8 common types of precision CNC machining
CNC machining generally refers to the process of machining parts on CNC machine tools. A CNC machine tool is a machine tool controlled by a computer. CNC machining is a typical subtractive manufacturing method which uses CNC equipment to cut off the excess material layer on the workpiece into chips so that the workpiece can obtain the specified geometry, size and surface quality.
CNC machining is used in many medical, aerospace, industrial, oil extraction, robotics and other industries. Various materials can be CNC machined, including metal, plastic, glass, composites and wood.
The most prominent feature of CNC machining is stable machining quality, high machining accuracy and repeatability, and significantly shortened machining cycle time. Next, we will introduce 8 common types of precision CNC machining from the perspective of machining technology.
- CNC turning
The most prominent feature of CNC turning is the rotation of the workpiece, and the turning tool performs linear or curved cutting processing on the rotating workpiece in the plane. This process processes the inner and outer cylindrical surfaces, end surfaces, and conical surfaces, forming surfaces and threads of the workpiece.
The CNC turning process can process all materials and assemble corresponding turning tools or other cutting tools according to the material density. They are commonly used to machine shafts, discs, sleeves and different workpieces with surfaces of revolution.
- CNC milling
CNC milling refers to rotating multi-blade tools to cut workpieces and is a highly efficient machining method. When working, the device turns, the workpiece moves, and sometimes the workpiece is fixed, depending on the specific processing method of the part.
The application of CNC milling is pervasive. The 3-axis and 4-axis CNC milling equipment can process various planes, grooves, forming surfaces (such as splines, gears and threads) and unique shapes of molds. 5-axis CNC milling can process different surface parts, such as body parts with free-form surfaces, turbine parts and impellers.
- CNC deep drilling
The CNC deep hole drilling process is a deep hole machining process using water holes, thimble holes and pinholes. The maximum depth is 2000mm. It has the characteristics of being fast, precise and stable.
CNC deep drilling can be used to process parts such as engine blocks, fuel supply system parts, injection molds, aerospace landing frames, etc., and is a critical processing method.
- CNC grinding
This process is to machine the surface of the workpiece with abrasive tools such as high-speed rotating grinding wheels. CNC grinding can process the inner and outer cylindrical surfaces, conical surfaces and flat surfaces of various workpieces and unique and complex forming surfaces such as threads, gears, and splines.
CNC grinding can process a variety of materials, including hardened steel, high-strength alloy steel, carbide, glass, ceramics, marble and other high-hardness metals and non-metals. CNC grinding belongs to finishing (machining is divided into roughing, finishing, heat treatment and other processing methods). Its main function is to change the surface roughness of parts or improve the accuracy of details.
- CNC laser cutting
The metal laser cutting process uses a metal layer with a xenon lamp as the excitation source to transmit a laser beam with energy density and focus on the surface of the workpiece so that the spot irradiates the area on the workpiece instantly melted and vaporized. A computer-controlled numerical control mechanical system moves the site. The position of irradiation achieves automatic cutting.
This process can cut metal, various non-metallic plates and pipes. Especially suitable for cutting stainless steel plates, iron plates, aluminium materials, ceramic sheets, silicon wafers, diamonds, etc.
- CNC plasma cutting
The CNC plasma arc cutting process is a processing method that uses the heat of the high-temperature plasma arc to partially melt (and evaporate) the metal part at the incision of the workpiece and uses the momentum of the high-speed plasma to remove the molten metal to form the incision.
Plasma cutting under water can eliminate noise, dust, harmful gas and arc light pollution during cutting. When CNC plasma cutting is used, the material to be cut must be conductive. Typical materials are steel, stainless steel, aluminium, brass and copper.
- CNC Stamping
CNC stamping process belongs to the sheet metal process. This process can be used for the processing of various metal sheet parts. It can automatically complete a variety of complex hole patterns, and shallow drawing forming processing at one time and automatically process holes of different sizes and hole spacings according to requirements. Small stamping dies can also process round holes, square holes, waist-shaped holes and curved contours of various shapes.
Compared with traditional stamping, the CNC stamping process saves a lot of costs. It can process small batch and diversified products in a short cycle and has an extensive processing range and processing capacity.
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