CNC Turning Service
Custom Precision Part CNC Turning Service
With access to a network of over 11,000 shops including those with CNC lathes and turning centers, Mold7 provides you with the capacity and capabilities your project needs, while also delivering the most competitive pricing and lead times. Our machine learning-trained technology platform also provides instant manufacturability feedback to ensure that your part is optimized for the CNC turning process and fits the requirements you need. Our on-demand manufacturing platform can deliver high-quality metal and plastic CNC turning parts for rapid prototyping or low-to-high volume production runs.
What is CNC Turning Service?
The Basics Of CNC Lathes
A CNC lathe machine, also called live tooling lathes, is ideal for cutting any symmetrical cylindrical or spherical parts. Characteristically, a lathe spins a workpiece on a vertical or horizontal axis, while a fixed shaping instrument moves around it on a more or less linear path. The act of cutting a workpiece on a CNC lathe is called turning.
How CNC Turning Works
CNC lathes use a subtractive method to create the desired shape. With the G-Code created, a blank bar of stock material is loaded into the chuck of the lathe's spindle. The chuck holds the workpiece in place while the spindle spins. When the spindle is up to speed, a stationary cutting tool is brought into contact with the workpiece to remove material until the desired geometry is achieved.
There are many operations that can be performed on a live tooling lathe, including facing, threading, knurling, drilling, boring, reaming, and taper turning. Different operations require tool changes and can increase cost and set-up time.
When all machining operations are completed, the part is cut from the stock for further post-processing. The CNC lathe is then ready to repeat the operation with little-to-no set-up time in between.
CNC Turning Materials
Aluminum 5052,
Aluminum 7075,
Aluminum 7075-T6,
Aluminum 6063-T5,
Aluminum 7050-T7451,
Aluminum MIC-6,
Aluminum 6061-T6,
Aluminum 2024-T3
Brass C360,
Brass 260,
C932 M07 Bearing Bronze
EPT Copper C110,
Copper 101
ABS,
Acetal [Delrin],
Acrylic,
G-10 Garolite,
Nylon 6/6,
PEEK,
Polycarbonate,
PTFE [Teflon],
Polypropylene,
Ultra-High Molecular Weight, Polyethylene
Alloy Steel 4130,
Alloy Steel 4140,
ASTM A36,
Stainless Steel 15-5,
Stainless Steel 17-4,
Stainless Steel 18-8,
Stainless Steel 303,
Stainless Steel 304,
Stainless Steel 316/316L,
Stainless Steel 416,
Stainless Steel 420,
Steel 1018,
Steel A36
Zinc Sheet Alloy 500
CNC Turning Tolearances
CNC Turning Surface Finishes
The finish option with the quickest turnaround. Parts are left with visible tool marks and potentially sharp edges and burrs, which can be removed upon request. Surface finish is comparable to 125 uin Ra finish.
This is a process where powdered paint is sprayed onto a part which is then baked in an oven. This creates a strong, wear- and corrosion-resistant layer that is more durable than standard painting methods. A wide variety of colors are available to create the desired aesthetic.
FAQs List of CNC Turning Services
CNC Machining is perfect for production of 1-10,000 CNC machined parts.
CNC turning is a manufacturing process that uses computer-controlled machines to create cylindrical parts by removing material from a rotating workpiece.
Common materials include metals (such as aluminum, brass, and steel), plastics, and wood.
CNC turning involves creating cylindrical parts by removing material from a rotating workpiece, while CNC milling involves cutting away material to create a 3D shape.
CNC turning is ideal for creating parts such as shafts, pins, and connectors.
CAD software is used to create a 3D model of the part that is then used to generate the toolpaths for the CNC turning machine.
CAM software is used to generate the toolpaths that tell the machine how to remove material from the workpiece to create the desired shape.
Common cutting tools include drills, end mills, and boring tools.
The lathe holds and rotates the workpiece while the cutting tool removes material to create the desired shape.
The chuck holds the workpiece in place while it rotates during the turning process.
The tailstock provides support to the workpiece during the turning process and can be used to hold cutting tools.
A CNC lathe is controlled by a computer and can produce more complex parts with greater precision than a manual lathe.
The operator is responsible for setting up the machine, selecting the appropriate tools, and monitoring the turning process.
CNC turning is ideal for creating small parts with high precision and accuracy.
Common challenges include tool wear, vibration, and chip removal.
CNC Turning Frequently Asked Questions
Cutting speed affects the rate at which material is removed and can impact the quality and accuracy of the finished part.
Feed rate refers to the speed at which the cutting tool moves through the material and can impact the quality and accuracy of the finished part.
Spindle speed determines the rotational speed of the workpiece and can impact the quality and accuracy of the finished part.
Coolant helps to lubricate and cool the cutting tool, which can improve the quality and accuracy of the finished part.
Fixturing refers to the process of holding the workpiece in place to ensure accuracy and consistency during the turning process.
Manufacturers can use quality control measures such as testing and inspection to ensure that their parts meet the required specifications for dimensional accuracy and surface finish.
Tooling includes cutting tools, tool holders, and other components that are used to shape the workpiece during the CNC turning process.
The turret holds multiple cutting tools and can be rotated to select the appropriate tool for the job.
CNC turning can be faster and more efficient than other machining processes because it allows for greater precision and accuracy.
G-code is a programming language that is used to control CNC machines, including CNC turning machines.
CNC turning can be used in a variety of industries, including aerospace, automotive, and medical device manufacturing.
The collet holds the cutting tool in place and can be used to change out tools during the turning process.
Common strategies include roughing, finishing, and facing.
CNC turning allows for greater precision and accuracy, which reduces waste and increases efficiency in the manufacturing process.
Regular maintenance and calibration are essential for ensuring that CNC turning machines are operating at peak performance. Manufacturers can implement a maintenance and calibration schedule to ensure that their machines are in optimal condition.
Benefits Of CNC Turning Service
Like CNC mills, CNC lathes can be easily set up for high repeatability, which makes them great for everything from rapid prototyping to low and high-volume production. Multi-axis CNC turning centers and Swiss-type lathes allow for multiple machining operations in one machine. making them a cost-effective option for complex geometries that would otherwise require multiple machines or tool changes in a traditional CNC mill.
Types Of CNC Lathes
There are many types of lathes, but the most common are 2-axis CNC lathes and Swiss-type lathes. Swiss-type lathes are unique in that stock material is fed through a guide bushing, allowing the tool to cut nearer to the point of support, which makes them particularly useful for long, slender CNC lathe parts and micromachining. Some Swiss-type lathes also come equipped with a second tool head that operates as a CNC mill, allowing them to perform multiple machining operations without having to move the workpiece to a different machine. This makes Swiss-type lathes extremely cost-effective for complex turned parts with CNC lathe services.
