What Are The Most Common Cutting Tools for CNC Machining?

CNC machines utilize a diverse array of cutting tools to craft a wide spectrum of geometries.

Here, we highlight some of the most frequently employed machining tools in milling operations.

Flat head, bull head, and ball head tools are versatile options for machining slots, grooves, cavities,

and vertical walls.

Each of these tools possesses distinct geometric capabilities, enabling the fabrication of various features.

Ball head tools, in particular, find widespread use in 5-axis CNC machining to create surfaces

characterized by curvature and freeform geometries.

Drills, unsurprisingly, are the go-to tools for swiftly and efficiently creating holes. Standard drill sizes are readily available for common applications. When non-standard hole diameters are required, plunging flat head tools can be employed, following a helical path.

Slot cutters have a shaft diameter smaller than the cutting edge diameter, allowing them to cut T-slots

and other undercuts by material removal from the sides of vertical walls.

Threading taps are instrumental in manufacturing threaded holes. Achieving precise threading necessitates meticulous control of the tap's rotational and linear speed. Manual tapping remains a

common practice in many machine shops.

Face milling cutters excel at material removal from extensive, flat surfaces. With larger diameters

comparedto end milling tools, they require fewer passes to machine substantial areas, reducing machining time for parts with flat surfaces.

Operators often incorporate face milling steps during the machining cycle to achieve the desired block dimensions.

It's worth noting that CNC turning employs a comprehensive selection of cutting tools to meet diverse

machining requirements, encompassing tasks like face cutting, threading, and groove cutting.