Different Types of Cutting Tools

 

According to the no of cutting edge the cutting tools broadly classified into (i) single point cutting tool (ii) Multi-point cutting tool

Single point cutting tool

Simplest form of cutting tool. This type of tools has only one cutting edge to remove excess material from the workpiece. They may be left/ right handed according to the side of cutting edge when viewing from the end point.
Example: tools used in lathes, planers, shapers and boring machines

Read: Single Point Cutting Tool Geometry

 

 

They have more than one cutting edge to remove excess material. It considered as a series of single point cutting edge on the periphery and during operation each cutting edge independently cut the workpiece.
Example: Milling cutters, grinding wheels, drills, reamer, broaches

According to the construction of cutting tool
Solid type tools: Ground type and forged tools

Tipped type tools: Tipped type and insert type

Carbide Tipped Tool

 

Ground type - Cutting edge is formed by grinding the end of tools.

Forged type – Rough forging is used before hardening and grinding to form a cutting edge.

Tipped type – High-grade material tools are usually provided by this method. The cutting edge is formed in the form of the small tip, which is brazed to the shank of lower grade material.

Insert or bit type - A tool bit of high-grade material is formed in the form of polygonal shape, and then it is mechanically held by the cutting tool holder. Inserts cannot reshape, so it is discarded when all cutting edges wear out. Then new bits are inserted into the tool holder.

According to the type of motion of tools
Linear motion: lathe tools

 
Rotary motion: grinding wheels, milling cutters
Other (both linear and rotary motion): drills

According to the quality of machining operation
Roughing tools: For removing a large amount of material in the form of a thick layer of chips.

Surface Finishing tools: Metal removal in the form of a small section of the chip with high cutting speed to achieve good finishing.

To know various material used in cutting tools and their classification click here