Difference Between CNC Turning and CNC Milling

by Jeff Banes Marketing Manager

Whether it's CNC lathes, milling, turning, horizontal machining center, vertical machining center or be it any kind of machine as long as CNC is concerned about.

This technology has taken over a wide part of the industrial sector and has been delivering results ever since.

Industries rooting for precision are reaching out to CNC machines.

CNC or Computer Numerical Control increases the output in the business of precision cutting or manufacturing parts.

There are several benefits of CNC machines, some of them are:

Increasing profits
Cost savings
Development time reduces
Stock management increases
Increase in productivity
Quality of the product is better

Since CNC has become an integral part of the Industries these days, there's always an ongoing discussion about the differences around CNC machine and its type.

In this write-up, we will focus on the differences between CNC turning and CNC milling machine.

Both, CNC turning and milling machine comprise of computer-aided systems and are used in performing a variety of application in the industrial sector.

Both the machines, fetch the same purpose, i.e., create patterns, add details to the processed material like metal which can't be done by bare hands.

CNC is used for controlling the machine tools, and this is what makes these machines unique.

Both the machines cut metals into desired dimensions with precision and accuracy that's the reason CNC machines have demanded in the industries.

Difference Between Milling And Turning

As we have already established both the machines are based on CNC and are controlled using a computer and software.

These machines also use the same set of tools that are used to perform the procedure like lathes, drill presses, and screw machines.

But, let's not forget that turning and milling are different processes, so it's evident that there's going to be a difference between the two. The difference here is not in the procedure but in the product that they create.

Let's understand the two machines separately.

CNC Milling

The machining procedure involved in CNC milling machine uses commands of a software program which is coded with G-code language.

The G-ode has a command over the speed, feed-rate, location and coordinates the motion of the milling machine when it cuts or shapes the material into the desired dimensions.

Milling machine that is used for drill and turns along the intended axes can also be controlled manually apart from being controlled by the computer.

This is done so that the operator adjusts the speed or the operator can make changes in the process when its essential.

The end-products created with CNC milling are - Mechanical parts like arms, fixtures, linkages, valves, pulleys

Benefits of Using Milling Machine

They are extremely safe to use as the operator doesn't need to bend while using the machine.

The machine guarantees extreme accuracy and the products turn out to be well finished.

CNC milling doesn't require much supervision even a single person can take care of the machine hence reducing overhead cost.

CNC Turning

As established before the distinguishable factor between turning and milling is the end product that is created during the procedure.

When the turning process takes place a single point cutting tool gets is inserted into the metal that's undergoing the process in a parallel fashion.

The cutting tools perform its function, i.e., cutting precisely the metal which has a rotational movement. The diameter and depth of these cuts are determined beforehand.

The reason CNC turning is used is that they fulfill the need to create cuts in a circular or tubular form.

Not just creating outer cuts for decoration it is used for cutting more than one tubular shapes in the material that undergoes the process.

Machine parts and tools are the products created by CNC turning machine.

Benefits of CNC Turning Machine

Like milling machine even they are very precise in their manner of cutting and the end product has a fine finish.

Even though it isn't a cheap machine, in the long run, it ends up saving the money spent on manual labor.

The accuracy of the machine reduces the possibility of a human error behind which many companies spent thousands of dollars.

Hatfield Machinery for Horizontal Machining Center in Pennsylvania

If you are looking for a horizontal machining center in Pennsylvania then I would recommend them to you.

They deal in all types of Used and New CNC Machines. You can trust them and the quality of the machine they sell.

Hatfield has been serving Delaware Valley for over 25 years, and they are prominent in the market and also provide a demo of the machine under power on request.

You can email your queries at sales@hatfieldmachinery.com, or you can check out our website here - Hatfield Machinery.