Titanium and nickel alloys are expensive, heat-sensitive and usually tied to controlled documentation. A cutter that works on a general steel job is not automatically suitable for an aerospace feature. The selection must connect the alloy condition, tool geometry, machine capability and inspection plan so the first article is both machinable and auditable.
Start with the part and the approval context
Identify the exact alloy and heat-treatment condition, not only “titanium” or “Inconel.” Record hardness or strength range, stock allowance, wall thickness, feature depth and the tolerance callouts on the drawing. Separate roughing, semi-finishing and finishing requirements. State whether the cut is continuous or interrupted and whether the part is a thin wall, a deep pocket or a complex five-axis surface.
Tool specification that can be checked
- Substrate and coating: request the grade and coating family, plus the recommended cutting-speed window for the stated alloy.
- Geometry: specify flute count, helix, corner radius, variable pitch, cutting length and maximum safe depth. A short, rigid cutter is usually easier to control than a long tool with unused reach.
- Interface: give spindle taper, holder or shrink-fit type, gauge length and runout target. A tool cannot be evaluated independently from its clamping system.
- Quality records: ask for diameter and runout inspection points, lot identification and the drawing revision used for the quotation.
Control heat, deflection and chip evacuation
Use the manufacturer’s chart as the starting point for cutting speed and chip load, then limit radial engagement and unsupported reach when possible. Make sure coolant reaches the cutting zone and that chips leave the pocket rather than recutting. Monitor spindle load and the machined surface after a controlled test distance. If the edge shows built-up material, thermal discoloration or uneven wear, document the condition before changing the entire recipe.
Make the RFQ traceable
An aerospace request should include the drawing or model, material certificate, hardness, tolerance, machine model, holder interface, coolant pressure or flow, expected quantity, required delivery date and any first-article or inspection requirement. BOFA’s technical RFQ captures these fields so the quote can be compared with the process, not just with a catalogue picture. For a series comparison, browse the five BOFA product families.
FAQ
Is the hardest coating always the best choice for titanium?
No. Coating choice balances heat resistance, edge strength, chip evacuation and the specific alloy. Ask for a series recommendation and validate it on the actual machine.
What makes an aerospace tooling quote auditable?
A model number, drawing revision, parameter basis, inspection requirement, material assumption and delivery condition make the quotation easier to review and repeat.
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