No wonder so many people and industries rely on CNC machines to get better performance and efficiency from their manufacturing equipment. If you look at the performance metrics, CNC machines can cut, mill, and engrave a range of materials with much better results.
Consequently, anyone looking to save time and reduce wasted material should use them. However, precision cutting is all about the part of the CNC machine that makes direct contact with the material, and that means drill bits. Please read on to learn more.
Flute Bits
The shape of the bit inserted into the CNC machine’s rapidly rotating spindle determines how smooth and quickly the material can be cut. The part of the bit that cuts the material is called “teeth,” while the grooves between the teeth are called “flutes.”
The teeth tear into the material, while the flute helps to extract wood chips. These terms may be used interchangeably even though they’re different because drill bits have an equal number of both things. For example, a drill bit with four teeth also has four flutes.
However, the more teeth there are, the smaller each flute is, meaning that the bit can evacuate fewer wood chips. Getting this ratio right is key, and that means choosing the right bit for your specific project.
Other variables are at play, too, such as whether the bit is spiral or straight. Straight router bits are sturdier and stronger, so they can be used at higher speeds. However, they also result in a less smooth cut since there’s more contact at the surface. Spiral bits leave a smoother cut but don’t work at high speeds and can’t penetrate the material too deeply.
Choose the CNC router bits best suited to your purposes, and don’t hesitate to contact a reputable dealer of CNC equipment to confirm which bits are right for you.
Centre-Cutting Versus Non-Centre Cutting
The cutting edges of a centre-cutting router bit can penetrate all the way into the centre, cutting all the way into the material. In contrast, non-centre cutting bits leave a hole.
You can use a non-centre-cutting bit to get all the way down to the material’s bottom, but only if you drill a pilot hole first. The main advantage is that they’re cheaper.
The Importance of Size
Larger router bits are compatible with more materials, while smaller bits are better for details. The trade-off is strength for higher resolution and fine-tuning.
In other words, you may need router bits of all sizes but only for specific tasks. There are thousands of router bits, so the best thing you can do is speak to an expert to identify which types you need.
Given the number of router bits on the market, it’s impossible to cover them in detail here. It’s essential to state that for this high-precision equipment to work optimally, you need to pick the right type of machine and router bits. Once you’ve selected the proper gear, you won’t believe the results you can achieve.
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