CNC Turning is a manufacturing process. Metal bars are held and rotated while a tool removes material to create a shape. CNC turning involves holding the workpiece in a horizontally-mounted, adjustable spindle. The piece rotates on a lathe, allowing a computer-controlled turret with attached tooling to cut the material into a specified shape based on programmed instructions. A center with both turning and milling capabilities can stop rotation to allow for milling out of other shapes. Turning parts on CNC turning centers allows for a wide range of complexities, sizes and material types. The starting material can be round, square or hexagonal-shaped. Bar length is based on the feeder. The tools in CNC lathes or turning centers are digitally controlled. CNC lathes and turning centers can utilize a variety of processes to create different end results.

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How Does CNC Turning Work?
The CNC Turning process involves the raw material being secured and turned by the lathe while a single point cutting tool is moved parallel to the axis of rotation – thereby shaping the material. The exact measurements are fed into a machine via CAD software. Once the computer has read the instructions, it controls the lathe to ensure that the parts are manufactured to the exact specifications required. This is different to conventional machining, since it is the work station that rotates rather than the cutting tool. Because of how they operate, CNC Turning is typically used to make more cylindrical or oblong shaped components. The technique is also chosen ahead of CNC Milling and 3D printing because of its ability to produce multiples of the same component quickly and from one single piece of raw material.

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The History of CNC Turning
The process of CNC Turning is actually based on one of the oldest machining tools in the world, the lathe. In fact, the use of a lathe in manufacturing dates back to Ancient Egypt.

Fast forward several centuries to the late 1940s and numerical controlled (NC) machining was invented by John T. Parsons, who was working in conjunction with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Commissioned by the US Air Force, Parsons was tasked with finding the most cost-effective way of producing aircraft parts that fit intricate specifications. Thanks to his efforts, CNC machining soon became the norm in the manufacturing industry.

Then in 1967, the idea of computer-controlled machining first started circulating. A full nine years later, the first 3D computer aided machining systems became available and within 13 years after that, CNC Turning and Machining became the industry standard.

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Why Choose CNC Turning?


CNC turning is the fastest way to remove extensive material on rounded stock. It’s a type of machining that is also ideal for larger production runs when coupled with an automatic bar feeder that provides an uninterrupted supply of raw material into the machine. CNC turning is the only industrial process to choose when making production volumes of concentric shapes or threaded features. And, because of the rigid construction of a CNC lathe there is little vibration, which means CNC turning can offer high levels of dimensional accuracy with excellent surface finishes.



Advantages of CNC Turning
When compared with manual turning, CNC turning offers abundant advantages over traditional manual fabrication methods, including:

Quick Turnaround. CNC turning equipment is pre-programmed and allows the equipment to move more quickly than manual machining.
Superior precision. Pre-programmed specifications ensurepreferable precision and reliability.
Variable production sizes.Faster CNC turning allows for larger scale production with high repeatability.
Material versatility.CNC turning can be used on a broad range of materials.
Enhanced worker safety. CNC turning requires less direct human interaction, thereby reducing risk of injury to workers.
Cost-effectiveness.Enhanced speed and reduced labor costs can make CNC turning very affordable in comparison with other manufacturing.
CNC Turning,CNC Turned Parts,CNC machining



What Kind of Materials Can Be CNC Turned?
Although it is possible to turn any solid, stable material, we usually process hard plastics and metals, such as aluminum, a variety of mild and stainless steels, titanium, magnesium, brass, copper and other alloys. Note that some tool steel may be too hard to cut on a lathe or mill or else will require special treatment and a longer production time. Soft elastomers or plastics may also be impossible to turn since they cannot be held in a fixed position or would change in shape under the pressure of the cutting tool

What CNC Turning Parts Can be Made?
CNC Turning is an extremely versatile manufacturing process. While it is mostly associated with the automotive, aerospace and engineering industries, it can also be used to create objects like pieces of art and ornaments.

The CNC Turning parts that are most commonly created can be divided into three broad categories, which are:

Metal Components
CNC Turning parts that are constructed from metal are typically used in the automotive industry. You can manufacture components from materials such as steel, brass and aluminium.

Steel Components: CNC Turning parts made from steel are extremely economic and strong, though they are often more expensive than their aluminium counterparts. They are mainly used in the aerospace and automotive industries.
Aluminium Components: These products are primarily used in the high-tech due to the material being both lightweight and strong. It is also extremely resistant to corrosion, meaning aluminum can be used for several applications.
Brass Components: Items made from brass are more commonly associated with electrical contacts and hardware, plus several other commercial products. These are extremely easy to machine and are therefore very cost-effective.

Acrylic Components
Modern acrylic materials are extremely versatile and can be used for a variety of CNC Turning parts. These range from highly complex machinery components for micro fluidic devices, right the way to company logos and signage. Acrylic can also be used for works of art and ornaments for the office or around the house.

Electronic Components
CNC Turning can also be used in the manufacture of printed circuit boards. Because of the increased precision offered by computer aided manufacturing, the components are extremely electronically efficient.

Types of CNC Turning Processes
There are several types of turning processes, each of which perform different tasks to reach an expected outcome. While none of these processes achieve much separately, mixing and matching them all and incorporating computer programming results in high quality parts. Some primary types of turning include:

Straight or cylindrical turning.This type of turning uses a uniform motion to decrease the work diameter to prevent variation of the cut. This process removes large amounts of material from the workpiece before it undergoes more precise cuts.
This process creates a narrow cavity by pressing a shaped tool into the material.
Taper turning.Taper turning creates a cylindrical shape with a gradually decreasing diameter.
Often performed on materials that need extra grip, this process cuts a serrated pattern into the workpiece.
Spherical generation.This process results in a perfect sphere shape by turning the workpiece around a fixed axis of revolution.
This process removes a completed piece from the original stock piece by gouging deeply into the material.
Threading results in helical grooves that can be screwed into other components.
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Application Field of CNC Turning
CNC turning is a highly precise process that can apply to a range of material sizes to create accurate products for many industries, including:

Aerospace. CNC turning is critical to the manufacturing of high-precision parts, engines, and aircraft bodies for the aviation industry.
Medical and dental.Turning produces precise measurements, points, and angles for tools and instruments used in the dental and medical field.
Automotive. CNC turning quickly creates precise shafts, valves, and other parts for consumer, commercial, and defense vehicles to keep up with industry demands.
Electronics. CNC turning is capable of producing the highly complex and precise parts needed to manufacture computers and other electronics.
Military. Turning can machine parts to high-standards with precise tolerances for military vehicles, avionics, and other military equipment.
CNC turning is capable of producing machine parts, such as screws, motor shafts, and more, for the mechanical industry that meet necessary technical specifications. The highly precise nature of CNC turning also makes it suitable for woodworking, certain electrical applications, and electrical discharge machining (EDM).
CNC Milling vs CNC Turning: All You Need to Know
CNC machining is a rapid manufacturing process that turns digital 3D designs into plastic or metal parts by selectively cutting away material. Many companies require CNC machining service to make parts and prototypes, and many industries use the versatile technology. But CNC machining comes in various forms. Although all CNC machining technologies follow a similar workflow — software turns the digital design into machine instructions, which instruct the CNC machine to cut material — the hardware for cutting material can differ greatly between machines. In this paragraph we discuss the essential features of CNC milling and CNC turning while also presenting the main advantages of each technology and a selection of common parts that companies can manufacture using each process.

What is CNC Milling?

CNC milling is one of the most common CNC machining service, and machinists can use it to make a wide variety of CNC machined parts. CNC mills use computer instructions to move a rapidly rotating cutting tool along three or more axes. When the spinning cutting tool makes contact with the workpiece, it removes material in a controlled manner. The cutting tool makes a succession of passes against the surface of the workpiece until the workpiece resembles the desired part. Most CNC mills keep the workpiece stationary, holding it down on the machine bed with a vice. However, multi-axis CNC mills may rock or rotate the workpiece to create a greater number of cutting angles. This allows the machinist to create more complex parts without having to manually reorient the workpiece. Providers of YIJIN Hardware services use CNC milling because it is a one-stop, end-to-end process with short lead times.

What is CNC Turning?

CNC turning is a form of CNC machining that machinists use to make rounded, cylindrical, and conical parts. Although it is less versatile than CNC milling, it is one of the most popular CNC machining services and rapid prototyping services. Machines that carry out CNC turning are called CNC lathes or CNC turning centers. They are different from CNC mills in that they rapidly rotate the workpiece in a chuck but do not rotate the cutting tool. The cutting tool, affixed to a turret, moves towards the spinning workpiece under computer instructions and removes material where necessary. A CNC lathe can cut the outside of the workpiece or bore through the inside to create tubular CNC machined parts. The turret of the machine may have multiple cutting tools that can be individually engaged as required.

Advantages of CNC Milling

CNC mills offer numerous advantages to manufacturers and prototype companies. Unlike lathes, mills are versatile machines capable of creating a range of different shapes. Furthermore, a variety of cutting tools can be used to serve different operations such as roughing and end-milling. Although they are manufacturing machines in their own right, mills are also useful for post-machining. For example, they can be used to add details to turned, molded, or 3D printed parts. CNC milling is also fast, repeatable, and inexpensive in low volumes — partly because it does not require tooling. It is therefore found among manufacturing services and rapid prototyping services.

Advantages of CNC Turning

The biggest advantage of CNC turning is its ability to create round profiles. It is much more difficult to achieve perfect roundness using other CNC machining services like CNC milling or CNC routing. CNC turning is also highly accurate, which makes it a valuable technology for boring holes of precise dimensions with set tolerances. CNC milling and CNC turning can be combined to reap the benefits of both processes. In most cases, CNC turning takes place first, allowing the machinist to mill further (asymmetrical) details on the part.

Parts Made with CNC Milling

Example parts made with CNC milling include:

Fittings: Milled fittings connect two or more parts together
Enclosures and housings: Electrical devices and other products can use custom-milled enclosures to protect internal components
Brackets: Milled brackets can contain custom threads and holes and may be more complex than sheet metal brackets
Gears: CNC milling can produce straight and spiral gears for mechanical devices
Mold tooling: Milled tooling, made of steel or aluminum, allows for rapid prototyping of molded parts
Engine parts: Automotive engineers use CNC milling for engine blocks and other parts
Medical devices: CNC mills can produce implants, surgical instruments, and other medical devices
Water pumps: Multi-axis mills can create reliable impellers for hydraulic equipment
Forming punches: CNC mills can create other manufacturing equipment, such as forming punches for sheet metal fabrication
Parts Made with CNC Turning

Example parts made with CNC turning include:

Rollers: CNC lathes can fabricate rollers with tight tolerances for industrial use
Ball joints: CNC turning is ideal for rounded connective devices like ball joints
Nuts and bolts: The accuracy of turning makes it suitable for tolerance-critical items like nuts and bolts
Shafts: Shafts with rounded profiles are highly suited to CNC turning
Flanges: CNC turned flanges can strengthen beams and pipes
Nozzles: Nozzles are typically cylindrical or conical with hollow insides, making them suitable for CNC turning
Turbines: CNC turning can produce round turbine blades for the energy industry
Firearms: A CNC lathe can produce the tubular shape required for a firearm barrel
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Which Should You Choose?



Generally speaking, CNC turning is best for parts with round, cylindrical, or conical profiles, and CNC milling is best for everything else. If you require CNC turning parts or components, YIJIN Hardware can help. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality precision engineered products for a wide range of industries.

That be honest, CNC milling and CNC turning can be combined to good effect. If a part has a predominantly round shape but also requires asymmetrical cuts or features, CNC milling can follow CNC turning in sequence. And although it is less common, CNC turning can also follow CNC milling — if a boxy or irregular-shaped part requires a large hole bored through its center, for example. Finally, sometimes you don’t have to choose: CNC milling-turning centers integrate both technologies into a single production device.



YIJIN CNC Turning Services: What Are The Advantages of Working With Us?


At YIJIN Hardware, we have a complete CNC machining service waiting to start making your CNC machined parts. Whether it’s turning, milling or any other CNC machining services, here are some of the reasons you won’t be disappointed for choosing us:

We’re located in ShenzhenChina, close to major shipping ports in Shenzhen and Hong Kong, so your parts can be delivered fast and at a competitive price.
We have world-class CNC lathes with live tooling and bar feeders. All of our cutting tools come from Gühring of Germany.
Our production area is clean, well-lit and climate controlled.Yijin Hardware always follow GB, DIN, JIS or ANSI standard and exert innovative technologies to provide quality products and perfect services at reasonable prices!
All of our CNC machines are linked together by a digital resource management system for maximum efficiency and project tracking.
You will have an international team of skilled technicians, engineers and toolmakers working for you.
We’re able to keep costs down while providing unmatched precision and quality without cutting corners.
We use advanced CNC software from Autodesk and Vericut to optimize tool paths, speeds and feeds.
Incoming quality inspection and testing of raw materials ensures the integrity of our supply chain, so you get exactly the materials you specified.
We are experts in prototyping and low-volume manufacturing, so quick set-ups and rapid production is in our DNA.
Our CNC milling and CNC turning services are designed to work in tandem with our many other in-house fabrication and finishing. We offer you a complete one-stop rapid manufacturing and volume production solution.
Based on its exceptional standards, Yijin Hardware has got a lot of experience by providing cost-effective professional services for both private companies and governmental agencies for 20 Years, with a real focus on customer satisfaction.