Machining Troubleshooting

Category Problem Cause Remedy
Threading with Dies Poor finish (5/5) Bar end not chamfered Ensure bar end is chamfered
Reaming Rapid Tool Wear Insufficient stock to remove Increase the amount of stock to be removed
Threading with Dies Rapid wear (1/2) Incorrect/lack of lubricant Adjust conditions
Threading with taps Rapid wear (1/3) Wrong type of tap for application Use tap with lower rake angle and/or higher relief and/or longer chamfer. Use coated tool.
Threading with Dies Rapid wear (2/2) Speed too high Adjust conditions
Threading with taps Rapid wear (2/3) Lack of lubricant Use good lubrication in order to prevent built up edge and thermal stress on cutting edge.
Threading with taps Rapid wear (3/3) Tap speed too high Reduce cutting speed.
Counterboring and Countersinking Rough Finish (1/2) Dull cutting edge Resharpen to original tool geometry
Counterboring and Countersinking Rough Finish (2/2) Wrong feeds & speeds Increase speed - also try reducing feed
Milling Short Tool Life (1/3) Tough work material Select the suitable tool
Thread milling Short tool life (1/3) Wrong cutting data Reduce speed/feed
Counterboring and Countersinking Short Tool Life (1/5) Excessive cratering Increase speed or decrease feed
Milling Short Tool Life (2/3) Improper cutting angle and primary relief Change to correct cutting angle
Thread milling Short tool life (2/3) Instability Check tool holder
Counterboring and Countersinking Short Tool Life (2/5) Abrasive material Decrease speed and increase feed Increase coolant flow
Milling Short Tool Life (3/3) Cutter/workpiece friction Use coated tool
Thread milling Short tool life (3/3) Rapid wear Reduce speed
Counterboring and Countersinking Short Tool Life (3/5) Hard materials Reduce speed - rigidity very important
Counterboring and Countersinking Short Tool Life (4/5) Insuffi cient chip room Use larger diameter tool
Counterboring and Countersinking Short Tool Life (5/5) Delayed resharpening Prompt resharpening to original geometry will increase tool life
Drilling Spiral finish in hole (1/2) Insufficient feed Increase feed
Drilling Spiral finish in hole (2/2) Bad positional accuracy Use a spot drill before drilling
Drilling Splitting of the web (1/4) Feed too high Reduce feed to optimum rate
Drilling Splitting of the web (2/4) Insufficient initial clearance Regrind to correct specification
Drilling Splitting of the web (3/4) Excessive web thinning Regrind to correct specification
Drilling Splitting of the web (4/4) Heavy impact at point of drill Avoid impact at the point of drill. Take care with taper shank drills when inserting / ejecting them from a spindle
Reaming The tool clamps and breaks (1/6) Worn out tool Regrind to correct specification
Reaming The tool clamps and breaks (2/6) Back taper of the tool is too small Check and replace / modify the tool
Reaming The tool clamps and breaks (3/6) The width of the land is too wide Check and replace / modify the tool
Reaming The tool clamps and breaks (4/6) Workpiece material tend to squeeze Use an adjustable reamer to compensate for the displacement
Reaming The tool clamps and breaks (5/6) Pre-drilled hole is too small Decrease the amount of stock to be removed
Reaming The tool clamps and breaks (6/6) Heterogeneous material with hard inclusions Use solid carbide reamer
Threading with taps Undersize (1/5) Wrong type of tap for application Use spiral point for through hole or spiral flute for blind hole. Use coated tool to prevent built up edge. Use tap with higher rake angle
Threading with taps Undersize (2/5) Incorrect tolerance Choose a tap with higher tolerance, especially on material with low oversize tendency, such as cast iron, stainless steel
Threading with taps Undersize (3/5) Incorrect or lack of lubricant Use good lubrication in order ot prevent chip blockage inside the hole.
Threading with taps Undersize (4/5) Tap drill hole too small Increase drill diameter to the maximum value.
Threading with taps Undersize (5/5) Material closing in after tapping Adjust conditions
Reaming Undersize hole (1/5) Insufficient stock to remove Increase the amount of stock to be removed
Reaming Undersize hole (2/5) Too much heat generated while reaming. The hole widens and shrinks. Increase coolant flow
Reaming Undersize hole (3/5) The tool diameter is worn and is undersize Regrind to correct specification
Reaming Undersize hole (4/5) Too low feed or cutting speed Adjust cutting conditions
Reaming Undersize hole (5/5) Pre-drilled hole is too small Decrease the amount of stock to be removed
Milling Wear (1/5) Workpiece material too hard Choose correct tool with higher grade material and/or proper coating
Milling Wear (2/5) Improper feed and speed Adjust cutting conditions
Milling Wear (3/5) Poor chip evacuation Reposition coolant lines
Milling Wear (4/5) Conventional milling Climb milling
Milling Wear (5/5) Improper cutter helix Select the suitable tool
Milling Workpiece inaccuracy (1/5) Tool deflection Choose a shorter tool and/or place shank further up holder
Milling Workpiece inaccuracy (2/5) Insufficient number of flutes Use a tool with more flutes
Milling Workpiece inaccuracy (3/5) Loose/worn tool holder Repair or replace it

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