CNC Turning SKD61 Tool Steel

CNC Turning SKD61 Tool Steel from VT machining delivers precision SKD61 Tool Steel parts made to your exact drawing. CNC turning rotates the workpiece against a single-point tool to produce cylindrical features, threads and grooves, with parameters tuned to SKD61 Tool Steel, which is wear-resistant and hardenable for tooling.

CNC Turning Capability for SKD61 Tool Steel

  • Air/oil/water-hardening grades
  • High wear resistance
  • Hardenable to 58–64 HRC
  • Tolerance to ±0.005 mm

SKD61 Tool Steel Material Data

SKD61 Tool Steel — typical properties, quoted for WC-Co (YG8 / K20)
Density14.5 g/cm³
Tensile strength2000–3500 (TRS) MPa
Yield strength (0.2%)
Hardness88–93 HRA / 1300–1800 HV
Melting point2870 (WC) °C
Thermal conductivity70–100 W/m·K
Thermal expansion5.0 ×10⁻⁶/K
Electrical conductivity10%
Machinability (C36000 = 100%)grind / EDM only
Grades we runYG6, YG8, YG15 (K10–K30), D2, H13, M2, SKD11

Published typical values for WC-Co (YG8 / K20). Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.

Machining SKD61 Tool Steel — what actually causes trouble

Everything is done by grinding, wire EDM or sinker EDM. Design in a small corner radius wherever possible — a true sharp internal corner doubles the EDM time.

Machining SKD61 Tool Steel with CNC Turning

SKD61 Tool Steel behaves predictably under CNC Turning once parameters are dialled in: machinability is machined in the annealed state, then hardened; carbide tooling preferred, and we tune the operation accordingly.

We hold reference parameters for this grade, so repeat orders of SKD61 Tool Steel run consistently from one batch to the next.

Achievable Tolerances for CNC Turning SKD61 Tool Steel

CNC Turning SKD61 Tool Steel — achievable tolerances
FeatureStandardPrecision
Outside diameter±0.05 mm±0.005 mm
Bore diameterH9H6
Length / shoulder position±0.10 mm±0.020 mm
Concentricity OD to ID0.05 mm TIR0.010 mm TIR
Roundness0.02 mm0.005 mm
Thread class6g / 2A4h / 3A
Surface finish, as turnedRa 1.6 µmRa 0.4 µm

Standard is what a normal quotation assumes. Precision is available on nominated features and is priced separately, because it needs extra setups, in-process gauging and CMM verification. Call out only the features that need it — blanket-tightening a drawing is the single most common reason a quote comes back expensive.

Secondary Operations & Finishing

Finished SKD61 Tool Steel parts can move straight into secondary operations under one roof. Typical add-ons are deburring, passivation, anodising, plating, blasting, polishing and laser marking. We coordinate the whole chain so you receive complete, inspection-ready parts.

CNC Turning Tolerances & Surface Finish

Turned SKD61 Tool Steel holds diameter tolerances to about ±0.005 mm with concentricity within 0.01 mm and good roundness. Turned finishes of Ra 0.4–0.8 µm are achievable with finishing passes and sharp tooling.

Final tolerances are governed by the material's behaviour, wall thickness and overall stiffness. We give honest DFM feedback if a callout would be costly or better achieved another way.

Why SKD61 Tool Steel?

SKD61 Tool Steel is chosen when a part needs what this grade offers — it is wear-resistant and hardenable for tooling. We confirm the grade and any temper or heat-treat condition with you before machining.

Design Tips for CNC Turning SKD61 Tool Steel

We are happy to suggest design tweaks that improve manufacturability. Consistent diameters, standard thread forms and avoiding extremely long, slender features help SKD61 Tool Steel turned parts stay concentric and economical. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.

CNC Turning Quality & Inspection

We control quality throughout the process, not just at the end. In-process checks plus final inspection — including CMM where specified — keep every SKD61 Tool Steel part to print. Inspection reports, material certificates and first-article documentation can be supplied on request.

Applications of CNC Turning SKD61 Tool Steel

Customers order CNC Turning SKD61 Tool Steel components for everything from instrumentation to structural and functional assemblies. Whether you need a single prototype or recurring production volume, the same process discipline applies.

How to Order CNC Turning SKD61 Tool Steel

Getting a quote is simple. Share your model, the material grade, your quantity and target tolerances. You receive a clear quotation with lead time and honest manufacturability feedback.

Finishing Options for SKD61 Tool Steel

Finishing options available with this material
FinishThickness / effectWhy it gets specified
Deburr / edge break0.05–0.3 mmAll parts unless the drawing says otherwise
Bead blastRa 1.6–3.2 µmUniform matt finish, hides tool marks
Laser markingPart number, lot code, data matrix
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No drawing yet? Build one in the browser.

Set the metal, dimensions and features, watch the 3D model update as you type, then switch to the 2D sheet to add dimensions and tolerances. Download it or send it straight to us with your RFQ.

Open the 3D + 2D Builder

What We Need to Quote CNC Turning SKD61 Tool Steel

  • GeometrySTEP or IGES for the 3D model, plus a PDF drawing if you have tolerance callouts. A dimensioned sketch is enough to start.
  • MaterialThe exact SKD61 Tool Steel grade and condition — temper, heat-treat state or hardness. If you are not sure, tell us the function and we will suggest one.
  • QuantityPrototype count and the expected annual volume. Both change how the part is made and therefore what it costs.
  • TolerancesWhich features are critical. Everything else runs to our standard tolerance, which is what keeps the price sensible.
  • FinishSurface treatment, cosmetic requirements, and any faces that must be masked.
  • DocumentsWhether you need a material certificate, dimensional report, FAIR or PPAP with the shipment.

Missing something from the list is not a problem — send what you have. We will come back with the specific questions rather than a generic form.

SKD61 Tool Steel in Other Processes

Related

Send the drawing, the SKD61 Tool Steel condition and the quantity — pricing and lead time come back the same or next business day.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What surface finish is achievable on SKD61 Tool Steel with CNC Turning?

Surface finish on SKD61 Tool Steel is controlled to your specification; we confirm the achievable Ra against your callout.

What tolerances can you hold for CNC Turning SKD61 Tool Steel?

Achievable tolerances for SKD61 Tool Steel turning depend on the alloy, geometry and feature size. Turning holds diameter tolerances to around ±0.005 mm with concentricity within 0.01 mm. Exact figures are confirmed against your drawing callouts.

How clean are the edges produced by CNC Turning on SKD61 Tool Steel?

Machined SKD61 Tool Steel edges are clean and to specification; edge-break or deburring is added when your drawing calls for it.

Does CNC Turning SKD61 Tool Steel require dedicated tooling?

Most SKD61 Tool Steel turning work uses standard cutting tools and CNC programs; dedicated fixtures are made only when geometry or volume requires them.

Can VT machining make custom SKD61 Tool Steel parts to my drawing?

Yes. SKD61 Tool Steel SKD61 Tool Steel turning is made to order from your CAD/2D drawing. Share your geometry, material grade, tolerance and quantity and we will confirm feasibility, lead time and pricing.