Mold Cutting Tools
Cutting tools are used on machine tools to cut metal, and are one component of the overall mold machining process to consider when looking to improve speeds, feeds, wear and surface finish.
The broad category of “cutting tools” includes all of the consumable tooling involved in milling, drilling, turning and other lathe and machining center operations.
Drills, end mills, taps, reamers and inserts are all included here. Consumable tooling used on certain other types of machine tools is included here as well. Also found here are toolholders and closely related accessories such as angle heads.
ESSENTIAL READING
VIEW ALLHow to Use Continuing Education to Remain Competitive in Moldmaking
Continued training helps moldmakers make tooling decisions and properly use the latest cutting tool to efficiently machine high-quality molds.
Read MoreHow to Overcome Cutting Tool Vibration
Advanced indexable milling cutting tool design provides secure, predictable machining, increased metal removal rates, reduced cycle times and fast changeovers.
Read MoreTen Things You Need to Know about Circle Segment Milling
Considerations for evaluating if circle segment end mills or conical barrel cutters are right for your mold machining applications.
Read MoreWhen to Use Solid Carbide Thread Mills or Indexable Thread Mills
Pointers for choosing solid carbide thread mills versus indexable thread mills.
Read MoreHow a Small Programming Change Cuts Cycle Time in Half
Overriding the CAM system when milling a series of lifter pockets helps to improve metal removal rate and increase feed rates.
Read MoreLatest Cutting Tools News And Updates
PVD-Coated, Uncoated Insert Grades to Reliably Drill Aluminum
Walter USA highlights the WNN15 and WN15 available for indexable insert drills that specialize in machining aluminum alloys.
Read MoreUpdated Catalog Gives Comprehensive Look at Cutting Tool Solutions
OSG USA has released the latest edition of the Tooling Solutions Product Catalog in print and in digital versions with 60 new list numbers and improved digital usability.
Read MoreCollet Chuck Design Optimizes Machine Tool Performance
Lyndex-Nikken offers SK collet chucks with accuracy and precision in mind when milling, drilling, reaming and rigid tapping.
Read MoreEnd Mills, Drills, Inserts and More for Mold Building Needs
This list of cutting tool-related products that MMT editors have recently published provide readers a good look at what is being offered in the industry for their everyday operations.
Read MoreMilling Cutters for Ceramic Inserts Offer Extreme Toughness
The Walter M2472 and M2473 milling cutter bodies accept ceramic button inserts for machining at high cutting speeds.
Read MoreMoldmakers Maximize Tooling Investments With Carbide Drill
Among West Ohio Tool’s custom PCD and carbide tooling, the EdgeX4 drill shows consistent precision, reliability and performance for holemaking.
Read MoreFeatured Posts
Select End Mills With Mold Material, Features and Machining Process in Mind
Here are some factors to consider when choosing cutting tools for pre-roughing, hard milling, steep walls and tough materials.
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What Do the MMT Advisory Board, Leadtime Leaders & MMT Chats all have in common?...They were all fan favorites in our top July articles!
Read MoreProduct Innovations Pushing the Mold
Another tech roundup is here to provide an overview of technologies and services on the market for moldmakers. Featured in this roundup are cutting tools, mold components and more.
Read MoreCutting Tools: Technology to Make Your Process Easier
Having the right cutting tool technology for moldmaking is a crucial component for efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
WatchTechnology and Sourcing Guide 2023: Cutting Tools
Cutting tools are used on machine tools to cut metal, and are one component of the overall mold machining process to consider when looking to improve speeds, feeds, wear and surface finish.
Read MoreTolerancing in Mold Design, Overcoming Cutting Tool Vibration, SPE MTD Updates & More Most-Viewed May Content
Every month, MMT draws inspiration from its diverse readership's wide-ranging interests, from mold design tolerancing to cutting tools and beyond. Here are May’s top 10 most-viewed articles, based on Google Analytics.
Read MoreFAQ: Cutting Tools
Why is through-tool coolant valuable, and why are shops are seeing greater need for it?
Getting coolant to the cutting edge is critical for any manufacturing application. It helps in cooling the cutting zone, provides very needed lubrication, and can assist in breaking a chip. Many times, external lines are used to splash coolant near the work zone. Long Chips can easily interfere with this delivery method, possibly knocking the lines out of the way. Additionally, when tools need to be changed or indexed coolant lines might be moved for better access to the tool. Then when the line is put back it is never the same as it previously was. Often times there is a give-and-take methodology used to cover areas being machined with this coolant, so all tools get some cooling, but none of them get ideal cooling. A coolant-through tool allows pinpoint accuracy with a specific direction of coolant pointed exactly at the cutting zone.
Through-tool coolant is available on cutters that couldn't offer it before. What has changed in the technology of tool manufacturing to make this possible?
There’s been a big change is the ability to drill small-diameter holes very deep and do this in a production atmosphere. Part of this comes from the drilling machines being able to reach the necessary speeds and holders that provide superior clamping and runout. The other part comes from tools designed specifically for this drilling application.
On a coolant-through tool, material could be added in areas that may need additional strength, allowing for the intersecting coolant ports to be drilled accordingly.
What aspect of tool engineering is responding to greater cutting speed?
Machines and tools seem to have a back-and-forth dance in terms of which is leading. Coatings continue to evolve, with more layers, and different material being used. This is something all tool manufactures are playing with on some level. The changes in coating technology is somewhat more limited, and not as many are playing in this arena. One process that comes to mind is “HiPIMS,” or high-power impulse magnetron sputtering. This process uses microsecond timing of extreme-power pulses. This allows the metal to ionize to nano size particles to be deposited on the tools. This process allows for greater adhesion and coating hardness, while maintaining great lubricity. Additionally, this process has greatly reduced compressive stresses. This reduction allows for smaller edge preps to be used, thus resulting in sharper tools.
Why is diamond used as an industrial cutting tool?
Developments in polycrystalline diamond (PCD) and cubic boron nitride (CBN) have allowed these materials to improve in ways that make them more versatile and cost-effective. Meanwhile, the machining speed and tool life of these tools continue to take machining processes to levels of performance where carbide cannot go.
Through long tool life and fast cutting parameters, the tools increase machine capacity by reducing the frequency of tool replacements and allowing machines to make parts at a greater rate. Meanwhile, the tooling increasingly figures into expert solutions tailored to more demanding applications in various industries.
Source: The New Rules of Cutting Tools - Rule #3: Diamond Shouldn't Be Rare
What are cutting tools made of?
Polycrystalline diamond (PCD), cubic boron nitride (CBN), ceramic, high-speed steel (HHS), cemented carbide or cermet.
Sources: What's Happening With Cutting Tools