CNC Milling vs. CNC Turning: Which is Better?
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Difference between CNC milling and CNC Turning
CNC milling and CNC turning are two different machining approaches that are used to create various parts and components. In the following section, we shall differentiate them based on operation, workpiece shape, and the axes of movement.
Comparing these two procedures, milling removes material from a stationary workpiece by use of a spinning multi-point cutting tool. Cutting tools move along many axes (often X, Y, and Z) to form complicated forms, grooves, and features on the workpiece. We use stationary cutting tools to remove material from the revolving workpiece during turning. Cutting tools move along two axes (often X and Z) to shape workpieces into cylindrical forms like shafts, pins, and rings.
When comparing workpiece shapes, milling is better suited for creating parts with complex geometries, including irregular shapes, contours, and cavities. Because it can process the external and internal features of the workpiece. However, turning is mainly used to produce cylindrical parts. It excels at creating symmetrical circular shapes such as axes, cylinders, and disks.
When comparing the axes of movement of these two machines, milling machines typically have three or more axes of motion, which allow the cutting tool to move along the X, Y, and Z axes. These axes enable the creation of complex three-dimensional shapes. In contrast, turning machines usually have two axes of movement, typically the X and Z axes. The cutting tool moves along these axes to shape the rotating workpiece.
CNC milling, also known as computer numerical control milling, is a machining method that removes material from a workpiece using computerized controls and spinning multi-point cutting tools. It is a very adaptive and precise method that is employed in a range of industries, such as manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and engineering.
A computer program is used in CNC milling to control the movement of the milling machine and cutting tools. The program defines the tool routes and the cutting parameters, including speed, feed rate, and depth of cut. Following these directions, the milling machine accurately removes material from the workpiece.
Milling entails rotating the cutting tool, which is often a cylindrical device with numerous cutting edges. As the tool spins, it contacts with the workpiece, cutting and removing material to achieve the desired form. The cutting tool may move along many axes, including the X, Y, and Z axes, enabling sophisticated and accurate machining processes.
Face milling, peripheral milling, slot milling, drilling, and contouring are among the operations that CNC milling machines may do. They can produce complicated forms, patterns, and features with great precision and repeatability. Depending on the cutting tools employed, the milling machine may work with a variety of materials, including metals, polymers, composites, and wood.
CNC milling has various advantages over manual milling, including the potential to boost production, improve precision, decrease human mistakes, and automate and repeat complicated machining operations. We frequently utilized it in manufacturing processes to generate high-dimensional accuracy and surface quality components, prototypes, molds, and parts.
CNC turning, also known as computer numerical control turning, is a machining process that uses computer control and rotation of a workpiece to remove material and create cylindrical parts. It is a typical method used in the manufacturing industry to produce precision components such as shafts, pins, fittings, and other cylindrical objects.
In CNC turning, we use a computer program to control the movement of the cutting tool and the rotation of the workpiece. This program can specify tool paths, cutting parameters, and desired dimensions of the finished part. The workpiece is then shaped according to these instructions by using a lathe.
The turning process then involves clamping the workpiece in a chuck or collet and holding it securely in place. The workpiece rotates at high speed while a single-point cutting tool (usually made of carbide or high-speed steel) is fed into the rotating workpiece to remove material. The cutting tool can move along multiple axes, including the X and Z axes, enabling different cutting operations such as facing, grooving, threading, and contouring.
Computer numerical control (CNC) controls the cutting tools, which allows precise control of tool motion and cutting parameters. Specifically, the CNC system interprets program instructions and adjusts tool position, feed rate, and cutting speed accordingly. As a result, this automation enables consistent and precise machining of workpieces.
CNC turning offers several advantages over traditional manual turning. It speeds up production, improves precision, and enables the production of complex geometries. Besides this, CNC lathes can process a variety of materials, including metals, plastics, and composites. Therefore the entire process is very efficient and can be easily programmed to produce multiple identical parts.
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CNC turning is a machining process that creates exact parts with cylindrical shapes, like shafts and sleeves.
During this process, the turning machine rotates the material against a cutting tool controlled via a computer program. The program enables high accuracy levels, making CNC capable of everything from very simple to highly intricate parts.
A CNC turning center is an advanced type of machine that operates with multiple axes and is capable of various cutting operations, including turning. It differs from traditional lathes and its spindle plays a crucial role in executing precise machining tasks, impacting overall performance and efficiency.
The design process is the first crucial step in creating functional parts for all types of CNC machining.
Link to Guangzhou Ruiyi Technology Co., Ltd.
This article gives you the best practices needed for designing parts for the CNC turning process. If you&#;re interested in designing for other technologies, check out:
Bar stock is the raw, purified material used in CNC turning. Its size and tolerance can often be advantageous when designing for screw-machine production.
Using the right CNC lathe machine parts is crucial for optimal performance and maintenance. These parts work together to enhance manufacturing precision and ensure the longevity of the machine.
The maximum diameter should be the bar stock&#;s diameter to conserve material and reduce machining for your part. Use standard sizes and shapes of bar stock whenever possible rather than special diameters and shapes. Easily accessible raw materials are available between 1 to 20 mm in increments of 1 mm and up to 5 mm for bigger sizes.
The raw material must be at least 0.4 mm bigger if tolerances are needed at the biggest diameter.
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You should specify standard, common sizes for holes, screw threads, slots, knurls, etc. Understanding lathe machine parts is crucial for effective operation and maintenance, ensuring that readily available tools and gauges can be used in production, instead of those that need to be specially made. We recommend checking out this tool guide to follow standard processes for turning machines.
Your should design parts to complete on cutoff from the bar material whenever possible. If you can&#;t avoid secondary operations, try to minimize them at least.
CNC turning machines are essential tools in the manufacturing process, effectively reducing the need for secondary operations by rotating material to remove excess material through cutting. Many features of the part &#; especially internal surfaces and screw threads &#; should be located on only one end of the part. This way, all machining can be performed before the cutoff.
As many features as possible, especially internal surfaces and screw threads, should be located on one end of the part.
While minor tool marks are often inevitable, avoiding defects like scratches or gouges is important. These affect not only the look of your part but also the mechanical properties.
CNC machines, with their precision and advanced features, play a crucial role in preventing such defects by ensuring accurate and smooth operations.
To prevent such defects, sidewalls of grooves and other surfaces perpendicular to the part&#;s axis should have a slight draft of 0.5° or more. This draft prevents tool marks from forming on the machined surface as the tool withdraws.
How to avoid tool marks
Standard tool slides in turning machines operate at right angles to the axis of the workpiece. An angular undercut, whether internal or external, is challenging to produce and should be avoided whenever possible.
While CNC turning relies on the rotation of the part itself, CNC milling involves the rotation of the cutting tool to create complex parts, making it particularly suitable for more intricate designs.
Annular grooves are easier to create on the part&#;s exterior surface than an internal recess. External grooves can be incorporated into form tools. Internal recesses require tools with both axial and transverse motion. If you have the choice, design parts to contain external grooves.
The CNC threading process cuts threads on the surface of parts. External threads should not terminate too close to a shoulder or larger diameter. There should be an area for thread relief or undercut whenever the diameter of the workpiece is less than the minor thread diameter. See the below image.
A burr is a rough edge or ridge to a machined part. Deburring is highly manual work that adds extra costs for each part. To avoid burrs, see the below images for some design recommendations for when screw threads intersect other surfaces.
Knurling creates patterns on round parts for functional or aesthetic purposes. A knurled area should be narrow, and the width should not exceed the diameter.
Knurling can&#;t produce an exact number of teeth, so define some points to guide the producer:
Sharp corners, whether internal and external, can cause weaknesses or require the costly fabrication of tools.
When a sharp corner is required, try to design it within specific limits that still fulfill the functional requirements of the part. These corners can be given a commercial corner break of 0.4 mm by 45°. An inside corner can be made &#;sharp&#; by providing an undercut at the corner. This eliminates the inevitable radius produced by a form at this intersection.
When a spherical end is required on a CNC turning machined part, it&#;s best to design the radius of the spherical end larger than the radius of the adjoining cylindrical portion.
Designing this way eliminates the need to blend two surfaces that might not be perfectly concentric because separate tools typically form them.
Slots and flats can be produced with a concave surface at the material&#;s end or bottom, with the curvature radius the same the milling cutter&#;s. The bottom or end can be flat by transverse feeding of the cutter. If the function of the part does not require a flat surface, allow a concave surface, which is easier to produce.
Impression markings can be made as part of the regular operations of CNC turning machine as via milling engraving. Other positions of milled engraving require secondary operations.
Your design should minimize unsupported, delicate small-diameter work whenever possible. Doing so reduces work deflection from the cutting tool. Keeping parts as short as possible helps. Short, thicker parts are easier to machine than long, thin parts, as the latter requires tailstock or steady-rest support.
The perfect design is a crucial step in the CNC turning process. The other important step is choosing the right place to turn your design into a finished part.
MakerVerse gives you a one-stop shop platform for advanced manufacturing technologies, including CNC machining and additive manufacturing. Simply upload your design, choose your manufacturing technology and material, and receive your quote instantly.
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