CNC machining (Computer Numerical Control, machining center) is one of the most important precision machining methods in modern manufacturing. The core lies in the selection and application of tools. Tools not only affect machining efficiency, but also directly determine machining quality and production costs. Different workpiece materials, machining methods and surface quality requirements have different requirements for tool materials, shapes and structures. This article will systematically introduce the common types of tools in CNC machining and their applicable scenarios to help users choose tools reasonably and improve production efficiency.

1. Milling Cutter

Milling cutter is one of the most commonly used tools in CNC machining, widely used in plane, curved surface, groove and contour machining.

End Mill: Used for finishing of sides, planes and contours, suitable for materials such as steel and aluminum alloys.

Ball Nose End Mill: Used for 3D curved surface machining, such as mold surfaces and complex structural parts, commonly used in aviation and automotive fields.

Bull Nose End Mill: It has the advantages of both ball head and end mill, and is used in areas where transition radius is required to reduce stress concentration.

Application scenarios: mold manufacturing, mechanical parts, aviation structural parts, complex shape processing, etc.

2. Drill Bit

Drill bits are used to open holes and are the basic tools for CNC drilling.

Twist drill: The most commonly used general-purpose drill, suitable for most materials such as aluminum, steel, and stainless steel.

Center drill: Used for positioning holes, pre-drilling steps before processing to ensure accuracy.

Step drill: Suitable for processing multiple apertures at one time, commonly used for plates and housing parts.

Application scenarios: precision hole processing, assembly holes, threaded hole pretreatment, etc.

3. Taps and tapping tools (Tap)

Taps are used for threaded hole processing. According to the hole depth and material, they are divided into straight groove taps, spiral taps, extrusion taps, etc.

Spiral taps: Suitable for processing blind holes and have good chip removal capabilities.

Straight groove tap: used for through holes, especially for brittle materials such as cast iron.

Extrusion tap: a chipless thread forming method, suitable for processing high ductility materials such as aluminum alloy, copper, etc.

Application scenarios: threaded connection of mechanical parts, screw hole processing of electronic product housing, etc.

4. Boring tool

Boring tool is used to enlarge or refine the processed holes to improve the dimensional accuracy and surface quality of the holes.

Rough boring tool: suitable for quickly removing excess material.

Fine boring tool: used for high-precision hole processing, with an accuracy of up to micron level.

Application scenario: high-precision hole processing such as cylinder, valve body, mold positioning hole, etc.

5. Turning tool

Suitable for cutting operations on CNC lathes.

External turning tool: used for external surface processing such as outer diameter and step.

Internal turning tool: processing inner hole and inner circle surface.

Grooving tool and cutting tool: used for grooving and cutting workpieces.

Application scenarios: shaft parts processing, automotive parts, standard parts, etc.

6. Special tools and compound tools

As the demand for CNC processing continues to increase, compound tools (such as milling and drilling tools, tapping drills) are becoming increasingly popular, used to improve processing efficiency and reduce the number of tool changes.

Application scenarios: mass production, automated production lines, and one-time molding of complex structure workpieces.