Many industries rely on CNC machining to produce parts and prototypes. There are various types of CNC machining, and this article will concentrate on CNC turning and milling. These are the subtractive processes included in CNC machining.

These two processes may appear familiar to some machinists, but they are not. Customers are frequently perplexed about which method to use for their machining requirements. We hope that after reading this, you will determine which process is best for your manufacturing needs.

What do you mean by CNC milling?

CNC milling is a machining process used by owners to produce machined parts. They become accustomed to creating one-of-a-kind functional prototypes. CNC mills rotate the cutting tool using computer instructions. When the spinning tool comes into contact with the workpiece, the material gets removed in a controlled manner.

With the help of the vice, the workpiece remains stationary. To create cutting angles, multi-axis CNC mills rotate the workpiece. It allows machinists to easily create complex machined parts without the need to regenerate the workpiece. CNC milling gets preferred by machinists due to its shorter lead times.

CNC Milling comes with the following perks……..

Capability to Produce

CNC milling’s production capabilities are best suited for batch processes. In layman’s terms, CNC milling is a business that produces small batches of parts in a single run. A CNC milling machine’s additional production capabilities include a variety of operations such as

• Thermal
• Mechanical
• Chemical
• Electrical

Cutting Tools

Milling does not always require the use of explicit tooling. You can use a completely different set of milling cutting tools for each operation. This not only improves mills over lathes but also makes them more efficient in their work.

Furthermore, while a mill can produce complex-shaped tools, it is limited by lathes, which are commonly used in turning operations.

CNC milling gets used to make the following machined parts:

• CNC milling gets used for engine blocks and other pieces of equipment.
• CNC mills aid in producing surgical instruments, implants, and other medical devices.
• Straight and spiral gears for mechanical devices get made using CNC milling.

What is CNC turning?

CNC turning is excellent for producing conical, rounded, and cylindrical parts. Aside from CNC milling, it is one of the most popular CNC machining services. Lathes are machines that perform the CNC turning process.

A CNC turning machine, similar to a CNC lathe machine, can rotate the part using a stationary cutting tool. The cutting operation enables machinists to create designs that would not be possible with a traditional cutting tool. CNC turning assists in threading, tooling, and other processes by removing material in the same shape.

Here are some benefits that make CNC turning a better option

Production Rates

CNC turning is faster for Boring, Drilling, and Shaping jobs. This allows the industrialist to meet deadlines while also increasing production capacity on the fly. On the other hand, complex designs struggle and take much longer to complete.

Accuracy

CNC Turning is more precise and can finish operations with pinpoint accuracy. As a result, it is trusted with many critical parts with round surfaces, including rollers, bullets, gears, and drilling bits.

Adaptability

CNC turning is highly adaptable and can be linked with CNC milling to meet industrial needs. It can also make parts for other machines, such as bolts and nuts, torques, and turbines. However, for this interconnection to be beneficial, backward compatibility and asymmetrical designs are required.

Examples of machined parts with CNC turning

• CNC turning gets used for rounded connective devices that are ball joints.
• CNC turning is also ideal for round turbine blades that are a fit for the energy industry.
• CNC turning can manufacture cylindrical and hollow parts. Therefore, it is easier to produce nozzles with CNC turning.

Difference between CNC milling vs CNC turning

There are visible differences between CNC milling and turning processes in the operational features and use of parts with complexities. Given below, I have explained the differences:

Function: In the milling process, the material gets removed when the tool rotates around the workpiece. In CNC turning, the tool works on the rotating workpiece.

Parts Manufactured: With the help of CNC milling, machine shop owners manufacture geometrically complex parts. CNC turning fabricates conical and cylindrical parts like ball bearings and tubes.

Cutting Process: The tool disengages from the workpiece in CNC milling. In CNC turning, the tool is in continuous contact with the tool piece.

The tool features: CNC mills use multi-point cutting tools such as end mills, and reamers. The tool has more than two cutting edges that engage with the workpiece for the fabrication. CNC turning processes use single-point cutting tools such as fly cutters to remove the material. In CNC turning, only one point of the tool will come in contact with the workpiece.

So, CNC Milling vs CNC Turning which would be the right one for you?

It will be easier to decide now that you know what each of these processes can and cannot do.

However, keep in mind that CNC Milling is generally considered the most recommended method for producing parts with complex shapes, while CNC Turning is equally good for simpler, round shapes. Nonetheless, you can use these two processes sequentially because there may be situations where both operation processes are required.

If you’re still unsure and don’t have a clear idea, hire professional machining services and let them make the decision for you.

Why work with Machine Design Associated?

Whether you need CNC turning, milling, or any other precision engineering service, you need a reliable supplier. The components you require must be of the highest quality and built to last.

We will never sacrifice quality and have stringent control practices to ensure that everything we produce meets even the stringent standards and specifications. This constant pursuit of quality has resulted in accreditations in recognition of our efforts.

We also guarantee a quick quote and can accommodate orders of all shapes and sizes – whatever you need, we can make it.

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.