Tungsten-carbide tools (cutters, dies, etc.) are extremely hard and wear-resistant, yet they pose risks of mechanical injury, dust exposure, and other hazards. Strictly follow the rules below:

1. Mounting & Securing – Guarantee Zero Movement
• Check the fit between shank and collet; tighten to the specified torque with a torque wrench so the tool cannot loosen or be flung out at high speed.
• For carbide dies, verify that dowel pins and bolts are fully engaged to prevent shifting and fracture under load.

2. Wear Professional PPE – Create a Full Barrier
• Impact-rated goggles or a face shield are mandatory to stop flying fragments if the tool breaks.
• Long sleeves, cut-resistant gloves and anti-slip safety shoes keep skin away from razor-sharp edges.
• Whenever you grind or re-sharpen carbide, add an N95 (or higher) dust mask—chronic inhalation of tungsten-carbide dust can damage lungs.



3. Pre-Start Inspection – Remove Tool & Machine Hazards
• Illuminate the cutting edge and look for cracks or chips; any defect means immediate scrap—carbide is brittle and will disintegrate.
• Confirm that machine guards, emergency-stop buttons and interlocks work, and that the spindle runs without unusual noise.

4. Control Cutting Data – Prevent Overload Fracture
• Never exceed the speed, feed or depth of cut given in the tool catalogue; overheating and excessive force will snap the edge.
• When machining hard steels, increase the depth or feed in small steps—no single heavy cut that surpasses the carbide’s transverse-rupture strength.

5. Keep a Safe Distance – Stay Out of the Danger Zone
• Hands, arms, loose clothing and hair must remain clear of the rotating tool; never touch a spinning carbide edge.
• In team work, define who does what and keep by-standers away from an operating machine.

6. Handle Chips & Dust – Clean Up the Right Way
• Remove carbide chips or grinding dust with a magnetic sweeper or industrial vacuum; never blow with compressed air or pick up with bare fingers—chips are razor sharp.
• Store collected dust in a sealed, labelled “Hazardous Dust” container to stop environmental contamination.

7. Carry & Store Tools Gently – Avoid Impacts
• Use proper carriers or gloves; never carry long cutters or large dies by the cutting edge alone—dropping them can shatter the carbide and injure feet.
• Keep tools in dedicated racks or cabinets, edges up or protected with sleeves; do not pile steel tools on top of carbide ones.

8. Re-Grinding & Maintenance – Let Trained People Do It
• Re-sharpen only on a diamond or borazon wheel designed for carbide; ordinary aluminium-oxide wheels glaze, overheat and create ragged edges.
• After grinding, brush off all dust, inspect for burrs or micro-cracks, and approve the tool before it goes back into service.

9. Emergency Response – Act Fast When Things Go Wrong
• If a flying fragment cuts skin, flush with clean water, disinfect with iodine, and seek medical help—retained carbide slivers must be removed professionally.
• Should the tool chatter or emit an unusual noise, hit the emergency stop, wait for the spindle to coast down, then investigate; do not restart until the fault is fixed.