CNC machining center (Computer Numerical Control, Computer Numerical Control machining center) is a highly automated metal machining equipment, which is widely used in aerospace, automotive manufacturing, precision instruments and other industries. In CNC machining centers, tool selection and management is critical, because different tools are suitable for different machining tasks, which directly affects the quality and efficiency of machining.

　　1. Classification of tools

　　There are a wide variety of tools used in CNC machining centers, which can be roughly divided into the following categories:

　　Flat-bottomed cutter (end milling cutter): Flat-bottomed cutter is mainly used for roughing and clearing corners, finishing side planes and horizontal surfaces. It has a main cutting edge around it and a secondary cutting edge at the bottom.

　　End Mills: End mills are used for machining tabs, grooves, etc. They are usually made of high speed steel.

　　Round Nose Cutter (Flat Bottom R Cutter): Round Nose Cutter has a radius transition, which can be used for roughing as well as finishing, and is suitable for machining flat and curved contours.

　　Spherical milling cutters: Spherical milling cutters are mainly used for finishing curved surfaces and are particularly suitable for machining complex three-dimensional shapes.

　　CORN MILLING CUTTERS WITH CARBIDE INSERTS: These cutters are commonly used for machining blank surfaces or roughing holes.

　　2. Tool identification

　　There are two main methods for tool identification in CNC machining centers:

　　Tool Holder Coding: There is a number coded on the tool holder of the tool magazine. Before loading the tool, it is necessary to reorganize the tool magazine to set up the tool, and after the setting is completed, the required tool can be called by the number on the tool holder.

　　Tool code: In some CNC machining centers, each tool itself with a code, when the tool is put into the tool magazine, the system can automatically identify and record the information of the tool, so that it is more convenient and quicker to call.

　　3. Tool parameters

　　Each tool has its own specific technical parameters, including but not limited to:

　　Diameter: This is a very important parameter when choosing a tool, different machining needs require different diameter tools.

　　Length: The total length of the tool as well as the length of the cutting section affects the machining process.

　　Material: The material of the tool determines its hardness, wear resistance and heat resistance, common ones are high speed steel, cemented carbide, etc.

　　Number of edges: multi-flute tools can improve machining efficiency and surface quality to a certain extent.

　　4. Reasonable selection of tools

　　In actual processing, it is very important to choose the right tool, the following are some basic principles:

　　Open roughing: a larger flat-bottomed cutter or end mill is usually used to improve the material removal rate.

　　Finishing: then a round nose cutter or a spherical milling cutter is preferred to obtain a good surface finish.

　　Special shape machining: for complex three-dimensional surfaces, specially designed tools, such as ball end mills, are required.

　　In short, in CNC machining centers, tool selection and management is a systematic engineering problem, which needs to be considered comprehensively according to the specific machining tasks, material properties, accuracy requirements and other factors. The right tool can not only improve machining efficiency, but also significantly improve product quality.