High Precision CNC Turning Parts Machining Stainless Steel Custom CNC Machined Part
CNC turning is a manufacturing process that creates parts by securing a raw material blank
on a rotating chuck and then precisely removing material using stationary cutting tools.
This technology is particularly well-suited for crafting parts that possess symmetry along their
central axis. Typically, turned parts can be produced more quickly and cost-effectively compared
to milled parts.
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The turning process predominantly employs metals as its primary materials.
These metals encompass alloy steel, carbon steel, cast iron, stainless steel, aluminum, copper,
magnesium, and zinc.
Nonetheless, this versatile process can also be applied to machine plastic components and work
with an array of other materials, including ceramics, composites, thermoplastics, and thermosets.
The Most Popular Materials | |
Name | Characteristics |
Aluminum 6061 | Good strength-to-weight ratio, excellent machinability, low hardness |
Stainless Steel 304 | Good strength-to-weight ratio, excellent machinability, low hardness |
Brass C360 | Excellent mechanical properties, resistant to corrosion & acid, relatively difficult to machine |
ABS | Excellent impact resistance, good mechanical properties, susceptible to solvents |
Nylon (PA6 & PA66) | Excellent mechanical properties, high toughness, poor moisture resistance |
POM (Delrin) | High stiffness, excellent thermal & electrical properties, relatively brittle |
CNC Machining Tolerances
Tolerances are not standardized across all processes and materials. The final tolerances on your
part depend on various factors, such as part size, design complexity, the number and size of
features, materials used, surface finish, and the manufacturing process employed.
Once your order is confirmed, we conduct a Design for Manufacturing review to identify areas
that may need modification for better manufacturability.
CNC Turning Tolerances | ||
Limits for nominal size | Plastics | Metals |
0.5mm* to 3mm | ±0.1mm | ±0.05mm |
Over 3mm to 6mm | ±0.1mm | ±0.05mm |
Over 6mm to 30mm | ±0.2mm | ±0.10mm |
Over 30mm to 120mm | ±0.3mm | ±0.15mm |
Over 120mm to 400mm | ±0.5mm | ±0.20mm |
Over 400mm to 1000mm | ±0.8mm | ±0.30mm |
Over 1000mm to 2000mm | ±1.2mm | ±0.50mm |
Over 2000mm to 4000mm | ±2.0mm | |
*Please clearly indicate tolerances for nominal sizes below 0.5mm on your technical drawing. |
Applications of CNC Turning
CNC turning serves a variety of industries, enabling the precise manufacturing of components for
specific needs. Here are some key sectors and their respective applications:
1. Transportation: CNC turning is integral to the aerospace, automotive, mass transit, rail,
locomotive, military, and trucking industries.
It's used to create essential transportation equipment such as headnuts, gear blanks, bearing
blocks, levers, axles, and rotors.
2. Construction: The construction sector relies on CNC machining to produce robust components
capable of withstanding heavy loads.
Bolts, screws, and fasteners made from stainless steel and aluminum are common CNC-machined
parts used for assembly and fastening purposes.
3. Vehicles: CNC turning services play a crucial role in manufacturing various auto parts.
These include engine components like cylinder heads, connecting rods, and camshafts, as well as
transmission parts such as shafts and rings.
Suspension elements like sway bars, control arms, and tie rod ends, along with items like bushings
and bolts, are also produced using CNC turning.
4. Air Travel: The aviation industry heavily depends on CNC turned parts for customizing and
fabricating probes, joint connectors, fasteners, as well as engine and aircraft components.
Many aviation parts are crafted from titanium due to its exceptional performance in extreme
temperature conditions.
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FAQ's
1. How long does a typical CNC turning process take?
The duration of a typical CNC turning process varies depending on factors such as part complexity,
material type, tolerances, and machining operations. It can range from minutes to hours.
For projects with time constraints, lead times as short as 3 days are possible.
2. Is CNC turning expensive?
The cost of CNC turning can vary depending on factors such as part complexity, material selection,
machine setup, and volume of production, making it difficult to provide a definitive answer
without specific details.
3. What Are the Advantages of CNC Turning?
CNC turning provides several advantages, including:
1. High Precision: CNC turning ensures exceptional accuracy in the production of parts.
2. Repeatability: It offers consistent and repeatable results, reducing variability.
3. Versatility for Complex Shapes: CNC turning handles intricate shapes and features efficiently.
4. Shorter Production Cycles: It leads to faster production times, improving efficiency.
5. Suitable for Various Quantities: CNC turning accommodates both small and large part quantities.
4. Surface Finish Choices for Turned Components
When it comes to turned parts, they often feature a remarkably smooth surface finish.
The as-machined surface finish on cylindrical sections is generally smoother when created with a
lathe as opposed to a mill.
Therefore, it's advisable to consider this when determining the machining method for parts that
could be produced using either technique.
Sections that are cut with live tooling, including flats and slots, may exhibit visible tool marks.
If desired, metal components can undergo a gentle bead blasting process, resulting in a fine matte
finish. For hard metals like steel and stainless steel, it's also possible to deburr the edges lightly with
a bead blast to eliminate metal slivers and sharp or uneven areas.