(1) Challenging workpiece materials. Including metal-substituting materials and difficult-to-machine alloy materials. Some of these materials are less than 1/4 the machinability of steel, and some can cost hundreds of dollars per pound.
(2) Increasingly complex workpiece geometry. For example, thin-walled workpieces and complex-shaped aerospace components.
(3) Large size workpieces. In particular, there is an increasing demand for turbines and various heavy machinery parts. The high cost per piece of these workpieces places high demands on carbide milling.
(4) Increasingly special quality and performance requirements. For example, the requirements for the fatigue strength of the surface of the machined parts.
