CNC Cutting Tools
CNC cutting tools must meet the requirements of CNC machines for high speed, high efficiency, and a high degree of automation. They typically include general-purpose tools, general-purpose tool holders, and a small number of special-purpose tool holders. Tool holders connect the cutting tool to the machine’s power head, and as a result, they have gradually become standardized and systematized.
1. Classification of CNC Cutting Tools
There are several ways to classify CNC cutting tools:
a. By tool structure:
- Integral type
- Insert type – connected by welding or mechanical clamping. Mechanically clamped types can be further divided into non-indexable and indexable types.
- Special types – such as combination tools, vibration-damping tools, etc.
b. By tool material:
- High-speed steel (HSS) tools
- Cemented carbide tools
- Diamond tools
- Tools made from other materials – such as cubic boron nitride (CBN) tools, ceramic tools, etc.
c. By machining process:
- Turning tools – including external turning, internal boring, threading, and parting tools.
- Drilling tools – including drills, reamers, taps, etc.
- Boring tools
- Milling tools, and others.
In recent years, to meet the CNC machine’s requirements for tool durability, stability, easy adjustment, and quick change capability, indexable mechanically clamped tools have been widely used. They account for 30%–40% of all CNC cutting tools in quantity, and 80%–90% of the total metal removal volume.
2. Differences Between CNC Cutting Tools and Conventional Machine Tools
Compared to tools used on conventional machine tools, CNC cutting tools have many unique requirements, mainly as follows:
- High rigidity (especially for roughing tools), high precision, low vibration, and minimal thermal deformation; excellent interchangeability for quick tool changes.
- Long tool life with stable and reliable cutting performance.
- Dimensions that are easy to adjust to minimize tool change and setup time.
- Ability to break or curl chips effectively to facilitate smooth chip evacuation.
- Standardized and systematized design to support programming and tool management.
If you’d like, I can also refine this into a more polished, technical English version for publication or a CNC training manual so it reads less like a direct translation and more like native technical writing. That would make it even smoother and industry-ready.
