Machining services with CNC machines include milling, turning, drilling, and more. In this article, we explain the scope of common types of CNC machining services.
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The term machining means using mechanical cutting technology to remove material through physical contact between the material and the tool. Computer Numerical Control Machining, or more commonly referred to as CNC machining, is the automation of the movement of machinery or factory tools. Pre-programmed software controls this automated movement. It is used to control a wide range of machinery like mills, grinders, lathes, routers, etc. CNC machining does not require multiple human interventions and it accomplishes three-dimensional cutting in just a single prompt.
The best CNC machining services use an array of machines that mill, turn, drill, or a combination of these techniques.
Milling uses a rotating tool to cut and remove chips from the workpiece through physical contact. This technology is used for different functions like threading, slotting, and chamfering. It enables the production of complex and intricate designs on a single milling center. The accuracy of CNC milling is unmatched with tolerances as strict as +/- 0.1 mm. There are various sub-types under this CNC machining service, like Face Milling, Form Milling, Gear Milling, Profile Milling, and Surface Milling. These subtypes mill laterally, axially, or a hybrid of the two. The milling process can be used on different metals (steel, aluminum & brass) and plastics (Nylon, POM, HDPE, ABS, Polycarbonate, etc.)
CNC turning, also known as CNC lathing, is used to create cylindrical parts like shafts or bushings. The metal part spins while the CNC controls the cutting tool to move axially along the side, as well as to and from. The material around the circumference of the metal is removed, producing the desired shape and diameter. Turning can be done using a fixed head CNC machine or a sliding head CNC machine. The latter is used to reduce the final price and production time.
This CNC machining service is mainly used to create cylindrical holes in a workpiece by using multi-point drill bits. Both perpendicular and angular hole drilling can be achieved using this method. While perpendicular drilling is simply inserting the rotating drill bit into the workpiece using a CNC machine, angular drilling can get a little more complicated. For angular drilling, the use of clamping devices and specialized machined configurations are required. Tapping, Reaming, and Countersinking are a few operations that can be performed using CNC Drilling.
A CNC Multi-Spindle machine has multiple spindles that are placed in a drum. This drum keeps changing its position, rotates horizontally, and completes many operations simultaneously. If not for the multiple spindles among which the work is divided, these operations would have to be carried out one after the other to complete the desired product. Now with every rotation of the drum, there is a part of the operation that is completed. Using multi-spindle CNC machining services or tools is more efficient and often more cost-effective than using multiple CNC machines.
Benefits of CNC Machining Services
Not only are there multiple types of CNC machining services that can cater to your different needs, but there is also a wide range of benefits from using CNC machining services like:
Greater accuracy and precision in cutting
Waste material reduction as a result of increased precision
Less manual intervention resulting in reduction of labor and operating costs
Consistency in the final product across huge volumes
Improved production times resulting in higher volumes
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CNC milling is computerized process manufacturers use in producing custom-designed components of high quality and precise finishing. A mounted cutting tool rotates around the stationary workpiece to add different features. It rotates along varying axes to machine highly complex designs.
The milling process is different from other manufacturing processes like 3D printing. It removes material from the substrate to form a part precisely per the product specification.
It also offers extraordinary accuracy, consistency, and the ability to improve production and maintain uniformity. Most CNC milling machines are sophisticated and can have 3 to five or more axes of independent motion which can help to produce more complex shapes.
As mentioned earlier, the CNC milling process is a subtractive manufacturing technique. It removes material from a raw substrate using different cutting tools till it forms the desired shape. The workpiece turns continuously to achieve precise cuts at different angles.
However, it would help to understand that the whole milling process takes a few steps before the workpiece is ready. Here are these steps:
The first step involves creating a CAD model blueprint suitable for your desired part geometry. You can make this CAD design/model using Computer-Aided Design software. It helps you to create 2-D or 3-D models for different product ideas.
The CAD model needs to be changed to a CNC program because the CNC milling machines cannot interpret a CAD model directly. However, converting the CAD model to the CNC program is straightforward. Most CAD software possesses this feature already; you have to follow the instructions closely to get the best results.
Ensure that the milling machines are appropriately set up and in the right conditions before initiating the program. It is important to note that the setup procedures for different CNC milling machines vary depending on their manufacturers and models. Therefore, endeavor to know about the maker and models before using the machine for your milling operation.
While the machine is correctly set up and ready, the machinist can execute the CNC machine program. The machine automatically performs the whole milling process that follows. Once the program is completed, the machine provides the preferred part with the correct specifications.
CNC milling machines are ideal for drilling operations, boring operations, and creating slots. These machines are broadly categorized into two parts:
The complexity and geometry of your parts often determine the type of CNC mill to use for the machining operations. The difference between these milling machines is the complexity of the movement that the cutting tool and the workpiece can undergo relative to each other. However, these milling machines are more efficient and productive based on the number of their axis. Heres a look at the difference between 3-, 4-, and 5-axis milling.
It is the simplest machining type where the workpiece remains fixed in a single position. The spindle moves in the X, Y, and Z straight directions. The 3-axis milling machines are commonly used for machining 2D and 2.5D geometry and can allow the machining all six sides of a part. However, each side requires new fixturing which could be costly. A single fixture setup can only machine one side of the part.
You can manufacture many complex and practical shapes with the help of 3-axis CNC mills, especially with a state-of-the-art CNC machining facility. Note that 3-axis machining is ideal for drillings & threaded holes in-line with an axis and producing planar milled profiles. Dovetail milling cutters and T-slot cutters are suitable for machining undercut features.
The features not attainable on the 3-axis milling machine include any features on an angle to the X-Y-Z coordinate system. However, know that there are certain physical features that the 3-axis machine cannot add. These features are sometimes more economical using the 4- or 5-axis machine.
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There are two different angled features that you can design for your parts. Nevertheless, understanding their differences is vital to designing parts for the CNC machining process. These are
It is important to note that 3-axis CNC milling machines cannot machine both angled and compound angle features.
You can machine 4 sides of parts in a single fixture setup using the 4-axis machine. A 4-axis milling machine has a different A-axis rotation along the X-axis. These 4-axis machines have a few other arrangements, although they are usually vertical milling operations, whereby the spindle rotates about the Z-axis. The milling spindle possesses 3-linear axes (X-Y-Z) and the A-axis, which occurs by rotating the workpiece. The workpiece is placed on the X-axis and can spin with the fixture on the A-axis.
4-axis machining is a more economical way of machining parts that are probably possible on the 3-axis machine. Using the 4-axis milling machines helps to prevent the cost of running two different fixtures in the 3-axis machining, which costs more. In addition, the 4-axis machining helps avoid fixture change-overs, ensuring tighter tolerances between features on different sides of the workpiece. It prevents loss of accuracy and high cost of production due to fixturing and re-setups.
Index and continuous 4-axis CNC machining are the two types of 4-axis machining.
In index 4-axis CNC machining, the A-axis rotates while the machine does not cut material from the workpiece. The machine resumes cutting once the correct rotation is selected and a brake is applied. While in continuous 4-axis machining, the milling machine cuts material at the same pace as the A-axis rotations. It allows the machining of complex arcs like the profile of helixes and cam lobes.
4-axis CNC machining offers the ability to create angled features that is not achievable in 3-axis milling machines. However, remember that 4-axis machines permit a single-axis rotation per fixture setup. All angled features must be turned at the same axes, or extra fixtures must be put in place.
Depending on the type of machine used, 5-axis CNC milling machines commonly use 2 of the 3 possible rotation axes. A CNC machine can rotate the A-axis and C-axis or the B-axis and C-axis. The rotation often occurs by the spindle or the workpiece. In addition, 5-axis machining offers product designers a much higher level of design flexibility, allowing them to develop highly complex 3D geometry.
The two major types of 5-axis CNC machines include fully continuous 5-axis machines and 3+2 machines.
However, it is essential to note that fully continuous 5-axis machining can rotate two rotation axes simultaneously while machining and moving the cutting tool linearly in the XYZ coordinates, which the 3+2 machining cannot.
There are several reasons why CNC milling technology is commonly considered a versatile and reliable way of machining parts for different applications using various CNC machining materials. Here are some of the notable advantages of CNC milling service:
CNC milling is an automated machining method which means there are no human limitations to the speed of the milling cutter. As a result, the method provides a high production rate unequaled by other manufacturing methods. This process is a capable and popular option for manufacturing parts in high volume with high-quality features.
CNC milling machines operate on autopilot and do not need much operator supervision. These machines only stop operations whenever there is a need to perform regular maintenance, or there has been an accident. These CNC mills can machine parts without interruptions. They can operate for days, continuously creating parts with exact precision.
The CNC milling uses computerized controls and a simple machine interface which offer excellent consistency irrespective of changes in the personnel managing the operation. Each part matches the previous version perfectly, a feature that is impossible in manual mills even if handled by experts. As long as there is a master file of the design, you can create endless copies that will possess the same quality and accuracy without errors.
CNC milling machine components have incredible capabilities for accurate and precision machining. As a result, they are common in the medical and aerospace industries due to their requirement for parts with high precision and tighter tolerances. CNC machining relies on using a digital template and autonomous machining, allowing it to prevent manufacturing errors. Thus, it can provide the highest accuracy that is close to the perfection that it does now.
The CNC milling process needs a few personnel to oversee the entire operation because it is automated. In addition, the procedure only needs a few skilled specialists to supervise the whole process, which improves the end clients cost-effectiveness. It helps to save time and reduce the labor involved in the production process. As a result, it helps reduce production costs while increasing efficiency to the highest level.
CNC milling is a very adaptable solution. It is a machining method that various industries of size can adopt. The process continues to evolve as the size of your workshop does. CNC milling machining is suitable for multiple parts regardless of their shapes and sizes.
CNC milling machines surpass the most skilled operators operating manual machines due to their advanced automation software and design software. It uses computer numerical control, which allows you to eliminate human errors and improve consistency and create complex designs with different shapes, sizes, and textures.
The CNC milling process is an efficient process suitable for machining many projects. Although there are several CNC milling companies worldwide, China tops the chart with its state-of-the-art facility and advanced CNC technology. These Chinese companies offer a wide range of custom machining services. Hence, it would help if you had a basic understanding of what your project needs before contacting a potential partner.
Outsourcing CNC milling service from China gives you a better chance at enhancing your production output; achieve uniformity, precision, and high-quality finish. However, to benefit from the numerous advantages of CNC milling services, you must find the right and most reliable China-based manufacturing partner for your projects.
CNC milling is one of the many beneficial contributions of modern technology to parts manufacturing. Its ability to increase production outputs and offer higher quality finishes and accuracy has made it a widely embraced production process across all fields. Also, the process is compatible with various materials, allowing you to use any CNC milling material of your choice for your project.
However, to get the best results, you need to work with a CNC milling company with powerful manufacturing capabilities. Contact AT-Machining today, and lets help bring your products to life!
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