Things manufacturers must know about CNC precision turning

Computerized numerical control precision turning is a computerized numerical control process whereby manufacturers utilize a cutting instrument, a normally non-revolving part of the turning or lathe center, to eradicate material from a revolving rigid substance. This procedure lets manufacturers produce various sizes and shapes based on the turning operations. Computerized numerical control precision turning is easy, but high-quality computerized numerical control precision turning is a bit more complicated. Some questions might come to your mind. What is a turning or lathe center? What shapes can manufacturers produce by employing this production procedure? What do manufacturers need to do to make computerized numerical control turning successful? This blog tries to answer all these questions and inform you whether computerized numerical control precision turning is the correct production procedure for you.

 

Description of CNC precision turning

 

Computerized numerical control precision turning is the machining terminology that refers to a procedure whereby the workpiece is revolved. At the same time, a single-point cutting instrument eradicates substance to match the final component design. Thus, computerized numerical control precision turning refers to a computer-controlled industrial machining procedure that a machine carries out. This procedure can occur with the rotation axis in the vertical or horizontal orientation. The latter is mainly utilized for workpieces with a considerable radius than their length.

 

What shapes can computerized numerical control precision turning make?

 

Computerized numerical control precision turning is a beneficial machining procedure capable of manufacturing a wide variety of profiles depending on the turning procedure utilized. The functionality of turning and lathe centers permits straight turning, drilling, boring, threading, external grooving, taper turning, and knurling. Usually, lathes are limited to easier turning operations such as external grooving, boring, threading, and straight-turning operations. The tool turret on turning centers permits the turning center to perform all the lathe’s operations and more complicated operations like drilling of the rotation’s axis.

 

Computerized numerical control precision turning can manufacture various shapes with axial symmetry, such as disks, cylinders, cones, or a combination of these shapes. Some turning centers can even do polygonal turning, utilizing special revolving instruments to develop shapes such as hexagons along the rotation’s axis. Though the workpiece is usually the only thing revolving, the cutting instrument can also move. Tooling can move on one, two, or even up to five axes to manufacture precision shapes. Now, manufacturers can imagine all the shapes they can achieve by utilizing a block of plastic, wood, or metal.

 

Computerized numerical control precision turning is a popular production procedure, so it is easy to find some everyday products we utilize that are produced by employing this process. Even the gadget you are utilizing to read this blog has bolts, nuts, or screws manufactured by a computerized numerical control precision turning equipment, not to mention its uses as advanced as automotive or aerospace components. But how are these all produced? 

 

What do manufacturers need to do to manufacture a computerized numerical control turned component?

 

Though this is a complicated procedure, this blog has simplified it for you with only three simple ingredients: the design of the part, the cutting speed-to-feed proportion, and the raw substance.

 

The design of your part

 

The first measure is translating the manufacturer’s design into the computerized numerical control precision turning equipment language. You should not worry, as this blog is not discussing advanced programming. Probably, you have by now made some pictures of your design. That is great; you might be interested in electronically capturing those designs in software such as solid works or AutoCAD.

 

Once manufacturers have their electronic design, it is easy for them. They just need to convert their drawing saved as a computer-aided design file by default into an appropriate format, the computer-aided manufacturing file. Software instruments like SolidWorks and AutoCAD can export the picture with this format utilizing the export option.

 

Feed rate vs. cutting speed

 

In the computerized numerical control precision turning procedure, there are a couple of variables people should keep in mind. The first is the turning pace, the speed at which the workpiece rotates. The second is the feed speed at which the cutting instrument moves alongside the revolving workpiece. A professional should determine these values as inappropriate estimates would affect their results. With some substances, this can even result in an uneven finishing or irreversible damage to the workpiece. That said, every well-reputed CNC precision turning supplier usually utilizes a higher feed rate and lower turning speeds to roughen the shape. Then a high turning pace combined with a lower feed speed is utilized to develop a smooth finishing and components that fulfill the precise tolerated needs. 

 

Raw material

 

The raw substance is an essential ingredient. Doubtlessly, the substance utilized decides the qualities of the resulting component. The same part obtained from metal, plastic, or wood will vary in functionality and even the smoothness or roughness of the finished surface. The shape, weight, and size of the workpiece are also important as they impact the workpiece’s balance and the size of the turning center or lathe needed. An unbalanced workpiece would not develop precise final results.

 

Should you utilize computerized numerical control precision turning 

 

Computerized numerical control precision turning plays a crucial role in the production industry. If a manufacturer’s design is axially symmetric, this can be the proper production procedure to develop precision components, either in small batches or for mass production. However, if manufacturers think that their designed components are too huge, non-symmetrical, weighty, or have other complicated geometries, you might be interested in considering another production procedure like three-dimensional printing or computerized numerical control milling.