Selection Myths Views: 34

Cutting tool costs is not about buying cheap tools - it is about total cost. Practical methods: 1. Choose the right material: for stainless and alloy steel use cobalt HSS (HSS-E), not standard HSS. Cobalt costs 2x per unit but lasts 2-3x, lowering per-piece cost while cutting tool-change time and rework. 2. Use coated tools: TiAlN coating multiplies life 2-3x; it adds 20-30% cost but the life gain is bigger - lower total cost. 3. Optimize parameters: bad parameters accelerate wear. Follow the maker parameter table, test-cut the first piece for the best settings, write standard work instructions and have workers follow them. 4. Full cooling: tools last 20-30% longer with coolant than without. Use cutting fluid with full cooling and choose the right one. 5. Layer cutting: one deep pass increases cutting force and causes chipping and wear. Two or three passes cost an extra stroke but last longer, finish better and run more efficiently overall. 6. Short overhang: longer overhang means less rigidity, more vibration and faster wear. Keep the tool as short as possible without interference. 7. Replace tools in time: change when finish starts to drop - do not wait for complete wear (heavily worn tools need heavy regrinding with poor results, or chip out entirely). 8. Regrind and reuse: do not throw worn tools away - professional regrinding costs only 20-30% of a new tool, and each tool can be reground 3-5 times. 9. Tool management: sort storage against rust and collision; keep a ledger; set life standards with scheduled replacement; train workers on correct use. 10. Centralized purchasing: build long-term partnerships with good suppliers and buy in bulk for better pricing. Do not chase the lowest price - look at total cost and quality consistency. 11. Continuous improvement: review tool cost regularly to find improvement points; compare tools and parameters; encourage worker suggestions. Real case: a Dongguan enclosure factory cut total tool cost 55% with these methods, saving over 100,000 RMB a year. Remember: tool cost is not saved but managed - right tools, right parameters, scientific management, and costs come down. Lihao Technology offers free tool cost control consulting.