How Has CNC Turning and Milling Machining Changed The Manufacturing Industry?

by | Sep 11, 2020 | CNC Turning and Milling

CNC Turning and Milling

Whether your manufacturing company has been present in the market for a while or you are starting today, learning about technologies is a must to enhance business operations. CNC machines are revolutionizing technology and becoming more mainstream in a variety of industries. It increases the speed at which companies can manufacture the objects & making processes more efficient. Manufacturing industries are relying on CNC milling and CNC turning to create high-quality customized parts.

In this guide, we will talk in complete detail about CNC turning and milling machining. And how they helped the manufacturing industry. So, without further ado, let’s begin.

CNC Milling Machining

CNC milling is a machining process that employs computerized controls & multi-point tools. It removes material from the piece & can produce custom-machined parts. The process is suitable for machining various materials like plastic, metals & wood. In addition to it, the process also follows the production stages, which all CNC machining processes do:

  • Designing parts in CAD
  • Translating the CAD files into code for machining
  • Setting up the machinery
  • Producing the parts

CNC Milling Machine Components

Let’s see the critical components that comprise a CNC milling machine.

  • Machine interface: The machine interface refers to the machine component used by the operator to load, initiate, and execute the CNC machine program.
  • Column: The column provides the support and structure of all machine components. This component includes an attached base & includes internal components that aid the milling process.
  • Knee: It’s an adjustable machine component that is attached to the column & provides support to the saddle. The piece is flexible along the Z-axis depending on the specifications of the milling operation.
  • Saddle: The machine component is at the top of the knee, supporting the worktable. The piece moves parallel to the axis of the spindle which helps the worktable to get adjusted.
  • Worktable: It’s present at the top of the saddle & the work holding device gets fastened. The component is adjustable in the horizontal, vertical, or both directions depending on the type of machine employed.
  • Spindle: The spindle gets supported by the column that holds and runs the machine tool. Within the column, an electric motor helps the rotation of the spindle.
  • Ram: The ram refers to the component of the machine. Located on top of and affixed to the column that supports the spindle in vertical milling machines. This component is adjustable during the milling operation to accommodate the different positions.
  • Machine Tool: It refers to the component held by the spindle that performs the material removal operation.

CNC milling machines are of two types:

There are two types of CNC milling machines available – Vertical and Horizontal, the main difference being their spindle placement.

Horizontal milling machine

Horizontal milling machines derive their names from the tool’s positioning-their axis is horizontal. Horizontal mills are also suitable for the finishing process.

The horizontal mill design is pretty simple. The cutting tool mounts onto the arbour. When a tooling change is necessary, the arbour bracket and the spacers get removed to replace the devices.

Advantages of horizontal milling:

  • Ability to create complex parts
  • Can produce parts with fewer operations
  • Better surface finish

Vertical milling machine

Again, the name is itself explanatory. The positioning of the tool axis is vertical and is perfect for end milling. The vertical mill components are like that of a horizontal one. The head of the machine is to the end of a ram. The spindle gets fastened to the top for cutting tools.

Advantages of vertical milling:

  • Cheaper than horizontal milling
  • The machines are smaller, requiring less workspace
  • Easier to use as a vertical mill provides better visibility

How CNC Milling Changed the Manufacturing Industry?

CNC milling machines can make any desired part and get used for the production of automotive, industrial, machinery & other electrical components. CNC milling machines are precise and can reproduce many pieces with the same measurements and thickness. CNC machines can handle large-scale production. They are also scalable for a business that is growing. Furthermore, the process of milling gets done on work-pieces from a variety of materials as well as plastics & metals.

CNC Turning Machining

CNC turning is a subtractive machining process where a cutting tool gets placed against the spinning piece to take the material off. CNC lathe can do it and cuts the material as well as wood, plastic, and metal. Turning is done manually in the traditional form of the lathe & is done by using an automated lathe. The most common type of automation is CNC.

CNC Turning Components

Let’s check out the components that comprise a CNC turning machine.

  • Headstock: The headstock houses both the central spindle and the mechanisms for speed- and gear-change. A Morse taper is present in the central spindle end.
  • Bed: The lathe bed gets connected to the headstock such that the carriage and tailstock move in parallel with spindle access.
  • Feedscrews and Leadscrews: The feedscrew is a long driveshaft that is present in the apron to a series of gears to drive the carriage along the Z-axis. The leadscrew has the same function but moves the carriage along the X-axis circularly to the feedscrew.
  • Carriage: The carriage holds the cutting tool and moves it to the workpiece longitudinally for turning operations. And perpendicularly for face operations.
  • Tailstock: The tailstock refers to the mount in the centre, which gets placed opposite the headstock. Unlike the headstock, the tailstock spindle which may include a taper for holding drill bits, centres, or other tooling, does not rotate.

How has CNC Turning Changed the Manufacturing Industry?

CNC turning gets used in most metal-cutting environments, whether the industry is automotive, aerospace, or agriculture. A component with a high degree of round parts.  And the type of gear gets machined on a turning machine. CNC turning offers many opportunities for businesses as well as increased production speed, improved production efficiency and safer industrial operations.

Conclusion

Both CNC turning and milling have their advantages. The primary difference is that in a turning operation, your machined part rotates. CNC turning is useful for cylindrical workpieces, used to reduce the diameter of the workpiece. 

Are you looking for precision machined parts? MDA is one of the largest CNC machine shops in Canada. We own capabilities to handle bulky parts and a range of other value-added services that makes us a single-source supplier for any project. Reach out today to discuss your requirements. 

Things you should know about Custom CNC Milling

by | May 21, 2018 | CNC Machining, CNC Turning and Milling, Custom Machine Shop

custom-cnc-milling

CNC milling is one of the most popular CNC machining processes. Milling incorporates the technical aspects of both drilling and cutting processes; CNC milling uses a rotating cylindrical cutting tool just like in drilling. But, unlike the single axis motion of the latter, the cutter and workpiece in a milling machine can move along three, four and even five axes allowing it to produce shapes, holes and slots with tight tolerances. In addition, the workpiece is often moved across the milling tool in different directions, unlike the single axis motion of a drill.

However, multi-axis functionality isn’t the only unique thing about Custom CNC milling. In this article, we will be exploring some of the major/minor facets of the machining type including main components, CNC mill types, advantages with CNC milling and more.

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CNC Milling Machine- Main Components

Custom CNC Milling

Let’s first familiarize ourselves with the critical components that comprise a CNC Milling machine.

1. Control panel: Control panel is the brain of a CNC milling machine. The machinist/controller feeds the G-code (required dimensions) using the keyboard which, in turn, instructs the axis motors to move the cutters and other components.

2. Table: The table is used to hold the workpiece stationary for the entirety of the milling process. The workpiece is fit to the metal/wooden/plastic table using T-slots and metal clamps.

3. Column: The columns run along the axis to give a backbone to the milling part.

4. Cutting tool: A cutting CNC machine tool is attached to the column. It moves across the axis to give the desired shape to the CNC machined parts.

5. Frame: As the name suggests, the frame gives sturdy support to the machine, providing them with maximum rigidity to withstand cutting forces. It is mainly built using cast iron.

6. Axes: The axes in a CNC milling machine allows cutting tool/workpiece to move around obtain the maximum possible precision.

7. Spindle: The spindle consists of a rotating assembly that holds the cutting tool and a motor that runs the entire workpiece.

8. Coolant supply tube: The coolant supply tubes are used to cool down the rapidly heating metal workpiece and to lubricate the cutting tool for smooth movement.

 

There are two types of CNC milling machines available with respect to its working- Vertical and Horizontal- with the major difference being in their spindle placement.

  • Vertical CNC Mills
    Vertical CNC milling machines have a vertical spindle axis. In this machine type, the cutters are placed vertically in the spindle and are able to make drilling or plunge cuts. Popular examples of Vertical CNC mills include Bed mills and Turret mills.
  • Horizontal CNC Mills
    In horizontal CNC milling machines, the cutters are placed horizontally on an arbor.


Here are a few features of a CNC Milling machine that makes it an ace in the CNC manufacturing industry.

1. Safety– Custom CNC Milling process is about 10x faster and safer than traditional milling machines’. With computer systems handling everything, there is minimal contact between the machines and the operators. The operator feeds in the codes and the machine is directed to produce custom machined parts with tight tolerances. The manual work is reduced by a multifold and the chances of human error is next to nothing.

2. Accuracy – CNC milling machines are notorious for producing guaranteed accuracy all thanks to its next-gen features and innovative working. Tight tolerances are no big deal with CNC milling machines.

3. Versatility – CNC milling machines are not limited to producing machined parts out of one material type. From metals to industrial plastics and alloys, almost every material type can be used with a CNC milling machine that too without compromising on the quality front.

4. Lower Overhead Costs – With a severely automated process in place with CNC milling machines, you save a huge chunk of machining and manufacturing costs which you can use in any other development facet.

Here at Machining Design Associated Ltd., we offer top of the line CNC milling services to businesses across all industry verticals. For more information, drop us an email at machiningdesign@mdaltd.ca or fill-up the form here.

 

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