CNC turning lathe, Swiss type lathe original manufacturer since 2007.
How to Choose the Right Cutting Tools for a 9 Axis Milling Machine
Introduction
Milling machines are an essential tool for any manufacturing industry. They allow for precise cutting and shaping of materials, making them versatile and indispensable. When it comes to 9-axis milling machines, the importance of choosing the right cutting tools cannot be overstated. In this article, we will explore the factors to consider when selecting cutting tools for a 9-axis milling machine, as well as provide some valuable tips to ensure optimal performance.
Understanding 9-Axis Milling Machines
Before delving into the criteria for selecting cutting tools, it is important to understand what a 9-axis milling machine is and how it differs from other milling machines. A 9-axis milling machine is capable of multiple simultaneous movements, resulting in enhanced precision and efficiency. It allows for machining complex and intricate shapes by rotating the cutting tool in various axes. This capability sets it apart from traditional 3-axis or 5-axis milling machines.
Factors to Consider when Choosing Cutting Tools for a 9-axis Milling Machine
1. Material
The first and foremost consideration when selecting cutting tools is the material to be machined. Different materials require different types of cutting tools. For example, cutting tools for aluminum will have different specifications compared to those used for steel or titanium. Understanding the properties of the material and its machinability will help determine the appropriate cutting tools for the job.
2. Cutting Speed and Feed Rate
The cutting speed and feed rate are crucial factors that impact the performance and tool life. Cutting speed refers to the speed at which the cutting tool rotates, while the feed rate represents the speed at which the material is removed. It is important to find the right balance between the two to achieve optimal results. Using an incorrect cutting speed or feed rate can lead to poor surface finish, excessive tool wear, or even tool breakage.
3. Tool Coatings
Tool coatings play a pivotal role in extending the tool life and improving performance. Coatings such as TiN (Titanium Nitride), TiCN (Titanium Carbonitride), or TiAlN (Titanium Aluminum Nitride) provide enhanced hardness, lubricity, and heat resistance. These coatings reduce friction, prevent chip welding, and improve chip evacuation, resulting in longer tool life and increased productivity.
4. Tool Geometry
The geometry of the cutting tool influences its efficiency in removing material. Factors such as the number of flutes, helix angle, and rake angle impact chip evacuation, tool stability, and surface finish. Choosing the appropriate tool geometry based on the material being machined and the specific operation being performed is crucial for achieving desired results.
5. Tool Material
Determining the appropriate tool material is vital for achieving optimum performance. High-speed steel (HSS) tools are suitable for general-purpose milling but may not provide the required cutting speed and surface finish for challenging materials. Carbide tools, on the other hand, exhibit superior wear resistance and are preferred for machining hard materials like stainless steel or exotic alloys. Ceramics or diamond-coated tools are also ideal for high-speed machining of abrasive materials.
Tips for Maximizing Cutting Tool Performance
1. Regular Maintenance
To prolong the life of cutting tools, routine maintenance is crucial. This includes cleaning, lubricating, and inspecting tools for any signs of wear or damage. Dull or damaged tools should be replaced promptly to avoid compromising the quality of the machining process.
2. Proper Tool Storage
Storing cutting tools in a suitable environment is essential to prevent damage. Tools should be stored in a clean, dry place to avoid corrosion or contamination. Using tool organizers or trays can help maintain tool integrity and minimize the risk of accidents.
3. Selecting the Right Tool Holders
In addition to choosing the correct cutting tools, it is equally important to select the appropriate tool holders. Tool holders ensure the stability and accuracy of the cutting tool during machining. They should be properly sized and designed to minimize runout and maximize rigidity.
4. Utilizing Coolant and Lubrication
Using coolant and lubrication during the machining process can significantly enhance tool life and surface finish. Proper cooling helps in chip evacuation, reduces cutting forces, and minimizes tool wear. The choice of coolant will depend on the material being machined and the specific machining operation.
5. Continuous Improvement
To stay competitive in today's fast-paced manufacturing industry, it is essential to continuously seek ways to improve machining processes. Staying updated with the latest cutting tool technologies and exploring innovative techniques can lead to enhanced productivity, reduced costs, and improved overall performance.
Conclusion
Selecting the right cutting tools for a 9-axis milling machine is crucial for achieving optimal performance and efficiency. By considering factors such as material, cutting speed, tool coatings, tool geometry, and tool material, manufacturers can ensure proper tool selection for their specific machining requirements. Implementing proper maintenance practices, using suitable tool holders, and incorporating coolant/lubrication will further enhance the performance and prolong the tool life. With the right approach, manufacturers can maximize their investment in 9-axis milling machines and achieve outstanding results in the manufacturing process.
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Unlike the multi axis cnc machine, the is more flexibly used in accasions where mill axis .
Daily “Clean + Lubricate” as the Baseline
After each shift, remove chips and coolant residue from the fixture surface and collet jaws with a soft cloth or air gun to prevent corrosion and re-clamping errors. Every eight hours, apply a trace of rust preventive oil to spring collets, guide bushings and other moving parts; once a week, add a thin coat of grease to ball-screw nuts and hydraulic cylinder rods to reduce wear. Before any prolonged shutdown, spray anti-rust oil on internal bores and locating faces and wrap them in wax paper or plastic film.
Precision Calibration & Data Closure
Use ring gauges or master bars every month to verify repeatability of the fixture; log results in the MES. If deviation exceeds 0.005 mm, trigger compensation or repair. For quick-change systems (HSK/Capto), check taper contact percentage every six months—target ≥ 80 %. If lower, re-grind or replace.
Spare Parts & Training
Keep minimum stock of jaws, seals and springs to enable replacement within two hours. Hold quarterly on-machine training sessions for operators on correct clamping practices and anomaly recognition to eliminate abusive clamping.
In short, embedding “clean–lubricate–inspect–calibrate” into daily SOP keeps the fixture delivering micron-level accuracy, reduces downtime, and extends overall machine life.
Six preventive measures
Environment control: keep the workshop at a stable temperature and low humidity; exclude dust and corrosive gases to reduce chemical wear on guideways and screws.
Daily checks: remove chips every shift and inspect the lubrication of the spindle, bearings, ball screws and guideways; act on any abnormality immediately.
Preventive lubrication: replace lubricants on schedule and keep the lubrication system unobstructed to minimize fatigue wear.
Accuracy monitoring: use laser interferometers or ball-bar systems monthly to measure geometric errors and compensate for ball-screw backlash or guideway straightness in time.
Electrical health checks: periodically examine cables, relays and cooling fans to prevent hidden aging caused by overheating.
Data monitoring: onboard sensors record spindle current, vibration and temperature; cloud-based analytics predict early bearing or tool failures.
Why prevention matters
• Ensures machining consistency: eliminating micron-level error sources keeps batch dimensions stable and reduces scrap.
• Extends machine life: preventing micro-cracks from growing can prolong overall life by more than 20 %.
• Reduces unplanned downtime: planned maintenance replaces emergency repairs, increasing overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) by 10 % or more.
• Cuts total cost: lower spare-parts inventory, labor and lost-production costs can save tens of thousands of dollars per machine annually.
• Enhances brand reputation: consistent on-time, defect-free deliveries strengthen customer trust and secure future orders.
Optimizing cycle time on turn-mill machining centers is crucial for boosting productivity and reducing costs. It requires a systematic approach addressing machine tools, cutting tools, processes, programming, fixtures, and material flow.
Ensure Geometric Accuracy
Swiss-type lathes process long, slender workpieces with multi-axis synchronization. A bed inclination of only 0.02 mm/m creates a “slope error” along the Z-axis, tilting the tool relative to the part centerline. This results in taper on outer diameters and asymmetric thread profiles. Periodic re-verification and re-leveling restore overall geometric accuracy to factory standards, guaranteeing consistent dimensions during extended production runs.
Extend Guideway and Ball-Screw Life
When the machine is not level, guideways carry uneven loads and lubricant films become discontinuous, accelerating localized wear and causing stick-slip or vibration. After re-leveling with shims or wedges, load distribution evens out, reducing guideway scoring and ball-screw side-loading. Service life typically improves by more than 20 %.
Suppress Thermal Growth and Vibration
A tilted bed leads to asymmetric coolant and lubricant flow, generating thermal gradients. Subsequent expansion further amplifies geometric errors. Re-verifying level, combined with thermal compensation, produces a more uniform temperature rise and reduces scrap caused by thermal drift. Additionally, a level bed raises natural frequencies, cutting chatter amplitude and improving surface finish by half to one full grade.
Chinese-built Swiss-type lathes have moved beyond the “low-cost substitute” label to become the “value leader” for overseas users. On the cost side, machines of comparable specification are priced well below those of traditional leading brands, and ongoing maintenance costs amount to only a fraction, dramatically lowering the entry barrier for small-to-medium job shops in Europe and North America. Lead time is equally compelling: major domestic OEMs can ship standard models within weeks, and special configurations follow shortly thereafter. When urgent orders arise from the electric-vehicle or medical-device sectors, Chinese production lines consistently deliver rapid responses.
Intelligence is on par with top-tier global standards. Machines routinely feature thermal compensation, AI-based tool-life prediction, and cloud-enabled remote diagnostics. Mean time between failures is long, and fully open data interfaces simplify secondary development for end users. Complementing this is a worldwide service network: Chinese manufacturers maintain parts depots and resident field engineers across the Americas, Europe, and Southeast Asia, enabling on-site support often within a single day, whereas legacy brands usually require factory returns measured in weeks.
1. Quick Troubleshooting Steps
Check the clamping pressure: Ensure the pressure plate or collet applies even force; too much or too little pressure will jam the bar. Adjust the pneumatic or hydraulic release mechanism accordingly.
Align the material path: Verify that the bar feeder, guide bushing, and spindle centers are collinear; any offset will cause the bar to twist or wedge.
Inspect belts and rollers: Belts must be tensioned correctly—loose belts slip, over-tight belts bind. Replace worn rollers immediately.
Lubricate moving parts: Clean and grease the eccentric shaft, release cam, and pusher fingers; lack of lubrication is a common cause of seizure.
I. Installation Guidelines for Swiss-Type Lathe Bed
1. Foundation Preparation
Floor Requirements: The Swiss lathe bed must be installed on a solid, level concrete foundation to prevent machining inaccuracies caused by ground settlement or vibration.
Load Capacity: The foundation must support the machine’s weight and dynamic cutting forces to avoid deformation affecting spindle and guide bushing alignment.
Vibration Isolation: If the workshop has vibration sources (e.g., punch presses, forging machines), anti-vibration pads or isolation trenches are recommended to enhance CNC machine stability.
Summary
Ball screws are the physical enablers of Swiss-type lathes across five critical dimensions:
Micron-level positioning for complex micro-structures;
High-speed rigidity supporting synchronized multi-axis cutting;
Active thermal control ensuring batch consistency;
Ultra-wear-resistant design enabling maintenance-free operation for 10+ years.
Their performance defines the precision ceiling of Swiss-type machining – truly "invisible champions" in precision transmission.