Carbide blades are essential cutting tools widely used in CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machining for their superior hardness, wear resistance, and ability to handle high-speed cutting operations. These tools are designed to make precise, efficient cuts in various materials, offering enhanced durability and performance.
In this guide, we'll explore what carbide blades are, the different types available, how to identify them, and how to select the right blade for your needs.
1. What is a Carbide Blade?
A carbide blade, also known as a carbide cutting inserts, is a cutting tool made from cemented carbide, typically used in CNC machines like lathes, mills, and drills. They can be applied to cut, shape, and machine various materials, such as metals, plastics, and composites.
2.Types of Carbide Blades
Lathe carbide inserts are categorized based on their intended functions and machining operations. Each type is optimized for specific tasks to achieve the best cutting performance. Below are the common types of carbide blades:
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Turning Blades
Turning blades, or turning inserts, are used in lathe operations to perform external and internal turning, facing, and grooving on cylindrical workpieces. These blades typically feature a sharp edge and a positive or negative rake angle to improve chip flow and minimize cutting forces. They are ideal for cutting metals, especially for high-speed and high-precision turning operations.
Milling blades are used in CNC mills for operations like face milling, end milling, and slot milling. These blades are designed to remove material from a workpiece in a rotary motion.
Milling blades can be found in various forms, such as inserts for face mills, ball nose mills, and slab mills. The geometry of the blade is crucial for controlling the cutting force and achieving the desired surface finish.
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Threading Blades
Threading blades are designed specifically for cutting threads into a workpiece, either external or internal. These inserts are carefully designed with sharp edges and precise geometries to form the desired thread pitch and profile. Threading blades are used in turning operations where threading is required, and their geometry can vary based on the type of thread (e.g., ISO, NPT, Acme threads).
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Slotting Blades
Slotting lathe blades are used to cut narrow slots or grooves into the surface of a workpiece. These inserts typically have a narrow width and are ideal for cutting slots in areas where precision is critical. Slotting blades can be used on both vertical and horizontal milling machines and are commonly used in industries such as automotive and aerospace.
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Drilling Blades
Drilling carbide inserts lathe are used in drill bits for hole-making operations. These blades are designed to provide optimal performance in drilling applications, offering high cutting speeds and excellent chip evacuation. Carbide drilling blades are used in materials like stainless steel, titanium, and high-carbon steel, where traditional drill bits may wear out quickly.
Identify Carbide Blades
Carbide blades are often identified by a code that contains information about their shape, geometry, material, and function. This code can usually be found stamped or printed on the blade itself.
1.The first capital letter represents the blade shape
A – Parallelogram 85°; B – Parallelogram 82°;
C – Rhombus 80°; D – Rhombus 55°;
E – Rhombus 75°; H – Hexagon 120°;
K – Parallelogram 55°; L – 90° Rectangle;
M – Rhombus 86°; O – Octagon 135°;
P – Pentagon 108°; R – Round;
S – Square 90°; T – Triangle 60°;
V – Rhombus 35°; W – Triangle 80°.
Z – Other
2.The second letter represents the back angle of the main cutting edge, also known as the clearance angle.
This letter can be used to determine the positive and negative angles of the blade.
| Code | Angle（°） |
|---|---|
| A | 3° |
| B | 5° |
| C | 7° |
| D | 15° |
| E | 20° |
| F | 25° |
| G | 30° |
| N | 0° |
| P | 11° |
3.The third letter stands for tolerance and indicates the tolerance of the blade
the tolerances are the same for both metric and imperial and vary depending on the size of the blade.
4.The fourth letter represents the chip breaker and the clamping form
A - no chip groove, but with a hole;
B - one countersunk hole, one hole and no chip groove (70°-90°);
C - hole, ridge, two countersunk holes (70°-90°);
F - no hole, two chip grooves;
G - two rake faces with holes and chip grooves;
H - with one hole, countersunk hole (70°-90°) and chip grooves on the rake face;
J - with hole, two countersunk holes (70°-90°) and chip grooves on the rake face;
M - with one hole and one chip groove;
N - no hole or groove;
Q - hole and countersunk hole (40°-60°);
R - no hole on the rake face and chip grooves;
T - One rake face with a hole and a countersunk hole (40°-60°);
U – both rake faces are countersunk with chip grooves (40°-60°);
W – one hole and a countersunk hole (40°-60°);
5.The fifth letter represents the cutting edge length, which is the inscribed circle diameter of the blade.
Inch: 2-6.35mm, 3-9.525mm, 4-12.7mm , 5-15.875mm, 6-19.05mm, 8-25.4mm
6.The sixth letter represents the blade thickness
00——0.79mm , T0——0.99mm
01——1.59mm , T1——1.98mm
02——2.38mm , T2——2.58mm
03——3.18mm , T3——3.97mm
04——4.76mm , T4——4.96mm
05——5.56mm , T5——5.95mm
06——6.35mm , T6——6.75mm
07——7.94mm , 09——9.52mm
T9——9.72mm , 11——11.11mm
12——12.70mm
Inch: 2 — 3.18mm , 3 — 4.76mm , 4 — 6.35mm , 5 — 7.94mm , 6 — 9.52mm
7.The seventh digit indicates the radius or face.
The seventh digit indicates the radius or face.
The radius is in mm:
0 — no rounding ; 02 — 0.2 ; 04 — 0.4 ; 08 — 0.8 ;
12 — 1.2 ; 16 — 1.6 ; 20— 2.0 ; 24 — 2.4 ; 32 — 3.2。
Inch:0 — 0.2 ; 1 — 0.4 ; 2 — 0.8 ;
3 — 1.2 ; 4 — 1.6 ; 5 — 2.0 ; 6 —2.4.
8.The eighth letter represents the chip breaking geometry
How to Choose the Right Carbide Insert Lathe tools?
Selecting the right carbide lathe inserts for your machining operation is crucial for ensuring optimal performance and tool life. Here are the key factors to consider when choosing a carbide blade:
Material to be Machined
The first factor to consider is the material you’ll be cutting. Different materials have varying hardness levels, which require specific carbide grades. For example, harder materials like stainless steel or titanium may require inserts with higher wear resistance, while softer materials like aluminum may require inserts with tougher, more impact-resistant carbide grades.
Cutting Type
Consider the type of cutting operation you need to perform. For turning, you may need inserts designed for external or internal operations, while milling blades will need to be suited for face milling or end milling tasks. Always choose the blade that is designed specifically for the intended cutting action to ensure better results and longer tool life.
Cutting Conditions
The cutting speed, feed rate, and depth of cut are critical factors. High-speed operations require carbide blades with coatings that resist high temperatures and wear. If you’re performing heavy cuts with high feed rates, you might want to select blades with robust geometries that can handle the stress and heat.
Insert Geometry
The insert's geometry, including rake angles, cutting edge radii, and the shape of the blade, plays a significant role in the cutting performance. Inserts with positive rake angles typically produce smoother finishes, while inserts with negative rake angles may offer higher durability for rough cuts.
Tool Life and Cost
Carbide blades are more expensive than other tool materials, but their long lifespan can offset the initial cost. Consider the total cost of tool life, including factors like the number of parts you can machine before replacing the blade. The longer the tool life, the lower the per-part cost.
Why Choose Buy Carbide Blades?
Investing in carbide blades offers several advantages that make them a preferred choice for high-precision machining:
Cutting efficiency
Carbide blades allow for higher cutting speeds compared to other materials. Their sharpness and stability during cutting ensure that parts are produced with high precision, which is crucial in industries like aerospace, automotive, and medical device manufacturing.
Cutting effect
Carbide blades can achieve excellent surface finishes due to their stable cutting edges and wear resistance. This quality is particularly important in applications requiring smooth and detailed finishes.
Cost
While carbide blades may have a higher upfront cost compared to other tools, their extended tool life and the potential for higher productivity make them a more cost-effective option in the long run. You spend less time replacing tools and can achieve better part quality.
5.Conclusion
Carbide blades are an indispensable tool for CNC machining, offering unmatched hardness, durability, and precision. By understanding the different types of carbide blades, how to identify them, and the factors to consider when selecting the right one, you can significantly improve the efficiency and quality of your machining operations.
Investing in high-quality carbide blades will pay off through improved tool life, faster production times, and superior finishes, making them a wise investment for any machining professional.
