Types of Cutting Tools Used in CNC Machining (And When to Use Them)

The choice of cutting tool in CNC machining directly affects cycle time, surface finish, and tool life. With so many geometries and materials available, it’s important to choose the right tool for each application—especially in aluminium and zinc die-cast machining, where tool wear and chip control are critical.

Here’s a guide to common cutting tools and their uses:

1. End Mills (Flat, Ball, Bull-Nose)

• Flat End Mill: Ideal for roughing and finishing flat surfaces, slots, and pockets.

• Ball Nose End Mill: Perfect for 3D contours, curves, and fillet machining.

• Bull-Nose End Mill: A hybrid with a flat tip and rounded corners for better strength in finishing.

2. Drills and Center Drills

• Used for creating holes and starter points. In die-cast parts, pilot holes must be precisely placed to avoid distortion during tapping.

3. Taps and Thread Mills

• Taps are used for internal threading. Thread mills are ideal for high-precision, custom-size threads or when threading into hard material.

4. Face Mills

• Designed for removing material from large flat surfaces quickly. Commonly used in Op1 for squaring die-cast blocks.

5. Reamers

• Used to create high-accuracy, high-finish holes, especially when tolerance is tighter than ±0.01mm.

6. Form tools & special inserts

• Custom fabricated tool used to create high-accuracy holes, to meet concentricity and roundness requirements

• PCD inserts for ultra-long cutter life with associated programming optimisation

At LVIO Precision, we match tool geometry and coating to the material and feature being machined—whether it’s a shallow pocket on ADC12 or deep drilling in Zamak 3.

We use the right tool for the right geometry, optimized speeds and feeds, and efficient toolpaths to balance tool life and precision in every part we machine.