Today we will introduce several common machining methods.
CNC turning
CNC lathes are characterized by their ability to rotate (turn) material during machining operations. The lathe's cutting tool feeds in a linear motion along the rotating bar; this removes material around the circumference until the desired diameter and features are achieved. Using forming turning tools, rotating curved surfaces can also be processed during transverse feed. Turning can also process thread surfaces, end planes, eccentric shafts, etc.
The turning accuracy is generally IT11-IT6, and the surface roughness is 12.5-0.8μm. During fine turning, it can reach IT6-IT5, and the roughness can reach 0.4-0.1μm. The productivity of turning processing is high, the cutting process is relatively smooth, and the tools are relatively simple.
Scope of application: drilling center holes, drilling, reaming, tapping, cylindrical turning, boring, turning end faces, turning grooves, turning formed surfaces, turning taper surfaces, knurling, and thread turning.
CNC milling
CNC milling machines are able to rotate the cutting tool while keeping the workpiece/piece of material stationary. They can produce a variety of shapes, including face milling (shallow, flat surfaces and cavities in the workpiece) and perimeter milling (deep cavities such as grooves and threads). Milling is a method of using a rotating multi-edged tool (milling cutter) on a milling machine to process the workpiece. The main cutting motion is the rotation of the tool. According to whether the main movement speed direction during milling is the same as or opposite to the feed direction of the workpiece, it is divided into down milling and uphill milling.
CNC laser processing
Laser processing machines usually consist of lasers, power supplies, optical systems and mechanical systems. CNC laser machines have a pointed router with a highly focused laser beam that is used to precisely cut, slice, or engrave materials. The laser heats the material and causes it to melt or vaporize, creating cuts in the material. Typically, the material is in sheet form. The laser beam moves back and forth across the material to create precise cuts.
Scope of application: Diamond wire drawing dies, watch gem bearings, porous skins of divergent air-cooled punching sheets, small hole processing of engine injectors, aero-engine blades, etc., and cutting of various metal materials and non-metal materials.
Electrical discharge machining (EDM)
EDM utilizes the high temperature generated by the instantaneous spark discharge between the tool electrode and the workpiece electrode to erode the surface material of the workpiece to achieve machining. EDM is most commonly used to create precise micro holes, grooves, tapered or angled features, and a variety of other more complex features in components or workpieces. It is typically used to machine difficult shapes and sizes, often in very hard metals.
Scope of application:
Processing of hard, brittle, tough, soft and high-melting conductive materials;
Processing semiconductor materials and non-conductive materials;
Processing various types of holes, curved holes and micro holes;
Processing various three-dimensional curved surface cavities, such as the mold chambers of forging molds, die-casting molds, and plastic molds;
Used for cutting, cutting, surface strengthening, engraving, printing nameplates and markings, etc.
CNC plasma cutting machine
CNC plasma cutters are also used to cut materials. However, they do this using a high-power plasma (electron ionized gas) torch controlled by a computer. Functionally similar to handheld pneumatic guns used for welding (up to 5500 degrees Celsius), plasma guns can reach up to 27500 degrees Celsius. The plasma torch melts through the workpiece to create cuts in the material. Whenever CNC plasma is used for cutting, the material being cut must be electrically conductive. Typical materials are conductive metals such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass and copper.
