CNC Turning Vs CNC Milling, Which Is Better for You?

CNC turning and CNC milling. They sound like two sides of the same coin, right? Well, they are similar, but with distinct differences that make a big impact on your final product. Choosing the wrong one can mean wasted time and money – and nobody wants that.

What is CNC Milling & CNC Turning?

CNC Milling Process Description

CNC milling involves the use of rotating tools to rapidly remove material from a workpiece to form complex shapes. The milling cutter moves forward at a certain angle to remove the surface of the material. The object to be processed by the CNC milling machine is fixed at a certain position on the machine tool, and the milling cutter rotates at high speed under the clamping of the fixture. The process is guided by computer-controlled motion along multiple axes, ensuring unmatched accuracy and repeatability.

CNC Turning Process Description

In CNC turning, the workpiece rotates relative to a fixed cutting tool, enabling computer-guided external material removal. The machining principle is that the workpiece rotates and the tool is fixed. On this machine, the material can rotate but the tool remains stationary. The cylindrical symmetry involved lends itself to turning to precisely manufacture shafts, pins, and other rotationally symmetrical parts.

CNC Turning vs. CNC Milling: Pros and Cons

Both CNC turning and milling have their own strengths and weaknesses. Understanding these will help you pick the perfect process for your project.

Pros and Cons of CNC Milling

Pros

● It can create parts of varying complexity, from simple geometries to intricate designs.

● CNC milling operations can achieve a high degree of accuracy, producing parts with tight tolerances and complex features.

● Milling is suitable for a wide range of materials, including metals, plastics, ceramics, and composites.

● CNC milling generally produces a better surface finish than CNC turning, making it ideal for applications where aesthetics or surface quality are critical.

Cons

● CNC milling machines are more expensive than CNC lathes. This is because they have additional axes of motion and are more complex.

● Milling operations generally require longer setup times than turning because the cutting tool must be precisely aligned and programmed for each specific part geometry.

Pros and Cons of CNC Turning

Pros

● It is an effective choice for parts with rotational symmetry.

● CNC turning lathes generally have shorter setup times than CNC milling machines because the cutting tool only needs to be aligned along two axes.

● Generally speaking, CNC turning is cheaper than milling, making it a more cost-effective choice.

Cons

● CNC turning is limited to cylindrical shapes and features, so it is not very suitable for complex geometries.

● Although it can achieve a high-quality surface finish, it is generally not as good as the surface finish produced by CNC milling.

What is the Difference between CNC milling and CNC turning?

1) Motion Trajectory

CNC turning: The workpiece rotates and the turning tool moves along a straight line or curve.

CNC milling: The milling cutter rotates and the workpiece moves along a straight line or curve.

2) Mechanical Configuration

CNC turning: Using CNC lathes or lathes, processing including drilling, reaming, tapping and knurling can also be performed.

CNC milling: Using CNC milling machines or milling machines, planes (horizontal, vertical), grooves (keyways, T-slots, dovetail grooves), gears, helical surfaces (threads, spiral grooves) and various curved surfaces can be processed.

3) Workpiece Shape

CNC turning: Mainly used for processing internal and external cylindrical or conical surfaces, such as shafts, bushings, sleeves, etc.

CNC milling: Specially formed surfaces used for machining flat and irregular surfaces such as grooves, grooves, gears, threads and dies to create complex shapes and features

4) Tool function

CNC turning: Single-point tool

CNC milling: Multi-point tool

5) Cutting method

CNC turning: Continuous cutting, keeping the cutting tool in contact with the workpiece

CNC milling: Intermittent cutting, tool teeth engagement and disengagement

6) Chips

CNC turning: Chips, discontinuous or continuous chips

CNC milling: Always produces discontinuous chips

How To Choose The Right CNC Process For Your Project

Now that you know the strengths and weaknesses of each process. Choosing between CNC turning and milling largely depends on the types of parts you need to produce. Here's a quick guide to help you make the right call:

When to Choose CNC Turning?

●Round and Round: If your part is primarily cylindrical, turning is usually the way to go. Think shafts, pins, bolts, and anything else with a central axis.

●Need for Speed: If you need to produce a large number of simple, symmetrical parts quickly, turning will likely be faster and more efficient.

●Smooth Finish is Key: When a smooth surface finish is critical, turning often provides better results than milling.

Examples: Think of everyday objects like doorknobs, screws, and even baseball bats. These are all great examples of parts that are typically made using CNC turning.

When to Choose CNC Milling?

●Complex Geometries: If your part has intricate details, and sharp corners, or requires milling from multiple sides, then CNC milling is the clear winner.

●Variety is the Spice of Life: When you need to create parts with a wide range of shapes and features, milling offers the flexibility to get the job done.

●One-offs and Prototypes: For small production runs or prototypes, milling can be more cost-effective than turning, as it doesn't require specialized tooling.

Examples: Engine blocks, gears, and complex molds are all examples of parts that are often produced using CNC milling.

Applications of CNC Milling and Turning

In Conclusion

When choosing between CNC milling and CNC turning, it is important to consider factors such as part geometry, material, accuracy requirements, surface finish, and production volume. Ultimately, the CNC machining process that is best for your project will depend on the specific requirements and constraints of your project.

If you are looking for a reliable and experienced partner to meet your CNC milling and CNC turning needs, BergekCNC offers CNC milling services, CNC turning services, and all other machining services with over 100 material options. Our team of experts is ready to help you achieve your manufacturing goals and provide high-quality, precision CNC turned parts. Please feel free to contact us and get a quote by simply submitting your design

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