CNC Turning
CNC turning is a precision machining process that is controlled by a software program tooling, called computer numerical control (CNC), which is used to produce cylindrical parts. CNC turning is a similar process to CNC milling, which is the process of producing prismatic components using CNC screw machines or CNC lathers. While CNC turning is a more cost-efficient process than CNC milling, CNC turning is limited in the flexibility of its design capabilities whereas CNC milling is not. However, the CNC turning process can be used to cut cylindrical parts in a variety of shapes including contoured, fillet, tapered ends, pointed and radius profiles with threaded surfaces due to its boring, drilling, grooving, and finish contouring abilities. Able to work well with even the most rigid of materials, CNC turning commonly shapes materials including titanium, acrylic, brass, polycarbonate, nylon, copper, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), stainless steel and aluminum. A simple, yet important process, CNC turning offers a wide range of applications such as bushes, pulleys, shafts, rods, hubs, tools, machine parts, flanges, nozzles and housings. Offering precision depth and dimension, typical industries that benefit from CNC turning services include automotive, electronics, petroleum, defense, commercial, aerospace, marine, industrial and construction. Performed in machine shops, CNC turning can be accomplished using CNC screw machines or CNC lathes. CNC screw machines are multi-spindled, enabling the machining of several parts simultaneously, while achieving high production rates. Computer-controlled, CNC machine turning begins when a round, square or hexagonal blank is attached to the spindles' spring collets. Next, this blank begins to spin as multiple automated cutting, drilling, notching and knurling tools attached to the machine work the blank into parts by shaving away excess material, smoothing and drilling. The main drive shaft of a Swiss screw machine provides power to the machine bed's lead work shaft and controls the two front cam shafts. The machine motor, located at the base of the machine, is the central power source for all operations and will vary in horsepower, depending on the size of the machine, speed and stock to be machined. A CNC lathe is a computer-controlled machine tool with the ability to shape products by holding and rotating a blank, also called a workpiece, on a single spindle while a drill bit performs the cutting action. A more recent development, CNC lathes are rapidly replacing older-style lathes since they are generally considered to be easier to operate as well as set since a less intimate knowledge of the lathe is required. Typically, in CNC turning centers the operator and the setter are the same person.
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