Machining Archives - East Valley Precision

Machining operations have many various types to suit different requirements. These various types of machining processes are:

Conventional Machining Operations

Conventional machining operations are the traditional machining operations. These operations use tangible tools such as drill bits and cutting blades to achieve the machining action. The various types of conventional machining operations are:

Milling

The milling process employs a high-speed spinning cutting tool against a motionless workpiece. It works through a manual or automated milling machine. The cutting tools in milling machines have different shape choices. Based on the choices of cutting tools, there are a lot of different types of milling processes. General instances are end-milling machines, knee milling, face milling machine, etc.

Boring

The boring process is utilized to enlarge pre-drilled holes. The enlargement is accomplished with a single point cutting device. At the onset, a small hole is drilled with the use of a drill press or any other substitute. Boring devices can be attached to milling machines, lathes, and drill presses.

Broaching

Broaching employs a toothed cutting device for removing material from workpieces. The tool used in broaching is known as a broach. Broach takes a miniscule amount of material from a workpiece in a single move. It is used for making niche characteristics in workpieces.

Drilling

Drilling is used to make holes in workpieces. The holes are utilized for screws or artistic purposes. Drilling processes are the most typical kind of machining operation. Drilling is performed on a drill press. Drill presses can be hand driven, or CNC machine attached. The cutting tools are known as drill bits.

Grinding

Grinding is a subsidiary finishing process for improving a surfaces finish. It utilizes an abrasive rotary disc known as a grinding wheel. Grinding operations can smooth the flaws caused on a workpiece because of other machining methods. These grinders can also improve the spatial accuracy of workpieces.

Turning

Through turning, workpieces rotate around a center axis. The cutting tool is motionless and removes symmetrically from the workpiece’s surface. Turning processes are generally carried out on conical and cylindrical shaped objects. Workpieces can either be solid or hollow.

Reaming

Reaming is used to improve the precision and quality of holes. Reaming processes are used for the subsidiary finishing of a workpiece hole. It can make the holes diameter more precise, round, and with a slick surface finish. Reaming employs multi-point cutting devices. Reaming machines are known as reamers. The reaming operation follows holes produced by drilling or boring.

Planing

Planing is utilized for machining an entire surface in a single move. These machines can smoothen the whole surface of workpieces. It can also create slanted surfaces. They can also create niche characteristics on surfaces.

Sawing

Sawing utilizes a cutting tool to “saw” through workpieces. This cutting tool can be jagged or have serrated bands on the blade. Sawing is used to split workpieces into smaller portions. It is not as precise as other machining operations.

Water Jet Machining

Water jet machining is a cold-cutting method. It uses the power of high-pressurized water with a very precise stream. This stream can penetrate through harder materials in addition to softer materials easily. Abrasive particles are usually added to the water to quicken up the cutting process.

In conclusion

Traditional and non-traditional machining processes can offer better results than any other choice. The decision between the different kinds of machining operations is going to depend on priorities like expenses, preciseness, and machining speed you require. Based upon the information presented above, you can decide which machining operation is going to provide the best outcome for your needs.

East Valley Precision – Custom Machinery Specialists

East Valley Precision offers custom CNC Turning in the Chandler, Arizona and surrounding areas. When you need precision CNC turning and milling contact East Valley Precision. Call us at 480-288-6601 for more information or use our form for a quote.

Machining is a manufacturing technique in which the desired shape is produced by removing material from a larger piece. It is used for creating finished products and for raw material processes. These processes are also referred to as subtractive manufacturing processes. Complicated parts usually require the use of several machining processes along with each other.

A lot of machining processes have high command over the material removal for maximum accuracy. Just about all materials, including metals, ceramics, wood, plastics, glass, etc., support machining processes.

How Machining Works?

Machining processes are reliant on a machine tool to work on the raw material to create the wanted shape. Today’s machine tools are mainly automated. They use built-in computing to translate the commands and work on the piece. The technique of commands is subject to the type of technology that the machine uses. A lot of current machining tools are based on Computer Numerical Control (CNC), in which utilizes CAM programming.

Various Phases of Machining Processes

Machining processes go through several phases to complete the pieces production. These various stages are:

Designing Piece: For machine-driven production using a CNC machine, a graphic design of the piece is created. It then gets saved as a Computer Aided Design (CAD) file. Minute adjustments and hand-operated machining may not require designs.

Creating Computer Aided Manufacturing File: The CAM file includes the G-code that the machine can comprehend. The programmer transforms the CAD file into CAM form. An operator then loads the file into the machine. For a machine that doesn’t have CNC, the CAM file is not required.

Machine Configuration: Each machine requires to be configured before initiating the machining process. Configuration includes loading the piece, adjusting the machine settings, and guaranteeing tight connections.

Machining: The machine starts initiating once the configuration is complete. The configuration is done in front of an operator.

Removal: The finished piece is then removed from the machine. It is then sent for secondary assembly or added machining processes as required.

Different Types of Machining Operations

The extent of applications of the machining process have led to the advent of many kinds of machining processes and operations. The following eleven most notable machining kinds are:

Milling
Boring
Broaching
Drilling
Grinding
Turning
Reaming
Planing
Sawing
Water Jet Cutting

Learn more about the types of machining operations

Advantages of Machining

A typically asked question concerning machining is ‘Does machining come with any advantages?’ Assessing the advantages of machining turns even more prevalent when considering the close competitiveness with additive manufacturing methods. Below are some of the advantages that machining provides:

Unlimited Materials:

Machining methods can work on all kinds of materials. This is a significant advantage over additive manufacturing methods which work only on a restricted set of materials.

Surface Finish:

The machining process produce a very smooth surface on the work piece. An even further smoothness can be attained with processes such as grinding. Processes such as etching can further push the boundaries of what is possible in surface finishing terms.

Precision:

CNC machining provides some of the most minute tolerances in industrial manufacturing methods. In A lot of CNC machining processes falls under the umbrella terminology of ‘precision machining’. These tolerances could be as low as +/- 0.001″.

Rate of Production:

CNC machining are high-speed processes. As a result, it can easily fulfill the need of mass production. In addition, methods such as multi-axis machining further speeds up the rate of production.

Consistency:

The machining process is highly dependable in terms of results. Consistency is a significant requirement for most sectors. Machining methods always produce matching parts.

Less Labor Intensive:

CNC machines are highly automated devices. It unburdens most of the human labor for other high-priority duties. CNC machines generally require labor only for loading and un-loading of pieces. Other than that, only one operator is adequate to manage the machine operations.