CNC machines encompass most machining tasks. CNC machining is a subtractive manufacturing process that uses computerized controls and machine tools to remove layers of material from a workpiece to produce a custom-designed part. Materials, including metals, plastics, wood, glass, foam, and composites, can all be machined. Read More…
Leading Manufacturers
Pacific West America, Inc.
Calabasas, CA | 866-317-0208Based out of California, Pacific West America, Inc. (PWA) is a metal fabrication company. We focus most of our efforts on swiss screw machining, stampings, and precision parts, and our electronics division makes products such as cable assemblies, connectors, circuit boards and membrane switches. We create our products using a variety of CNC controlled machines, processes and robotics. Such processes ensure that our products have all of the qualities our customers require, such as close tolerances, high durability, complex dimensions.
Valk Industries, Inc.
Greeneville, TN | 423-638-1284With nearly 40 years industry experience, we have what it takes to satisfy your every need. We are committed to our CNC machining quality, as our ISO 9001:2008 certification shows.
H & R Screw Machine Products, Inc.
Reed City, MI | 231-832-2356H & R is a custom manufacturer of high volume superior parts, providing CNC machining for tight tolerance and also lower volume applications too.
Detroit Edge Tool Co.
Detroit, MI | 313-366-4120Detroit Edge Tool Company is an industry-leading machine tool components manufacturer that offers CNC machining, drilling, and precision grinding. Detroit Edge Tool also manufactures linear motion components and has 135 years of experience. Industries served include machine tool, aerospace, steel mill, and automation industries.
Thuro Metal Products, Inc.
Brentwood, NY | 800-238-3929Thuro Metal Products is a CNC machining service provider. Our expertise is in the utilization of CNC controlled turning and milling machines as well as multi-spindle, single spindle, and Swiss screw machines.
CNC Machining Process
Computer Programming
Initial programming is essential for successful CNC manufacturing. The software must be programmed with the correct directives to keep the machine operating within its capabilities. The person who writes the instructions for CNC machinery determines the processes. The coded instructions are carefully created to prevent mistakes and lost manufacturing time.
CAD and CAM
The software used to design and create parts and components using a CNC machine is known as CAD-CAM. CAD software designs, sketches, produces, and shapes parts using geometric constructions and shapes. CAM converts CAD data into G-Code, a machine language from which parts may be manufactured. The CAM software chooses the cutting paths for the tools to remove extra material from the workpiece before translating the CAD-designed model into machine language. Together, CAD and CAM give the CNC machine the precise instructions to carry out the required cutting operations.
Types of CNC Machining
CNC milling
To transform the material into a mechanical part, a CNC milling machine moves a spinning cylindrical cutter along many axes while cutting slots, holes, and other details into the material. Most machines use three to five axes, which results in far more precision and detail. Modern CNC milling machines can be built as vertical or horizontal machining centers. In addition to using metals, CNC machines can shape plastic, ceramic, and composites. For machines to operate efficiently without human intervention, technical elements, including automatic tool changers, tool carousels & magazines, coolant systems, and enclosures, are used.
Types of Milling Machines in Machine Work
Face Milling
Machining a flat surface perpendicular to the cutter's axis is known as face milling. This procedure uses cutters with teeth on the tool face and tool perimeter. Each pair of teeth performs a specific task, with the face teeth finishing while the peripheral teeth perform cutting. Face milling can be used for vertical or horizontal procedures and creates finishes of superior quality.
Plain Milling
When the milling cutter axis is parallel to the milling surface, it is known as plain milling, surface milling, or slab milling. The cutter is mounted on a typical milling machine arbor, and the workpiece is positioned such that it is parallel to the table's surface. The milling machine spindle and one or more arbor support hold the arbor in a horizontal plane—directly clamping the workpiece to the table. Simple milling tools have teeth around the cutting tool's edge.
Whereas wide cutters are used for vast surfaces, and narrow cutters are used for deep cuts, both can produce the part's approximate geometry when significant amounts of material need to be removed from the workpiece. The operator first uses a coarse-toothed cutter, slow cutting speeds, and fast feed rates.
This is followed by a finer-toothed cutter, faster cutting speeds, and slower feed rates for the details. In a CNC machine, drilling is typically carried out with the workpiece perpendicular to the drill bit. Different-sized drill bits are used to create different kinds of cylindrical holes. On specifically constructed machines, drilling along non-perpendicular axes can be carried out.
CNC Waterjet Machining
A water jet is a type of CNC machining that removes extra material from the workpiece using water under high pressure and an abrasive. Even though water under pressure has the potential to cut a variety of materials on its own, abrasives like garnet and aluminum oxide can be added to the water to boost its cutting power, especially for tough materials.
CNC Turning
When turning a workpiece, single-point cutting tools are used to remove material from the rotating workpiece. A CNC lathe machine feeds the cutting tool in a linear motion along the surface of the rotating workpiece to produce cylindrical pieces with exterior and internal features, such as slots, tapers, and threads. Up till the target diameter is attained, this process is repeated.
The operational capabilities of the turning process include boring, facing, grooving, and thread cutting. Comparing the CNC mill to the CNC lathe, the CNC mill performs better for more complex components due to its rotating cutting tools. On the other hand, lathes manufacture round objects more rapidly and accurately because of its rotating work parts and fixed cutting tools.
Choosing the Right Machine Working Company
For the most productive experience when selecting a machine working company, it is important to compare several businesses using our directory of machine working businesses. Each company has a business profile page highlighting their areas of expertise and capabilities, along with a contact form to directly communicate with them for more information or request a quote. Review each business website using our patented website previewer for an understanding of what each company specializes in. Then, use our simple RFQ form to contact multiple machine working businesses with the same form.
