To get particular qualities, manufacturers subject machined components to various post-finishing procedures. One of these additional processing steps is knurling. By creating patterns like crests and troughs on machined parts, it provides appealing textured finishes for a variety of unique products.
In addition to discussing the many kinds and typical flaws in knurling procedures, this page defines knurling. Additionally, you will learn about knurling equipment and methods, including how to successfully knurl metal.
Knurling: What is it?
Using hand tools or a lathe, knurling is a finishing method that includes making patterned ridges on the surfaces of machined parts. By increasing surface friction, a knurled finish keeps the product or object from slipping in your hands. Additionally, it has a great aesthetic appeal that is frequently chosen over smooth surfaces.
Additionally, knurling is a common subtractive machining technique that uses pressure or scraping to provide a textured finish on a product. When pushed on cylindrical machined objects, knurling tools’ distinctive patterns frequently produce comparable patterns, such as diagonal or straight lines. Therefore, you may use a knurling tool with a specific design to produce a textured pattern on your items.
Knurling Technique Types
Product producers utilize a variety of knurling techniques to give workpieces the required patterns.
1. Knurling straight
Straight knurling creates grooves and straight lines on a workpiece’s surface. Typically, a knurling tool with two hardened wheels with diagonal teeth creates crossing parallel or diagonal lines. Additionally, a lot of sectors offer their goods straight knurling to give them a patterned texture that makes them easier to handle and grasp.
Straight Knurling’s Applications and Advantages
Decorative Uses
Straight knurls are ornamental designs that enhance a workpiece’s surface beauty. For cylindrical items like knobs and handles, it is ideal. It also has a fashionable appearance and can be used for items like jewelry, bespoke hardware, and expensive writing tools.
Better Grip Functionality or Anti-Slip Properties
Straight knurling improves grip for effortless item handling and manipulation by creating a roughened pattern on an object’s surface. By creating more friction between your hand and the workpiece, these knurling patterns help to avoid slipping. In situations when a strong grasp is essential, it is advantageous.
Positioning and Alignment
Sometimes, this knurling texture is used as a guide for component placement and alignment. The patterns serve as a visual cue to ensure that components are correctly aligned and adjusted. For machinery or systems that require exact alignment, such as optical instruments, measuring tools, or fine-tuning mechanisms, straight knurling is therefore perfect.
2. Knurling of Diamonds
Another popular kind is diamond knurling, which creates tiny diamond-shaped ridges or indentation patterns on the surface of a workpiece. It often consists of many diamond-shaped projections formed by crossed diagonal lines. However, knurling wheels with diamond-shaped teeth can be used to produce this finish.
Benefits and Applications of Diamond Knurling
Sturdiness
A workpiece’s durability and resistance to wear are increased by the diamond knurls. They frequently apply to tools, machine parts, or ornamental items that come into frequent touch with one another or have a lot of friction.
There is less chance of wear or injury since the diamond indentation or texture distributes the pressure and wears evenly. Because of this feature, this knurling pattern is perfect for applications that require a high level of endurance.
Use in Decoration
The indentation in the shape of a diamond is quite distinctive and ornamental. In order to create a sophisticated and appealing look, it creates intricate and eye-catching knurling patterns on machined elements like bicycle parts, lighter casings, or personal accessories.
Better Grip
By providing several points of contact between your hand and the workpiece, diamond knurling improves grip on hand-held tools. With this knurled finish, you can grasp and operate an object with ease since the diamond-shaped indentations improve traction.
3. Knurling that is helical
Making diagonal lines in a whorl or spiral pattern on an object’s surface is known as helical knurling. Similar to a screw thread, manufacturers usually apply this knurling pattern to cylindrical surfaces.
Benefits and Applications of Helical Knurling
Decorative Uses
Similar to other forms of knurling, helical knurling is ideal for ornamental applications. It may be used in conjunction with ornamental methods like polishing or plating to enhance the overall look of your product.
Improved Capabilities
The usefulness of cylindrical components like as handles, knobs, and shafts is improved by helical knurling. The machined portion may be rotated and operated with a solid grip thanks to the helical knurled finish.
Formation of Threads
It entails making threads for cylindrical objects that adhere to certain thread standards. Consequently, it lessens the requirement for further threading procedures, which makes it an economical and effective procedure for particular applications.
How to Get the Greatest Knurled Finish
Here are some useful pointers to help you get the greatest knurled finish on your items.
1. Get the workpiece ready carefully.
The quality of the planned knurling patterns may be hampered by irregularities, contaminations, or misalignments. Therefore, before starting the knurling process, make sure the workpiece is clean, securely fastened, and has the right dimensions.
2. Select the Proper Knurling Instrument
It’s important to select knurling tools that work with the material and designs you want. Various tooth shapes, pitches, and patterns are used in knurling tools. It is thus advised to choose the best tool for the hardness of the material and the desired surface quality.
3. Use lubricant
Throughout the process, make sure the workpiece and knurling equipment are supplied with the proper lubricant or cutting fluid. It creates a smooth, knurled finish by lowering heat generation, friction, and tool wear.
4. Ideal Cutting Velocity
While guaranteeing correct chip formation, knurling metal at the optimum speed minimizes tool wear. As a result, it is wise to base the choice of lathe cutting tool and speed on the knurled metal. Consult the machining guidelines or manufacturer’s instructions for a particular material.
5. Sufficient Tool Pressure
While insufficient pressure might result in a shallow pattern, excessive pressure can harm or distort the knurled workpiece. When knurling a workpiece, you need to apply the proper amount of pressure. However, make sure the knurling tool parameters and the material pressure match.