Metal Cutting: Everything You Need To Know

In the metalworking process, metal cutting is a central part of raw material processing. It is an interplay between science and art, with precision, skill and technical knowledge at its core. In this blog, we explore the process of metal cutting, its techniques, the tools used and the necessary safety measures involved.

Tools for Metal Cutting

The tools used in metal cutting are as varied as the techniques themselves. Common tools include:

• Lathe: This machine is used in the turning technique.
• Milling Machine: It is used for milling to move the cutting tool along the workpiece.
• Drill Press: Used for drilling, this machine holds the workpiece stationary.
• Saw: This simple tool, typically used in manual sawing, features a hard, toothed blade.
• Plasma Cutter: This tool releases a jet of hot plasma for cutting.
• Laser Cutter: This machine uses a high-powered laser for precise and intricate cutting.
• Water Jet Cutter: This device releases a high-pressure water jet for cutting, especially for metals sensitive to heat.

Considerations for Metal Cutting

• Material Properties
  Different metals possess different properties—hardness, toughness, brittleness and heat resistance—which influence the appropriate cutting method.
• Cutting Tool Material
  The material of the cutting tool should be harder than the workpiece to successfully perform the cutting operation. High-speed steel, cemented carbides, ceramics and diamond are the common tool materials.
• Cutting Conditions
  Parameters such as cutting speed, feed rate and depth of cut need careful consideration as they directly affect the cutting process and the finish of the workpiece.

Metal Cutting Techniques

Metal cutting can be broadly categorised into two types: chip producing and burning.