The cutting conditions of difficult-to-machine materials have always been set relatively low. With the improvement of tool performance, the emergence of high-speed and high-precision CNC machine tools, and the introduction of high-speed milling methods, the cutting of difficult-to-machine materials has now entered a period of high-speed machining and long tool life. Now, the use of small depth of cut to reduce the cutting edge load of the tool, so that the cutting speed and feed rate of the processing method can be increased, has become the best way to cut difficult-to-machine materials. Of course, the choice of tool materials and tool geometry to adapt to the unique properties of difficult-to-machine materials is also extremely important, and should strive to optimize the tool cutting trajectory.
For example, when drilling stainless steel and other materials, due to the low thermal conductivity of the material, it is necessary to prevent a large amount of cutting heat retained on the cutting edge, for which interrupted cutting should be used as far as possible to avoid frictional heating of the cutting edge and cutting surface, which will help extend the life of the tool and ensure the stability of cutting. When roughing difficult-to-machine materials with ball end mills, the shape of the tool and fixture should be well matched, which can improve the vibration accuracy and clamping rigidity of the cutting part of the tool, in order to ensure that the feed per tooth is increased to the maximum under high-speed rotary conditions, and also to extend the tool life.