CNC machining can generally be divided into two main categories: conventional machining and high-speed machining.
- Conventional machines typically operate at spindle speeds of up to 8,000 RPM.
- High-speed machines generally have spindle speeds exceeding 12,000 RPM.
- Machines with spindle speeds between 8,000 and 12,000 RPM are considered semi–high-speed machines.
In CNC machining processes, operations are usually classified into three stages:
- Roughing
- Semi-finishing
- Finishing
For roughing, larger cutting tools (such as fly cutters and end mills) are typically used with greater cutting depth and stepover (heavy cuts) to quickly remove large volumes of material.
For finishing, light cutting (small depth of cut, small stepover) is combined with higher spindle speeds and feed rates to achieve excellent surface accuracy.
- Flat surface finishing → end mills (or radius cutters) and fly cutters.
- Vertical wall finishing → end mills.
- Curved surface finishing → ball nose cutters (or radius cutters).
During machining, the hardness of the workpiece material should be considered when selecting the tool:
- For soft materials such as plastics and wood, steel tools made in China or Germany are suitable.
- For copper, aluminum, and steels with hardness below HRC 38 (e.g., 45# steel, mold base materials), use imported steel tools from China or Germany.
- For harder materials (e.g., hardened mold steel), carbide tools, TiN-coated tools, or tungsten steel tools should be prioritized.
This article provides a set of reference cutting parameters for standard, widely used CNC machining centers, covering both roughing and finishing operations. The tools discussed include fly cutters, HSS tools, end mills, tungsten steel flat mills, HSS ball nose cutters, and tungsten steel ball nose cutters.
Since workpiece materials vary widely, the tables below present representative parameters for aluminum alloys, 45# steel, and stainless steel.
Cutting Tool Parameter Table 1 – Fly Cutter, Roughing, 45# Steel
Cutting Tool Parameter Table 2 – Imported HSS Flat End Mill, Roughing, Aluminum Alloy & 45# Steel
Cutting Tool Parameter Table 3 – HSS Ball Nose Cutter, Finishing, Aluminum Alloy & 45# Steel
Cutting Tool Parameter Table 4 – Tungsten Steel Ball Nose Cutter, Finishing, 45# Steel & Stainless Steel
Cutting Tool Parameter Table 5 – Tungsten Steel Flat End Mill, Finishing, 45# Steel & Stainless Steel
Cutting Tool Parameter Table 6 – HSS Flat End Mill, Finishing, Aluminum Alloy & 45# Steel
If you send me the actual cutting parameter data in the tables, I can also translate and format them into a professional English CNC tooling parameter chart so the entire section looks like a ready-to-publish technical manual. That way, the translation will not only be accurate but also follow standard industrial documentation style.
