WHAT IS CNC TURNING?

CNC turning is a popular machining process, but what does CNC actually mean and what are the advantages of this method over others?
In earlier times, metal turned parts were still made by hand on a lathe, this is done completely automatically by means of CNC turning - the work is done by a CNC lathe. The abbreviation CNC stands for "Computerized Numerical Control", which means that the turning process is computer-controlled and requires no manual intervention. At most it may be necessary to correct tool settings by hand. The information on machining the workpiece is read into the controller's memory. As a rule, the CNC machines have a memory for programs and an RC interface, thanks to which it is also possible to read in and directly program CAD drawings. All target specifications, such as the material and coolant supply, the speed of rotation and the position of the spindle or the tool position and the speed of the machining movements, are communicated to the control in numerical form. The target data are constantly compared with the actual data by the control device. Thus, CNC turning is ideally suited for the production of large quantities with consistently high quality and repeatability as well as with a minimal error rate - even of turned parts with more complex shapes. The same applies to CNC milled parts.

How are CNC turned parts manufactured?

CNC turned parts are produced on CNC lathes by rotating the workpiece in conjunction with translatory movements of the tools. CNC turning achieves a high material removal rate and is therefore very cost-effective.

In contrast to CNC milling, the tool in CNC turning is continuously engaged and not exposed to any interrupted cutting conditions. In addition, CNC lathes have a mechanically simpler structure and are therefore more cost-effective than milling machines with the same performance and dimensions.

In addition to pure lathes, CNC machining often uses combined machines with driven tools and milling spindles. With such turning-milling machines, the complete machining of workpieces in one clamping is possible.

What are the advantages of CNC turning?

The greatest advantage of CNC turning is probably the precision of the manufacturing process. This is also the reason why it has proven itself in industries such as medical technology, aerospace, motorsport, special machine construction or in microtechnology and watchmaking with small turned parts. While with conventional turning mainly round metal parts can be machined, modern CNC lathes also allow the production of parts that would otherwise only be possible with a milling machine. In addition, the constant working conditions in CNC turning also offer potential for cost reduction. On the one hand, this is noticeable in reduced tool wear, and on the other hand, production times and deadlines can be met more easily and precisely.

Depending on the work process, there are different tools for CNC machines, for example indexable inserts, thread cutters or drills. However, it is also possible to carry out milling work or engraving on conventional CNC lathes using special tools. Several tools can therefore be used in one pass without the process having to be interrupted by setup. Because all movements that would be carried out by hand in conventional turning can be programmed in CNC turning and thus repeated as often as required, the computer-aided process, just like CNC milling, is ideally suited for the series production of components. With the help of feeder and removal systems, the processes can be made even more economical and productive.

Our manufacturing capabilities for CNC turned parts

Components up to 500 mm in diameter
Components up to 1,500 mm in length
Larger components on request
Production up to an accuracy of 5 µm
1 to 200,000 pieces via the online shop, larger quantities on request
Pure turning as well as turning-milling
Surface quality up to a mean roughness value of Ra 0.4
over 40 materials and 20 post treatments

It's that easy to order your turned part in the KangDing online shop

Upload CAD file (and optionally a technical drawing)
Configure component
Calculate immediate price
Order component

Individual requests

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us personally. For all production tasks that we do not cover with our automatic price calculation, we would be happy to make you an individual offer. You have the option of requesting a manual offer directly in the online shop. All entered data will then be transmitted automatically and you will usually receive a corresponding offer within one working day.

  
Copper CNC turned parts