What is Machining?
Machining is the manufacturing process of shaping metals by removing unwanted material.
This process can be accomplished in many different ways. There are many kinds of machining processes.
This article describes the most common machining processes for turning, milling, and drilling.
On the surface, the machining process appears to be very similar (i.e. metal removal). However, in many ways, they differ greatly in how they operate to accomplish the parts they need.
Knowing the differences between machining will ultimately allow you to make the best purchasing decision, resulting in more efficient production.
Turning is a machining method in which metal is turned by a lathe while a tool moves in a straight line to remove the metal, resulting in a cylindrical shape.
The angle of the cutter can form different shapes. Turning can be done manually with a conventional lathe, which often requires continuous supervision, or with an automatic lathe. Today, the most common type of this automation is computer numerical control, known as CNC.
CNC, or Computer Numerical Control, is a modern manufacturing process used for precision components that are relied upon around the world.
As technology advances, so do the capabilities of CNC machine tools, making them vital tools in precision manufacturing applications ranging from aerospace and defense to professional electronics and medical equipment.
Milling
Milling is a machining method that uses a rotating multi-point cutting tool to remove material from a workpiece.
In CNC milling, the CNC machine typically feeds the workpiece into the tool in the same direction as the tool rotates. Conversely, in manual milling, the machine feeds the workpiece in the opposite direction to the rotation of the tool.
Drilling
Drilling is a machining process that uses a multi-point drill to create a cylindrical hole in a workpiece.
In drilling, the machine holds the rotating drill bit perpendicular to the plane of the workpiece surface, creating a vertically aligned hole equal in diameter to the bit used in the drilling operation.
When the drill is positioned perpendicular to the workpiece, there is less deviation or drift of the drill. For greater accuracy, a center drilling operation can be added before drilling.
This article describes three different types of machining processes.
More SuperHard offers extensive manufacturing capabilities to meet all your production needs.
---EDITOR: Erin Zhang/Cynthia Lee
---POST: Cynthia Lee
