Knowledge Article

Mold Steel Selection Guide 2026

A mold steel selection guide connecting P20, 718H, NAK80, S136 and H13 to recommended HYR-CNC machining centers.

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Surface Finish

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Mold Manufacturing

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Tolerance +/-0.003 mm Spindle Speed Ra Value

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Best Machine for Different Mold Steels

Steel	Recommended Machine	Reason
P20	VMC850	Soft steel, easy machining
718H	VMC1060	Medium hardness, balanced performance
NAK80	VMC1165	Pre-hardened, requires high-speed spindle
S136	VMC1165	Hardened, needs precision finishing
H13	VMC1270	High hardness, demands heavy rigidity

Case Study: S136 Medical Mold Core

A S136 stainless steel medical mold core was machined on VMC1165 to +/-0.005 mm tolerance, with mirror polish for sterilization-compatible surface requirements.

VMC850 - Compact mold and precision parts machining VMC1060 - General-purpose mold manufacturing VMC1165 - Automotive and medical mold machining VMC1270 - Large mold and heavy cutting applications VMC1580 - High-rigidity machining for large workpieces

Related Case Studies

Mold Steel Types Comparison S136 Steel Properties for Mold Making H13 Heat Treatment Explained

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HMC400 Horizontal Machining Center

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Common questions about electronics CNC machining.

Which HYR-CNC machine is recommended for mold steel machining?

Machine selection depends on part size, material, tolerance, surface finish and production volume. VMC850 and VMC1060 suit compact and general machining, while VMC1165, VMC1270 and VMC1580 are better for high precision, large molds and heavy cutting.

How can buyers confirm the right CNC machine configuration?

Buyers should provide drawings, material, tolerance, surface finish, annual quantity and fixture requirements. HYR-CNC can then recommend travel size, spindle, controller, tool magazine and inspection options.