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Mastering the Art of CNC Turning Cutting Tools: A Comprehensive Guide

In the world of manufacturing, CNC (Computer Numerical Control) turning is an essential process that enables the creation of intricate parts with precise dimensions. The turning process involves holding a workpiece in a chuck while it rotates around its axis, and a cutting tool is used to remove material from the workpiece to achieve the desired shape and dimensions. This article will guide you through the various types of CNC turning cutting tools, their applications, and tips to maximize efficiency and productivity.

Different Types of CNC Turning Cutting Tools

1. Carbide Inserts

Carbide inserts are the most commonly used cutting tools in the CNC turning process. Made from a combination of tungsten carbide and cobalt, these inserts provide an excellent balance of hardness, wear resistance, and toughness. Carbide inserts are available in several shapes, such as square, round, diamond, and triangle, to cater to specific cutting operations. They are also available in different grades and coatings to suit various materials and workpiece conditions.

2. High-Speed Steel (HSS) Tools

Although not as popular as carbide inserts, HSS cutting tools are still widely used for certain applications. They provide greater flexibility and a sharper cutting edge, making them suitable for detailed work and intricate part geometries. HSS tools can withstand high temperatures, allowing them to maintain their hardness even during continuous cutting operations.

3. Ceramic Cutting Tools

Ceramic cutting tools are made from either Alumina-based or Silicon Nitride-based materials. These tools offer high hardness, wear resistance, and resistance to heat, making them suitable for high-speed machining applications. Ceramic cutting tools are primarily used for machining hardened steel, superalloys, and other high-temperature materials.

4. Polycrystalline Diamond (PCD) Tools

PCD tools are created by sintering diamond particles together with carbide under high heat and pressure. These tools offer exceptional wear resistance, making them ideal for machining non-ferrous metals, composites, and non-metallic materials. Due to their high cost, PCD tools are often reserved for specific applications where their superior performance outweighs the initial investment.

5. Cubic Boron Nitride (CBN) Tools

CBN tools are second only to diamond in terms of hardness. They are made by sintering CBN grains with a ceramic binder, which results in excellent wear resistance and toughness. CBN tools are ideal for machining hardened steel, superalloys, and cast iron. Their high cost limits their use to specific applications where their performance and extended tool life justify the investment.

Applications of CNC Turning Cutting Tools

The choice of cutting tool depends on the material being machined, the desired geometry of the part, and the specific cutting operation. Some common applications of CNC turning cutting tools include:

1. Roughing Operations: During roughing operations, a significant amount of material is removed from the workpiece. Carbide inserts or HSS tools with a larger nose radius are suitable for roughing as they can withstand the high cutting forces and heat generated.

2. Finishing Operations: In finishing operations, a small layer of material is removed to achieve the final dimensions and surface finish of the part. Carbide inserts with a smaller nose radius or HSS tools are ideal for finishing as they provide a smoother surface finish and precise dimensions.

3. Thread Cutting: Thread cutting involves creating screw threads on the workpiece. Carbide inserts with specialized threading profiles or HSS threading tools can be used for thread cutting.

4. Grooving: Grooving operations involve cutting a narrow channel into the workpiece. Carbide inserts with specialized grooving profiles or HSS grooving tools are used for this purpose.

5. Parting Off: In parting-off operations, the cutting tool is used to separate the finished workpiece from the remaining material. Carbide inserts with specific parting-off profiles or HSS parting tools are used for this application.

Tips for Maximizing Efficiency and Productivity

1. Select the Appropriate Cutting Tool: Choose the right cutting tool based on the material, geometry, and cutting operations involved. The cutting tool's material, grade, and coating should be compatible with the workpiece material to ensure maximum tool life and productivity.

2. Optimize Cutting Parameters: Ideal cutting parameters (spindle speed, feed rate, and depth of cut) should be determined based on the tool's characteristics and workpiece material. Adequate cutting parameters can significantly reduce production time and tool wear while maintaining high-quality results.

3. Use Proper Tool Holding Systems: Ensure that the cutting tool is securely held in a suitable tool holder to minimize vibrations and enable precise cutting operations.

4. Coolant and Lubrication: Employ appropriate coolant and lubrication systems to protect the cutting tool, reduce heat, and prolong the tool's life.

5. Tool Maintenance and Inspection: Regularly inspect and maintain your cutting tools, sharpening or replacing them as necessary to maintain consistent performance and prevent unexpected tool failures.

By understanding the various types of CNC turning cutting tools and their applications, as well as following best practices for tool selection, usage, and maintenance, you can maximize the efficiency and productivity of your CNC turning operations. With a mastery-level knowledge of cutting tools, you'll be well-equipped to tackle any CNC turning project with confidence and precision.

cnc turning cutting tools

What is CNC Turning

CNC turning is a process that involves using computer numerical control (CNC) machines to shape and finish various materials, such as metals and plastics, into desired shapes and sizes.
This process is typically used in the manufacturing industry to produce precision parts and components for a wide range of applications, including automotive, automation, aerospace, medical, machinery, and industrial.

CNC Turning service

Asianstar Professional CNC Turning Service

Asianstar CNC turning Service offers precision machining for a wide range of materials, including metals, plastics, and composites. With high level facilities and skillful operators, we can produce high-quality parts with tight tolerances and intricate designs.

Our CNC turning capabilities allow us to produce parts with diameters ranging from 0.5 mm to 480mm and lengths up to 450mm. We offer both single and multi-axis turning, as well as live tooling options for added complexity and accuracy.

We use proven processes and quality control measures to ensure that every part we produce meets our clients' specifications and expectations.

Whether you need a single prototype or high-volume production runs, our CNC turning service can provide the precision and reliability you need to get your project completed on time and on budget.

CNC Turning service

Components Sizes of Asianstar CNC Turning Service

Unit (mm) Min Max
Out Diameter 0.5 480
Inner Diameter (Hole) 0.3 465
Length 1.0 450
Groove Diameter 0.4 above
Thread M1.2 above

Components Tolerance of Asianstar CNC Turning Service

Unit (mm) Tolerance according to sizes
Height Tolerance Diameter Size 0.5 to 3 3 to 6 6 to 30 30 to 120 120 to300 300 to480
Tolerance ±0.003 ±0.010 ±0.020 ±0.030 ±0.035 ±0.040
Length Tolerance Length Size 0.5 to 3 3 to 6 6 to 10 10 to 20 20 to 30 30 above
Tolerance ±0.010 ±0.020 ±0.250 ±0.250 ±0.030 ±0.035

Components shape and position tolerance of Asianstar CNC Turning Service

Tolerance Class followed Tolerance (mm)
Straightness and Flatness Verticality Symmetry
10 10 to 30 30 to 100 100 to 300 300 to 1000 1000 to 3000 to 100 100 to 300 300 to 1000 1000 to 3000 to 100 100 to 300 300 to 1000 1000 to 3000
H ±0.015 ±0.02 ±0.03 ±0.05 ±0.10 ±0.15 ±0.02 ±0.025 ±0.03 ±0.035 ±0.02 ±0.03 ±0.04 ±0.05

Capability of Asianstar CNC Turning Service

Type of Turning Machine Diameter Size (mm) Length Size (mm) Productivity (PCS/Month)
Auto Turning Machine Simple Turning Machine Multi Turning Machine Pin Turning Machine Min 0.5 Max 480 Min 1.0 Max 450 200’000/Item

ADVANTAGE OF ASIANSTAR CNC MACHINING SERVICE

Multiple Machining Processes

Multiple Machining Processes

Asianstar has various machining processes to support different types of components from client, we can choose the best suitable manufacturing solution to carry result in perfect performance and cheap cost

Flexible Custom Service

Flexible Custom Service

With skillful machining technologies, Asianstar is flexible to support clients on different materials and different structures of the components, we also flexible on the components quantities and even assembly

Create Designing for Clients

Create Designing for Clients

Not only producing according to clients drawings, Asianstar also propose the better designing to clients, supporting clients to buildup improved designing or even new generation components

Standard Procedures

Standard Procedures

Asianstar production, as experienced by many years, is strictly following internal Standard Operating Procedures, to make sure the production schedule is smooth and plans are well carried out well without accidents

Standard Procedures

Standard Procedures

Asianstar strictly controlling product quality by system. We start QC controlling from production plan once setting up, to production process by monitoring QC checking and until the final Inspection before packing

Fast Lead-Time Delivery

Fast Lead-Time Delivery

Asianstar strictly control the production processes, teams keep the plan moving ahead according to the procedures, we have internal time management schedule which mostly bring earlier lead-time of delivery

Asianstar: Professional CNC Machining Supplier

From year of 2005, Asianstar Company establish the CNC Machining Factory in Guangdong Province, China.
We mostly provide CNC Turning, Milling, Drilling, Grinding, and Multi Machining processes service on various materials.
With the Belief of becoming a key supplier in the supply-chain of Precision Components, we strictly control our product quality, keep high precision on our components production, buildup the whole-process QC System and submit the satisfaction for every order.
By long term development, we have buildup partnership with world-wide clients, supporting our partners in Designing, Optimizing, Producing and Testing on each type of components.

OUR CNC MACHINING SERVICES

CNC Turning Service

CNC Turning Service

Our CNC Turning Service provides different sizes of roll shape work-pieces, the diameter range is from 0.5mm to 480mm, reaching tolerance +/-0.003mm.

CNC Milling Service

CNC Milling Service

Our milling machines and CNC centers are able to produce complicated structure part, five-axis devices produce multi-sides at one-time jag which bring high precision result

Sheet Metal Fabrication

Sheet Metal Fabrication

Our Sheet Metal Fabrication provides slicing, punching, bending, welding, painting and assembling for set products, unique tooling for each project to raise production efficiency

Aluminum Extrusion

Aluminum Extrusion

Our Aluminum Extrusion brings clients various shapes of aluminum parts, high efficiency for mass quantity, our precision extrusion mold control tolerance within 0.01mm

Forging Service

Forging Service

For some steel serious products, we apply Forging Service to make out their outer shape and them use CNC devices to start drilling, forming, rolling, cutting, etc.

Finishing Service

Finishing Service

Our Surface Finishing Service uses chemical or electro post-treatments after machining tasks are finished, normally includes Oxide, Anodizing, Passivation, E-Plating, Painting,etc.

FAQ GUIDE

  • Q1.Do you support ODM/OEM?

    Yes, we support ODM/OEM, we provide custom-made service for clients or even support clients on designing or improving

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