Producing high-quality shafts, pins, or housings is a complicated process. The parts need to be correct with every specification. CNC lathe services are the answer.
A CNC lathe service fabricates parts by cutting material off a rotating workpiece. It’s a type of subtractive manufacturing. The material is removed to achieve an end shape. This method is famous for its precision and ability to produce circular parts.
This is a practical guideline directed to engineers and designers. We will consider efficient utilization of these services. They are also going to demonstrate how to improve your designs and choose the right business partners.
CNC lathing, or CNC turning, is also the name of a CNC lathe service. It is considered an advanced manufacturing process. Proper knowledge of the process helps to determine if it’s suitable for your parts. It fits very well for some shapes and not so much for others.
Choosing the correct manufacturing process early on is time-efficient and cost-effective. Custom parts of any project must be of high quality and affordable. The right tool is the first step towards getting it right.
It is a simple twist. A cylindrical bar with a material inside is rotated while moving. The bar fulfilling this role is a workpiece. A stationary cutting tool moves along the workpiece.
The tool acts like a sculptor, taking away the material and achieving the desired form. Important operations include facing, which produces flat ends, drilling, which makes holes, boring, which enlarges holes, and threading, which creates screw threads. This approach works particularly well for items with round outlines.
CNC lathe service is not suitable for all parts. It is ideal for cylindrical shapes. When using square pieces or complicated surfaces that are not round, CNC milling is typically a better option. The following chart summarizes the differences.
The material broadly relates to the performance of parts such as their strength, weight, and cost. An intelligent choice is critical to the success of the project. An excellent CNC lathe service supplier would work with a wide range of metals and plastics.
Contemplate the use of the part. Will it be under stress? Must it withstand heat or chemicals? The answers to these will provide guidance in choosing the most appropriate material.
Finding the right manufacturer is of the same importance as having the right design. A superb partner will behave as part of your team. The one that does not perform will hold things up and will bring quality problems. Check out this checklist to ask the appropriate questions and locate a dependable provider for CNC lathe services.
Initially, check out their machines and capabilities. Can they actually manufacture your part?
There is a difference between the ability of a shop to produce a good individual part and a hundred of them. Quality control systems play a big role.
Clear communication is very crucial to prevent problems. Good feedback from a machinist can save a project a lot of money.
I once participated in a complicated internal groove project. Although it was possible to make the design, it would be very costly. The partner shop’s machinist made a small design suggestion. It helped to make it easier to design products. His suggestion was able to save the project nearly 1000 dollars and two weeks of production time. This is how a true partner provides More value.
Designing a part is one thing but designing a part that can be made efficient is another. Design for Manufacturability (DFM) is a way of ensuring that parts are easy to make and cost-effective. Leveraging DFM techniques on turned parts is a powerful approach to cost savings.
Incorporating a few small changes in your design can make a big difference in the final price and lead time. The following tips come from our many years of experience working with CNC lathe services.
You have a design now, and you have also looked for a partner. What are the next steps? Having a general feeling of how the workflow looks helps you to know what you should expect. The process is usually clear and simple.
CNC lathe services are a great way to manufacture accurate circular pieces. A few key factors will decide the fortuity. You should know when to use this method. You should choose a good material. You should design your part for easy manufacturing.
The most important of it all is to find a good and communicative manufacturing partner. If you follow this guide you can navigate through every step confidently. Your designs can be transformed into high-quality components.
Lead times may vary based on the manufacturing complexity of the parts, available quantity, and the type of material used. Simple parts made from readily available materials can usually be delivered in 5 to 10 business days. More complex jobs or larger quantities may take several weeks.
Yes, the majority of CNC lathe service providers deal with single prototypes. They can even handle low to high volume production. Note that the single part price will be higher than the cost-per-part in a larger batch because of the setup costs.
These are the terms that are often likely used interchangeably. Nevertheless, “turning center” usually implies a more advanced lathe. It can be fitted with extra tooling, which can mill, drill, or tap-components in a single setup.
A 3D CAD model, like a .STEP, .STP, or .IGS file, is the best format; however, it is also very helpful to include a 2D PDF drawing. The drawing should clearly show all tolerances, materials, finishes, and other important details.
CNC lathing has set up costs for programming and tooling. So, ordering more part quantities will spread the fixed costs. This will give you a much lower cost per part. Ordering in higher quantities is almost always more economic.
