Advantages And Materials For CNC Machining

With the development of the economy, factories are becoming more and more industrialized, and many factories have long been using CNC machining for their operations. In this guide, YIFENG METAL will introduce you to the advantages of CNC machining and how to go about choosing the right material for CNC machining. But before we can talk about these issues, we need to know what CNC is machining.

What is CNC Machining

CNC machining is a new processing technology, the main task is to program the processing procedures, turning the original manual work into computer programming, which can automatically process any products and parts directly according to the technicians' pre-programmed procedures.CNC machining is an efficient automatic machine tool, consisting of mechanical equipment and CNC systems for machining complex shapes of workpieces.

Advantages of CNC machining

1. Safety

The operator of a CNC machine is safely separated from all sharp parts by a special protective structure. He can still see what is happening on the machine through the glass, but he does not have to walk anywhere near the mill or spindle. The operator also does not have to come into contact with the coolant. Depending on the material, certain fluids may be harmful to human skin.

2. Automatic machining is possible

CNC machining usually refers to the precision machining controlled by computer digital control. Therefore, it can be controlled by the program instructions of CNC machine tools, and the whole machining process is carried out automatically according to the program instructions. The high degree of automation of the machine tool greatly reduces the labor intensity of workers.

Many CNC machines can now run unattended for the entire machining cycle, freeing up the operator to do other tasks. This provides CNC users with a number of ancillary benefits, including reduced operator fatigue, fewer errors due to human error, and consistent and predictable machining times for each part.

3. High machining accuracy

The second major advantage of CNC technology is the consistency and accuracy of the workpiece. The typical accuracy of today's CNC machines has reached two to four thousandths of an inch or 0.05 to 0.10 mm, with repeatability close to or better than eight thousandths of an inch or 0.02 mm. This means that once a program has been validated, two, ten or a thousand identical parts can easily be produced with the same accuracy and consistency. Mass production is possible and product quality is easily controlled.

4. CNC machining is flexible and efficient

Since these machines are run by computer programs, running different workpieces is as easy as loading different programs. This also brings another benefit in the form of quick changeovers. Because these machines are so easy to set up and run, and can easily load programs, they have very short set-up times. And CNC machining allows for multiple coordinate linkage and can machine complex zeros. When the shape and size of the part needs to be changed, only the CNC program needs to be changed, saving production lead time.

5. Save labor cost

Nowadays, conventional machine tools require constant attention. This means that each worker can only work on one machine tool. When the CNC era came, the situation changed dramatically. Most parts took at least half an hour to process each time they were mounted. But CNC machines are made to cut the parts themselves. There is no need to touch anything. The tool moves automatically and the operator only has to check for errors in the program or setup. Having said that, CNC operators find they have a lot of free time. That time can be used on other machines. So, one operator, many machines. This means you can save manpower.

Choose the right CNC machining material

We already know that CNC machining offers the advantages of high precision and accuracy. Based on this feature, CNC machining can produce high precision parts. These parts are versatile and can be used for complex components in aerospace, automotive, modern electronics and other industries. As CNC technology develops and processes continue to improve, it is important to select the right materials. In general, materials used for precision CNC machining need to have properties such as dimensional stability, machinability, and ease of processing, corrosion resistance, and impact resistance. But not all materials are suitable for your application. To choose the right material, it is important to understand their properties and uses. The following are some of the raw materials commonly used in CNC precision machining.

1. Aluminum.

Aluminum is probably the most widely used CNC milling material. The ability to machine faster than other materials makes aluminum a more useful material for CNC machining. Because it is lightweight, non-magnetic, corrosion resistant and inexpensive, aluminum is widely used in the production of aircraft components, automotive parts, bicycle frames and food containers.

2. Brass

Brass is a copper-zinc alloy. It is a very delicate metal that can be machined without lubrication. It is ideal for the manufacture of CNC machined parts, including CNC milled parts. It usually works easily at room temperature, so it also seeks uses that do not require high power. It is for this reason that brass is widely considered to be one of the easiest and most cost-effective materials to use for precision machining services, and brass is chosen for the manufacture of complex parts that require sophisticated functionality. Easy to machine, smooth and with a clean surface, brass is used in the manufacture of medical devices, consumer products, electronic hardware and contacts, accessories, commercial products and more.

3. Stainless Steel

Stainless steel alloys are unaffected by most stains and rusts. The material is prized for its strength and corrosion resistance and can be used for anything from surgical equipment to electronic hardware. Stainless steel is a very versatile material that is relatively lightweight and durable, expanding its use in a variety of industries.

4. Carbon Steel

Carbon steel is also one of the popular materials to consider for CNC machining. It is available in a variety of formulations from which you can choose according to your application requirements. This material is mainly used for CNC machining due to its durability, safety, long shelf life, affordability and environmentally friendly nature.

5. Titanium

Titanium is resistant to heat and corrosion, making it a viable option for many industrial applications. Titanium is unaffected by salt and water and is widely used in the manufacture of medical implants, aircraft components and jewelry, among others.

6. Magnesium

Magnesium is the lightest structural metal widely used by precision machining service providers. Magnesium has excellent machinability, strength and robustness making it ideally suited for a number of industrial applications.

In addition to the materials listed above, there are several other materials that are compatible with precision CNC machining processes. These include cemented carbide, tungsten, palladium, Inva alloy, nickel, niobium, alloy steel, beryllium, cobalt, iridium and molybdenum. It is important to select the right material after considering the application areas it will be used in, other machining activities, etc. Choosing the right material from multiple options is critical, as it determines the success of the application.

The above is to introduce the advantages of CNC machining and the choice of CNC material. DONGGUAN YIFENG METAL CO., LTD is an innovative enterprise that specializes in manufacturing high-precision custom metal parts. We always tries his best to provide quality products and satisfactory service. Our testing and cleaning equipment, like 2D projector, hardness tester, salt spray test machine and ultrasonic cleaner, guarantee the high quality of all products. Welcome to Inquiry.