utilize their skills and expertise to produce the most aesthetically pleasing and accurate components possible.  They take pride in their work as do their clients.  A good surface finish and the general look of parts are very important aspects which require the most ideal machining practices to be used.  So how do machinists get the results they want? The following is by no means extensive but it give a little insight:

Use an insert with a wiper

If you can, make sure your manufacturer uses an insert with a wiper.  These have a flat section like the second image in the diagram above.  This flat part ensures that the surface is wiped smooth as the tool moves across the outside of the part.  You can also avoid a finish that has thread elements to it.

Increase the speed

When using cutting tools a rise in the speed of the tool will make sure that your part is touching the tip of the tool for a smaller time period.  This minimizes the material build-up on the end of the tool which can in turn make the surface finish less than ideal. 

Reduce pauses

When a tool stops while it is still touching the surface it can leave a mark on the part.  If you make sure to minimize the number of pauses and hesitations of your tool you can ensure a better surface finish.  You may need to change the entire manufacturing procedure.

For more information please 

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CNC Machining | CNC Turning | General Machining

Component Machining | EDM Machining

Precision Machining | ALNO CNC Machining