Birçok imalat şirketi çeşitli makine süreçleri kullanır. Bu işlemler ham ve yarı ham malzemeleri ürünlere dönüştürür. CNC tornalama ve frezeleme popüler işleme yöntemleridir. Çoğu işleme süreci gibi bunlar da bir makineye ihtiyaç duyar.
In the past, workers carried out manual processes with a lot of effort. The rise of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) has greatly improved precision and repeatability.
The two processes might seem similar but have different end products. This article will help you understand the differences between CNC turning and milling. Stay tuned till the end.
What Are CNC Turning and CNC Milling?
CNC milling and turning are similar and often seen as the same. But there are distinct, significant differences. Their functionality differs from one processing machine to the other. CNC turning is the production of parts that is faster and more affordable than milling.
On the range of motion, CNC milling has limited cutting tools. CNC turning materials aren’t conserved. They help speed up production and allow for complex designs.
There are other differences between CNC milling and turning. They are the material used and the product produced. The two processes can be used as a complement to each other once the need arises.
CNC milling
Milling is a machining process. It uses rotary cutters to move a blade against a workpiece, removing material. There are various types of milling machines. CNC milling machines are one of them. The team chooses the milling machine based on the job at hand. Funding all milling machines at the workstation is tough. Capital is still the biggest challenge.
CNC milling has surpassed older machines like drum, C-frame, and simplex milling machines. This shift has happened because of advancements in technology.
Computerized CNC milling requires minimal human interaction. The programmers set the cutting tools to shape or trim material from flat surfaces. This method is faster than doing it manually. CNC milling is the best production machine.
CNC milling creates complex shapes and custom-designed parts. It offers the detail, precision, and smooth surface finish needed.
CNC milling has X, Y, and Z axes. These axes help cut in rotation while keeping the workpiece still. This outcome has a limited operation that slows production speed. It’s best for prototyping and smaller runs.
We can classify milling into two divisions: face and peripheral. Face milling involves cutting action at or near the cutting tool corners. While in the peripheral case, the cutting action is along the diameter of the cutting tools.
CNC turning
This is the most common lathe machining operation. The workpiece spins in the CNC turning machine. Meanwhile, the cutting tools move straight to shape cylindrical parts. The operator feeds the machine a chunk of material until it attains the desired shape. We call the process of taking away material to create a final product subtraction machining.
The machine can complete the work using one side if there is only one turret on the CNC turning center. But for faster production, some turning centers have a central spindle and sub-spindle. The main spindle first machines part of the workpiece. Then, other sub-spindles take over to finish the work on the other side.
Manufacturers use CNC turning for larger workpiece production. So, it’s common in extensive operations. It also takes the shortest time possible to complete the assigned tasks.
Production capabilities
CNC milling offers many production capabilities. These include a variety of processes, as shown below.
Chemical
Electrical
Mechanical
Thermal
CNC milling conserves materials, resulting in superior production. The machine increases its lifespan, reducing material cost. The end products include precision components and parts, short-run production, and prototype parts.
Operators use CNC turning lathes for tasks like these:
Boring
Drilling
Grooving
Facing
Parting
Knurling
Material fabrication
The difference between CNC turning and milling
Many might be wondering where the difference between CNC turning and milling exists. The key difference is what moves: the machine or the raw material. In CNC milling, the cutting tools rotate, and the material stays in place. With CNC turning, the material rotates to form the desired shape. The cutting tools stay in place.
You might take the explanation as simple words, but more exists than what meets the eye. By looking at their differences, we can find new ways these processes work, as shown below.
First, let’s begin with the tool’s features: CNC turning contains a single-point cutting tool. While in CNC milling, there are multiple points.
CNC milling produces both flat surfaces and surfaces with irregularities. CNC turning is mainly used for conical or cylindrical materials.
Cutting is a process that occurs without interruption. The tools stay in constant contact with the workpiece during CNC turning. In CNC milling, tools cut the material in a stop-and-start manner. They keep engaging and disengaging with the raw material.
Lastly, CNC milling produces discontinuous chips. Manufacturers create chips in three ways during CNC turning: intermittent, continuous, and fragmentation.
Let’s explore these machining processes more now that we know the differences.
Similarities between CNC turning and milling
Both processes are among the most computerized machining processes. We call the method for removing unwanted products from stock material subtraction manufacturing.
Their end products are chips. These can be discontinuous, continuous, or fragmented. It all depends on the method used. However, the tools, machining methods, and stock materials may differ per process.
The process uses the same Computer Numerical Control (CNC) technology. Engineers program this technology with Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software. This introduction has reduced human error. Now, there’s less supervision during operations. Manufacturers can deliver faster and more reliable consistent qualities.
Turning and milling have many qualities that allow them to complement each other. Then increasing the production of more materials with the best product.
CNC turning distinctions
The machine of CNC turning holds the round bar and rotates as the chuck moves around. The speed will vary regarding the device and material used and each component’s features.
Rotating bar stock will keep moving against the still cutting tool. This will shave off any unwanted material. During this process, various cutting tools will move in and around the stock bar. They will create the needed features.
CNC lathes offer different tooling types, outer diameter limits, and spindle options. The shapes are most likely round, with some hexagonal dimensions. All the spindle processes will join together to develop complete machine-needed features.
The cutting process and tool can lead to various sizes for each design during machining. CNC turning parts are faster and more efficient to make than CNC milling parts. They often have smaller quantities and quality.
CNC milling
In this machining process, the workpiece stays still. Meanwhile, the cutting tools spin with rapid and continuous motion. The spindle holds the cutting tool and rotates at high speed, removing the material.
Milling surfaces are flat or shaped on square or rectangular blocks. This milling process is mainly used for small quantities.
Overview of CNC turning vs. milling
Turning | Milling | |
Method | Workpiece rotated | Cutting tool rotated |
Results | cylindrical or conical | flat or sculptured |
Machine | Lathe | milling machine |
Tool | single point turning tool | multiple- point cutting tool |
Contact | during the operation, the cutting tool remains in contact with the workpiece | the cutting tool is intermittent during the operation |
Movement | cutting tool moves | workpiece moves |
Waste | produces fragmented, discontinuous, or continuous chips | produces discontinuous chips |
Small milled features can sometimes be obtained from a piece of turning equipment which depends on the material type, overall complexity, and part size.
The choice between milling and turning depends on the design and its features. Workers will always mill the larger, flat square areas. And will turn the cylindrical parts.
Industries using CNC milling and turning
Some industries enhance their machining processes. These include:
Woodworking
Electrical sector
Material fabrication
Electrical discharge machines (EDM)
Metal removal in automotive or manufacturing
There are other industries involved; hence the list is endless.
Sonuç
The machining processes have differences; hence it is right to make a better choice before taking on a task. Thank you for sticking till the end; a comment or a question can be left regarding the processes.