Custom Precision Tool Steel CNC Milled Parts
Overview
XCM CNC provides tool steel CNC milling for injection mold cores, cavity inserts, stamping die inserts and fixture locating blocks. Cavity depth, internal corners, mounting faces and locating-hole patterns determine whether inserts fit into a mold and maintain accurate positioning. Grinding, EDM or wire EDM can be added where needed to achieve final dimensions. SKD11 and DC53 are commonly used for wear inserts, while S136 is often used for cavities requiring polishing. Drawings and material certificates define the exact grade, heat treatment condition and dimensional requirements. The MOQ is 1 piece, with typical lead times of 10-15 days. Quotes can be based on drawings or samples.
Key Capabilities
- Materials: SKD11, DC53, S136; exact grade and delivery condition per drawing
- Tolerance: +/-0.003 mm (+/-0.00012 inch), IT5 or IT6 accuracy, +/-0.01 mm shaft/bore fits; h6/H7 available
- Surface Finish: Ra 1.6 um on finish-milled surfaces; tool-mark direction and material condition apply
- GD&T: Hole-pattern position 0.015 mm, subject to hole size, spacing, quantity, datum and inspection method; flatness 0.02 mm within a 1030 x 1030 mm machined area
- Max Size: 3-axis machine travel 3000 x 1600 x 1400 mm; parts up to about 2600 mm long, depending on fixturing and setup
- Heat Treatment: Hardness and heat-treated condition per drawing; post-hardening finishing by grinding, EDM or wire EDM where required
- Thread: Internal threads from M1.4, external from M2.0; go/no-go gauge inspection; feasibility in hardened material by drawing review
- Precision Limit: Cavity depth-to-width ratio 4:1; up to 5:1 with extended tools, subject to reach, vibration and finish. Tool corner R0.5 mm; reference R1.0 mm at 40 mm cavity depth; sharp corners for EDM review.
Tool Steel Cavity Milling and Cutter Reach
Tool steel cavity milling is planned according to depth, internal corner radii and tool access, with a cavity depth-to-width ratio of 4:1 as a normal planning reference. Extended tools can support ratios up to 5:1, but longer tool extension requires vibration risk and surface quality to be evaluated together.
Tool Steel Internal Corner and EDM Finishing
The minimum internal corner radius for end milling is R0.5 mm. R1.0 mm is a reference for cavities 40 mm deep. Sharper corners specified on the drawing require EDM or a design adjustment. Milling alone cannot produce perfectly sharp internal corners.
Tool Steel Insert Faces and Hole Patterns
Mounting faces and locating-hole patterns determine an insert’s position in the mold base. Hole-pattern position capability is 0.015 mm, and mounting-face flatness is 0.02 mm over machined areas up to 1030 x 1030 mm, depending on hole diameter, spacing, count, datums and inspection method. Hardening changes dimensions, requiring finishing allowance. Grinding, EDM or wire EDM can complete final dimensions on critical mating surfaces, with the route evaluated against the drawing.
Tool Steel Cavity Surface and Material Condition
Finish-milled roughness is Ra 1.6 um, with tool-mark direction and material condition affecting the actual surface. Identify mirror, bright or matte requirements for cavity faces requiring polishing, together with grade and heat treatment condition.
Specifications
| Product Name | Custom Precision Tool Steel CNC Milled Parts |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | XCM CNC |
| Factory Location | Shenzhen, Guangdong, China |
| Quality System | ISO 9001, ISO 13485, IATF 16949, GJB9001C |
| Machining Process | CNC milling; EDM, grinding or wire EDM as specified |
| Material | Tool Steel |
| Material Grade | SKD11 or DC53 for cold-work wear inserts; S136 for specified polished cavity applications; exact standard and condition per drawing |
| Surface Roughness | Ra 1.6 um on finish-milled surfaces; tool-mark direction and material condition apply |
| Surface Treatment | As-milled or finish-milled; mirror, bright or matte polishing standard per drawing |
| Application | Mold core and cavity inserts, die inserts, punch holder blocks, connector mold inserts, guide rail inserts and fixture locating blocks |
| Key Features | Cavity depth-to-width ratio and internal corners; insert mounting faces and locating-hole patterns |
| Critical QC Requirements | Cavity dimensions, mounting faces and hole-pattern position checked to drawing datums; inspection method and report format defined on order |
| MOQ | 1 Piece |
| Typical Lead Time | 10-15 business days after drawing review |
| Drawing Formats | STEP, IGS, DWG, PDF, X_T |
| Heat Treatment | Hardness and heat-treated condition per drawing; post-hardening finishing by grinding, EDM or wire EDM where required |
Applications
Core and Cavity Inserts for Injection Molds
A core insert and cavity insert directly contact plastic during repeated molding, with tool steel providing a wear-resistant mold-surface substrate. Milling produces deep cavities, steps, mounting faces and locating-hole patterns. Depth-to-width ratio, tool extension and internal corner radii require geometry-based evaluation. Sharp corners can use EDM.
Inserts for Stamping and Forming Dies
A die insert forms the stamping profile, while a punch holder block uses mounting faces and holes to establish punch position. Milling suits slots, steps and hole patterns. These parts experience impact loading, so grade and heat treatment condition must be selected according to forming loads.
Mold Inserts for Electronic Connectors
A connector cavity insert and terminal stamping die insert are small parts that often contain local cavities, narrow slots and mounting holes. Milling establishes relationships between mold surfaces and mounting datums. Narrow-slot and small-hole feasibility depends on tool access, depth and material condition.
Wear Guide Rails and Locating Blocks for Automation
A guide rail insert provides a wear-resistant contact surface for sliding parts, while a fixture locating block defines workpiece position in a fixture. Milling produces faces, steps, slots and mounting holes. Mating drawings define contact-surface and post-heat-treatment dimensional requirements.
Why Choose Us
Quality Systems and Precision Milling Equipment
The factory holds ISO 9001, ISO 13485, IATF 16949 and GJB9001C certifications and uses equipment from DMG, Mazak, Matsuura and Brother to support machining and inspection of tool steel inserts.
Coordinated Milling and Secondary Operations
CNC milling produces cavities, mounting faces and hole patterns. Where internal corners or critical mating surfaces after heat treatment need finer finishing, EDM, wire EDM or grinding can be added. Size coverage extends from small connector inserts to large parts approximately 2600 mm long, with large-part fixturing evaluated individually.
Equipment Matched to Accuracy Requirements
Machines are selected from four equipment tiers from mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, and Europe and the United States according to part and operation accuracy requirements, balancing quality and cost. Precision cavities, mounting faces and hole patterns on mold inserts demand different processing from general external surfaces, making this matching appropriate.
Single-Part Orders and Sample Approval
The MOQ is 1 piece, suitable for replacement cores, cavity inserts or locating blocks. Prototypes take 3-7 days, and batch production follows sample approval.
Inspection Records for Cavities and Mounting Datums
Critical cavity dimensions, mounting faces and locating-hole patterns can be inspected relative to drawing datums. CMM or first-article reports can be supplied according to order requirements, providing dimensional records for mold assembly and subsequent replacements.
FAQ
What cavity depth and internal corner radius can I design for in tool steel?
A cavity depth-to-width ratio of 4:1 is a normal design reference, with extended tools supporting up to 5:1. Minimum milled internal radius is R0.5 mm, with R1.0 mm as a reference for cavities 40 mm deep. For deeper cavities or sharper corners, EDM or splitting the insert into more accessible geometry can be evaluated according to the drawing.
Which tool steel grade should I specify for a wear insert or a polished core?
SKD11 or DC53 can be considered for wear inserts, while S136 can be considered for cavities or cores requiring polishing. Specify the exact grade, standard and material condition on the drawing. Final suitability also depends on molding conditions and heat treatment requirements.
Should the cavity be milled before or after hardening?
This depends on grade and target hardness. Grades requiring hardening generally have main cavities milled first with allowance retained, followed by grinding, EDM or wire EDM to finish critical mating surfaces after heat treatment. Prehardened parts or parts requiring no further heat treatment can be evaluated for milling directly to finished dimensions. State whether acceptance dimensions apply before heat treatment or in the finished condition, and identify critical mating dimensions.
How are locating holes checked against the insert mounting face?
Mounting faces and locating-hole patterns are inspected relative to drawing datums. Hole-pattern position capability is 0.015 mm, depending on hole diameter, spacing, count and inspection method. State any CMM or first-article report requirements during inquiry, with report format determined by order requirements.
What is the smallest slot, hole or thread in a tool steel insert?
Established minimums are 0.2 mm drilled holes, 0.3 mm milled holes, 0.3 mm slot width and M1.4 internal threads. Actual feasibility in tool steel inserts depends on hole depth, slot depth, material hardness and tool life. Microfeatures in hardened material require drawing-based evaluation.
Can I order a single replacement insert, and what is the lead time?
Yes. The MOQ is 1 piece. Prototypes usually take 3-7 days and standard lead time is 10-15 days, depending on part complexity and quantity. Where heat treatment, grinding, EDM or other secondary operations are included, lead time depends on the process schedule. Production follows sample approval.
Is a 3D model enough to get a quote for a cavity insert?
A 3D model defines geometry, but quotation also needs tolerances, the exact grade and hardness condition, quantity and intended use, usually provided in a 2D drawing or dimensioned PDF. Accepted formats include STEP, IGES, STP, DWG and dimensioned PDF. Samples can be used when drawings are unavailable. An NDA can be signed as needed for confidential drawings.
Request a CNC Machining Quote from XCM CNC
Send us your drawings. Our team will review the file and reply with a machining quote. MOQ: 1 piece, with competitive low-cost pricing.
