Custom Tools from Your Drawing
Custom Cutting Tools
When a standard catalog tool does not match the drawing, custom cutting tools can be submitted for technical feasibility review. MSU’s manufacturing customization scope covers four MSU-made product families: Carbide End Mills, Thread Mills, Holemaking Tools and Carbide Inserts.
For custom end mills and other custom carbide tools, send a drawing or sample, application details and commercial requirements. MSU assesses partner-supplied products separately with the relevant supplier.
Send the drawing or sample and request a feasibility review.
Request a Custom Tool ReviewDefine Your Requirement
Start with the application and the reason a standard product is not sufficient. Send a drawing or sample when available, plus the workpiece, operation, machine, target geometry, quantity and target date.
- Drawing or sample
- Drawing reference and revision, available technical file or sample details.
- Application
- Workpiece material, operation, machine, holder, overhang and coolant.
- Target geometry
- Diameter, overall length, cutting length or reach, flute count, end geometry, corner radius, chamfer and helix.
- Material and coating
- Substrate or material, coating and any edge-preparation requirement.
- Acceptance requirements
- Tolerances, inspection documents, measurement needs and applicable sample review.
- Commercial information
- Quantity, packaging, destination and target date.
Send your technical file in the format you have available. MSU will confirm how it can be reviewed and assess the geometry, material, coating and tolerances together before confirming manufacturability.
For an OEM or ODM inquiry, identify the product family and manufacturer. MSU custom manufacturing covers the four product families listed below. Special tools from other families are assessed separately for partner sourcing.
Prepare the drawing, application and quantity before selecting a standard or custom route.
Compare Standard and Custom RoutesMSU Custom Manufacturing Scope
Custom manufacturing review is available within four MSU-made product families. Begin with the relevant standard product route, then submit the drawing and application fields that differ from the catalog.
| MSU-manufactured family | Standard route | Typical custom review fields |
|---|---|---|
| Carbide End Mills | Carbide End Mills | Diameter, reach, flute count, end geometry, corner radius, helix, substrate and coating |
| Thread Mills | Thread Mills | Thread profile, pitch or form, diameter, reach, flute count, substrate and coating |
| Holemaking Tools | Holemaking Tools | Diameter, length, point or cutting geometry, coolant route, substrate and coating |
| Carbide Inserts | Carbide Inserts | Insert geometry, grade or substrate route, chipbreaker, corner details, tolerance and quantity |
Use the standard product pages to compare catalog options. Factory and Quality Control provide manufacturing and inspection information for these four MSU-made families. Cermet Inserts, Ceramic Cutting Tools, Toolholders, Carbide Rotary Burrs and PCD & CBN Tools can be assessed separately for partner sourcing and quotation.
Choose the relevant MSU product family before submitting the drawing.
View MSU Product FamiliesFeasibility Review Factors
Include the drawing, geometry, application, acceptance requirements and commercial information in your custom-tool inquiry.
Drawing control
Drawing or sample reference and revision.
Dimensions and interface
Diameter, length, reach, cutting length and shank or interface.
Cutting geometry
Flute count, end geometry, corner radius, chamfer and helix.
Tool construction
Substrate or material, coating and any edge-preparation requirement.
Application
Workpiece material, operation, machine, holder, overhang and coolant.
Acceptance and commercial
Quantity, tolerance, inspection documents, packaging and target date.
Project confirmation
The review distinguishes what can be quoted as a standard product, what needs a custom drawing and what must be sourced through a partner. Tolerance, performance, MOQ, sample cost and batch delivery are confirmed per project in the technical review and quotation. A dimension report can be provided for applicable projects.
Send the complete geometry and acceptance requirements for a project-specific feasibility decision.
Send Custom Tool ConditionsReview Process and Application Limits
A custom-tool request moves from drawing intake through technical review, sample discussion, inspection requirements and quotation according to the actual project.
- Drawing intake
- Technical review
- Sample discussion
- Measurement and inspection
- Quotation
Conditional timing
A typical custom sample may be targeted at about 10 days after the agreed payment and technical requirements are confirmed. Material, coating, complexity, review time and project conditions can change that timing, so it is a conditional planning reference rather than a guaranteed lead time.
Project-specific limits
MSU reviews customer technical files and samples to assess the geometry and prepare a quotation. Agree sample approval, tolerances, performance requirements, MOQ, sample charges and batch delivery for the project.
Review Ordering and Delivery for shared commercial information, and use Downloads to verify standard catalog routes.
Review the commercial route after technical feasibility and project conditions are confirmed.
Review Ordering and DeliveryStandard, Custom or Partner-Supplied
Choose the route by matching the current catalog, the required geometry and the actual manufacturing source.
Standard catalog route
Use a standard route when the current product catalog contains the required family, geometry, dimensions and ordering fields. Start with Downloads and the relevant product page, then include the complete code when known.
MSU custom route
Use the custom route when the drawing requires a non-standard dimension, reach, flute count, end geometry, corner detail, helix, substrate or coating. Submit the technical file and acceptance requirements for review. Custom manufacturing is limited to Carbide End Mills, Thread Mills, Holemaking Tools and Carbide Inserts.
Contact MSU about a custom tool reviewPartner-supplied sourcing route
MSU assesses customization of partner-supplied products with the relevant supplier. Confirm sourcing requirements, private-label requests and other commercial arrangements separately.
Select the catalog route for a match or send the drawing when the required geometry is outside the standard range.
Start a Custom Tool ReviewCustom Cutting Tools Questions
Which products can MSU manufacture as custom tools?
Carbide End Mills, Thread Mills, Holemaking Tools and Carbide Inserts are the four MSU-made product families in the custom manufacturing scope.
Can partner-supplied products be customized by MSU?
MSU assesses customization of partner-supplied products with the relevant supplier. Manufacturing and commercial terms are confirmed for the specific sourcing request.
What should I send first?
Send a drawing or sample, application, workpiece, target dimensions, quantity and target date. Include machine and holder conditions when they affect the geometry.
Which geometry fields can be reviewed?
Diameter, length, reach, flute count, end geometry, corner radius, chamfer, helix, substrate or material, coating and tolerances can be submitted for feasibility review.
Can MSU edit every drawing software format?
Send the technical file format you have available. MSU will confirm whether it can be reviewed directly or whether another format is needed.
How long does a custom sample take?
A typical sample may be targeted at about 10 days after agreed payment and technical requirements are confirmed. Material, coating, complexity and project review can affect the actual timing.
Are tolerances, MOQ and performance guaranteed?
No. They are reviewed and confirmed per project in the technical process and quotation. Applicable projects can include a dimension report.