How to improve the cutting of soft materials with Z1 cutters ?

How to improve the cutting of soft materials with Z1 cutters ?

The work of cutting soft materials such as plastics, aluminium and wood requires precision and high-performance tools. The Z1 cutters, developed by TIVOLY, offer innovative solutions to meet these requirements, offering versions with left and right propellers. This article explores the benefits and applications of Z1 milling cutters, demonstrating their usefulness in the application areas of aeronautical sheet metal, aluminum joinery, sign making and POS displays...

# Features of Z1 cutters 

Versatile design
Z1 cutters are designed for machining various materials such as plastics, aluminum, wood, and composites. They are available in several diameters (from 2 to 12 mm) and can be customized according to specific needs (from 1.5 to 16 mm, with different coatings and lengths).

Right and left propellers
The Z1 cutters are available in versions with right and left hand propellers, each with specific characteristics that make them suitable for different applications. The right-hand propeller version facilitates the evacuation of chips upwards, allowing for clean cutting without obstructions, which is particularly advantageous for soft materials such as plastic and wood. By draining the chips upwards, jams are prevented and a continuous and efficient cut is ensured. 

On the other hand, the version with a left-hand propeller is designed to prevent delamination and reduce vibrations during cutting. It pushes the chips down, ensuring a clean and precise finish. This feature is crucial for laminated or composite materials where the quality of the cutting surface is paramount. The left-hand helix minimizes the risk of layer delamination, ensuring better edge integrity and accuracy in complex cuts.

TIVOLY's Z1 cutters have a 20° helix angle, optimized to ensure efficient penetration and clean cutting in the material. This specific angle helps reduce resistance when cutting, improving the accuracy and quality of the finish. Thanks to this helix angle, Z1 cutters can make clean and precise cuts, minimizing warping and burrs, which is essential for applications requiring tight tolerances and a perfect finish. Whether drilling, grooving or contouring, the 20° helix angle of the Z1 cutters ensures optimal results on a wide range of materials, including plastics, aluminium and wood.

# What are their advantages?

Versatility 
 TIVOLY Z1 cutters are distinguished by their outstanding versatility and adaptability. They are compatible with 3-axis machining tables and 5-axis numerical controls, allowing for great flexibility in drilling, grooving and contouring operations. This compatibility makes them ideal for a variety of work environments, from small workshops to large industrial facilities. Thanks to their multifunctional design, Z1 cutters can be used for a wide range of materials, including plastics, non-ferrous metals such as aluminum and brass, and wood. This ability to work with a variety of materials streamlines production processes and reduces the need for multiple specialized tools, making it an economical and convenient choice for professionals. 

Polished flutes 
Z1 cutters feature polished flutes, a key feature that ensures efficient chip evacuation during machining. Polished flutes significantly reduce the chance of jamming, helping to maintain a smooth, continuous cut even in the most demanding conditions. This efficient chip evacuation not only improves the quality of the cut but also the life of the tool, reducing heat build-up and wear. Polished flutes are particularly advantageous when working on heat-sensitive materials, such as some plastics, where friction reduction is crucial to achieve a clean, burr-free finish. By ensuring optimal debris management, polished flutes also help minimize downtime for cleaning and maintenance, increasing productivity. 

A high-performance carbide 
Made of high-performance carbide, Z1 cutters offer exceptional durability and strength. Carbide is known for its robustness and its ability to maintain high performance even under conditions of intensive use. This high performance translates into increased tool life, reducing frequent replacement and maintenance requirements. Carbide cutters are able to maintain sharp cutting edges for longer, which is crucial for precise and repetitive operations. The wear resistance of carbide also allows Z1 cutters to withstand high machining speeds, increasing work efficiency and cut quality. By using high-performance carbide cutters, professionals can expect consistent, reliable results, while benefiting from a lower total cost of ownership due to the tool's exceptional durability. 

Multi-materials 
Z1 cutters are specifically designed to be multi-material tools, capable of efficiently machining plastics, non-ferrous metals such as aluminum and brass, as well as wood. This versatility is a major asset for professionals working on diverse projects, as it allows the use of a single type of tool for multiple types of materials, simplifying tool inventory management and reducing the costs associated with purchasing different specialized tools. Z1 cutters ensure optimal performance on every material thanks to their precise design and the use of high-quality materials. For example, when working on plastics, they ensure clean, burr-free cuts, while for aluminum, they allow efficient chip evacuation to avoid clogging. In wood, they provide clean and precise cuts, minimizing chipping and warping. This ability to adapt to different materials without compromising on cut quality makes Z1 cutters a go-to choice for professionals looking for efficiency and versatility. 

Quick decay as a combination tool 
One of the notable features of the Z1 cutters is their ability to be quickly developed into combination tools to make chamfers or plate edge radii. This flexibility allows the tool to be transformed according to the specific needs of each project, offering a tailor-made solution. The ability to easily switch between functions increases efficiency and productivity by reducing downtime related to tool changes. This ability to transform quickly is especially useful in production environments where job diversity is common. For example, after a cutting operation, the tool can be quickly adjusted to perform a chamfer, simplifying transitions between different stages of the manufacturing process. By offering an adaptable and multifunctional solution, Z1 cutters allow professionals to complete more complex projects with fewer tools, reducing costs and optimizing the use of available resources.

# Practical applications

TIVOLY Z1 cutters are indispensable in various industrial and DIY sectors due to their versatility and performance. In industry, they enable precise and efficient operations, which is crucial for the manufacture of mechanical parts and metal structural elements. Their ability to handle various materials, such as plastics, non-ferrous metals, and wood, makes them particularly useful for applications requiring tight tolerances and a perfect finish. 

One of the sectors where Z1 cutters are particularly advantageous is in POS  (Point of Sale Advertising) and signage. These areas require precise, crisp cutouts to produce visually appealing, high-quality displays. Z1 cutters, thanks to their ability to avoid delamination and reduce vibrations, guarantee impeccable finishes and clean edges, essential for the creation of attractive communication media. 

For POS and signage professionals, the use of Z1 cutters not only improves the quality of finished products, but also optimizes manufacturing processes. The Z1 cutters' chip evacuation efficiency and durability reduce downtime and maintenance costs, increasing productivity. In DIY, Z1 cutters make it possible to complete high-quality projects with professional precision. Whether you're making furniture, installing metal structures or creating works of art, these cutters offer unmatched performance. Their ability to drill, groove and contour various materials makes the work of DIYers much easier, allowing them to focus on the finish and detail of their creations. 

# Comparison with other cutters

TIVOLY's Z1 cutters stand out from conventional cutters thanks to their innovative design and superior performance. In contrast to conventional cutters, the Z1 cutters with their right and left hand helix allow direct and precise cutting without delamination or vibration. This innovation reduces labor time and tool wear, providing increased durability and reduced tooling costs in the long run. 

The high-performance carbide of the Z1 cutters ensures a much higher wear resistance than other cutters, even under heavy use conditions. Polished flutes optimize chip evacuation, improving cut quality and tool life. In comparison, competing cutters without these features often experience jams and faster wear, requiring frequent replacements. 

In terms of accuracy, their advanced design reduces the risk of deviation and inaccuracy, providing consistent and reliable results. This reliability is particularly important for demanding applications where drilling precision and quality are essential, such as in mechanical parts manufacturing, POS and signage. 

In summary, TIVOLY's Z1 cutters offer increased performance and durability compared to traditional cutters, thanks to their innovative design, wear resistance, and ability to ensure precise cuts without delamination or vibration. These advantages make it a superior choice for professionals looking to optimize their cutting process and achieve high-quality results.

TIVOLY's Z1 cutters represent a significant advance in the field of soft material cutting. Their unique design, versatility, and durability make them a go-to choice for anyone looking to improve the quality and efficiency of their cutting operations. Investing in TIVOLY's Z1 cutters is a wise decision to optimize your machining processes and achieve impeccable results.