Composites cutting tools
Carbon fiber, G10, and abrasive layups destroy carbide — the fibers grind edges away and the resin fails on heat. PCD tooling flips the economics: documented 25× tool life in CFRP drilling, and trim operations collapsed from three ops to one.
The challenges — and how we cut them
1Delamination and fuzz on every edge
Geometry does the work: PCD-tipped 135°/20° Single Shot drills put 4,000+ clean holes in CFRP wing spars where carbide competitors managed 160. Compression routers cut both skins toward the core so neither face lifts.
2Carbide tools that die in minutes
PCD runs 10–30× the life of carbide in abrasive layups; CVD diamond coating covers the sizes PCD tips can't. One CFRP skin-trim conversion saved $216,000 a year and quadrupled capacity.
3Mixed stacks — CFRP over aluminum or titanium
Stack drilling wants a geometry that handles both materials' failure modes; RobbJack application engineering specs these per stack. Send the layup through the special-tool quote.
The composites toolset
PCD
PCD Diamond-Tipped Tools
Drills, routers, and trim tools — 10–30× carbide life in abrasive layups.
ExploreCPCD
PCD Trim & Router Tools
Skin trimming from three operations to one — $216K/yr documented savings.
ExploreDCC
Diamond-Coated Carbide
Crystallume CVD diamond for the sizes and shapes PCD tips can't reach.
ExploreThe proof — documented results
- 25×
- tool life — PCD vs carbide drilling CFRP
- $548,290
- saved per year — wing-spar drilling
- 3 → 1
- operations — CFRP skin trimming
Composites machining questions
PCD or diamond-coated for carbon fiber?
PCD tips where the tool size allows — highest edge life, documented 25× carbide in CFRP drilling. CVD diamond-coated carbide covers small diameters and complex forms that can't carry a PCD tip. Both beat bare carbide by an order of magnitude in layups.
How do I stop delamination when drilling composites?
Geometry first: a 135°/20° double-angle PCD point shears fibers instead of pushing them. Back the exit face where you can, and keep feeds steady — a dull or dwelling tool is what lifts plies.
Can you build a tool for our specific stack-up?
Yes — mixed CFRP/metal stacks are a common special. Send the layup and hole spec through the special-tool quote and application engineering will spec the point geometry and diamond option.
From the machining lab & case files
Put it on your machine
Send us your toughest composites part. Application engineering will spec the tool and the numbers — or quote a special from your print.