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.

Related Knowledge Area

CNC Basics Hub

Foundational CNC concepts for buyers, operators and engineering teams.

CNC Basics Hub Buying & Commercial Hub Products Case Studies Contact

Core Topic

Surface Finish

Related Processes

Mold Manufacturing

Technical References

Tolerance +/-0.003 mm Spindle Speed Ra Value

Useful Next Steps

Continue with related guides, products and cases.

Core Entity Surface Finish Sub Entity Mold Manufacturing Attribute Entity Tolerance +/-0.003 mm Attribute Entity Spindle Speed Attribute Entity Ra Value Intent Link Products Intent Link Case Studies Conversion Contact / RFQ

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

Products, guides and industry pages related to this topic.

Continue from this guide into suitable machines, application pages and technical references.

product · entity

HMC400 Horizontal Machining Center

FAQ

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.

Can HYR-CNC support case-based machine selection?

Yes. Case study pages connect real part applications with recommended machines, material challenges, tolerance targets and machining results.

Application Proof

Related knowledge hub and case study.

Use these links to compare the technical guide with real machining applications and manufacturing examples.

Hub

Mold Die Manufacturing Hub

More engineering resources connected to this manufacturing topic.

Case Study

Medical Mold Machining Case Study

Related machining proof connected to this article topic.

Products

GMC2016 Gantry Machining Center GMC2518 Gantry Machining Center GMC3020 Gantry Machining Center Gantry 5 Axis Machining Center

Industries

Automotive Aerospace Defense Manufacturing Mold & Die Electronics Medical Energy

FAQ & Cases

How Much CNC Machine Cost What Is ATC Mold Die Manufacturing Hub