Online CNC Machining Service

Machined Metal and Plastic Prototypes & Production Parts in as Fast as 1 Day

Overview: How CNC machining works?

What Is CNC Machining

CNC is the abbreviation of “computer numerical control”, CNC machining is a kind of manufacturing process that instructs the operation of equipment and tools through programmed computer. This process can control various complicated machinery, such as CNC milling machine, CNC lathe, CNC laser machine, water jet machine, electric discharge machine (EDM), to complete the three-dimensional cutting task.

How CNC Machining Works

After activating the CNC system, the product file will be programmed into the software and assigned to the corresponding tools and machinery. These tools and machinery will perform the specified cutting tasks. The CNC machining process includes the following stages:
– Design CAD Model
– Convert CAD file to CNC program
– Prepare CNC machine and tools
– CNC Machining operations

Main Processes Of CNC Machining

– CNC Milling: Use a multi-point rotating tool to remove material from the workpiece. Basic mills consist of a 3-axis system (X, Y and Z), which is still one of the most popular and widely used machining processes. In 3-axis machining, the workpiece remains fixed, and the rotating tool cuts along the x, y, and z axes. Meanwhile, most newer mills can accommodate two additional axis, 4-axis CNC machining and 5-axis CNC machining have higher versatility, and they are often used in the production of high-precision parts.

– CNC Turning: Use a single-point cutting tools to remove material from the rotating workpiece. In CNC turning, the CNC machine, typically a lathe or turning machine, feeds the cutting tool in a linear motion along the surface of the rotating workpiece, removing material around the circumference until the desired diameter is achieved. Most CNC lathes consist of two axis, X and Z.

Features of CNC Machining

Advantages

Fast and Repeatable

Quick removal of large amounts of metal material, parts ready as fast as 1 day

Scalable Volume

CNC Machining has scalable volumes for production of 1-100,000 parts.

Accuracy

High-precision tolerances ranging from +/-0.005″ – 0.01″, depending on customer specs.

Custom Surface Finishes

Suitable for many different kinds of substrates, make your parts just the same as real products.

Wide Range of Materials

Choose from over 50 metal and plastic materials.

Cost Saving

Low investment in tooling and preparation costs, economical for parts with simple structure.

Drawbacks

Structure Limits

Interlocking and hollowed structure is difficult to be machined with CNC.

Scale Effect

The unit cost and lead time will not be reduced as much as injection molded parts.

CNC Machining Processes

3-axis CNC milling

CNC milling is a subtractive manufacturing process that uses 3-axis milling and 5-axis indexed

5-axis CNC machining

5-axis CNC machines can produce parts with complex geometries and increase productivity by minimizing the number of machine setups.

CNC Turning

CNC turning with live tooling combines both lathe and mill capabilities to machine parts with cylindrical features from metal rod stock.

CNC Common materials

Metal

Plastic

Our standard surface finishes

CNC orientation and form general tolerances

Unless we have agreed to other tolerances in your Quote, we will work to achieve and hold the tolerances noted below, which will vary per the primary manufacturing method you select. (eg.:Round hole 10mm, tolerance +0.01—0.03mm)

Part Length
Part Length

Size limitations for CNC machining

Item
Part size / dimension

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Product Designer

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Project Manager

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Mechanical Engineer