Within the CNC industry, there are many different terms that you will hear. You may be confused between the different types of machining that are commonly used nowadays. In the past you would hear the terms milling and turning. In a modern day CNC shop you will hear the terms routing, milling, turning, plasma cutting, laser cutting, multi-axis and many more. This article from CNC routing Bristol experts is designed to help you differentiate between the different processes that are find in CNC today.
CNC Routing Bristol : Routing Versus Milling
Two terms that are sometimes used interchangeably are routing and milling. They are two different processes. Routers are designed to cut softer materials. However, what is classed as a soft material can overlap with materials that are used in milling. There is a wide range of materials that are used with CNC routing Bristol. These include wood, plastic, and soft metals like aluminium.
A CNC milling machine on the other hand is almost always used for cutting metal. They can cut any type of metal, from the softest to hard metals like titanium. This is where you will find some confusion, as soft metals like aluminium can be used with a CNC router or with a CNC milling machine. A milling machine is far more diverse than a router for other reasons however and not just the type of materials that it can cut. A milling machine will cut far thicker materials than a CNC router can. CNC routers can only operate on a vertical or horizontal configuration. CNC milling machines can work on multiple axes, some of the most modern machines found in CNC machine shops across the UK working on up to 7 axes.
CNC Routing : Setting of Machines
A CNC router is generally mounted on a set table. This allows or the spindle to work in an X Y Z configuration. As CNC routers are designed for cutting only thinner pieces of material, they will normally have a shallow clearance. Milling machines will generally have the spindle set above the device, allowing for more clearance.
It should be noted that CNC routers do not offer the same levels of precision that modern CNC milling machines do. A modern CNC milling machine can work to a precision of 1,000th of an inch when cutting metal. On the flipside, a CNC router will cut at a higher speed than a CNC milling machine. Milling machines work at around 1,000 RPM. A CNC router can work with an RPM of up to 18,000. But here it is important to remember that the quicker machine does not provide the higher level of precision.
CNC Turning Versus Milling
Once again, there is a difference between turning and milling like there is between turning and routing. The main difference to be noted here is that in CNC turning the workpiece will rotate. In CNC milling, it is the tool that will rotate and the workpiece will remain clamped in one place.
CNC turning is most commonly used for workpieces that are cylindrical. This method is used in order to reduce the diameter of the work piece. In CNC facing, the operation that is carried out will reduce the length of the piece being worked on.
In CNC milling, material is removed from the workpiece as the cutter rotates. Finally, most milling tools are multipoint tools, whereas those used in turning and facing are single point tools.
When learning about the CNC industry and CNC routing Bristol, it is important to be able to differentiate between the different processes. In a modern CNC machining shop you will find a wide variety of techniques being used. Old fashioned manually controlled machines are on the other hand becoming almost obsolete in the modern day world. CNC controlled machines provide more accuracy and speed, and as they can be operated from a remote point, safety is also better.
If you are looking for a machine as a hobbyist, you may decide to invest in a CNC router. As these are set on tables, they are the perfect option for your workshop. Hobbyist machines can be as simple or as complex as you want them to be. Once you become more confident in CNC and have learned the basics of G Code, you can update your machine or buy add-ons that will allow you to make different and more interesting workpieces.
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