The term “CNC turning tools” refers to the various parts used by CNC machines to cut, drill, and otherwise shape and prepare precision-engineered parts; check out http://www.cam-machine.com/cnc-turning/ to find out more. If you wish to engage in CNC machining (either professionally or at home), it’s vital to have an in-depth understanding of what each of the various CNC turning tools available does—before you attempt to take on a project. A general overview of the more commonly-used CNC tools is provided below:
CNC Machine Drills
As the name suggests, these tools function in much the same way as a hand-held drill does, boring holes into various parts as required. A CNC machine drill is, however, far more accurate than a manual drill can be as CNC drills are controlled by the precise calibrations of CNC software rather than relying on fallible human dexterity. CNC drills can also repeat the same drilling action exactly over hundreds of iterations.
CNC Lathes
CNC lathes are, along with drills, the most essential of CNC turning tools. CNC lathes, under the direction of CNC software, rotate parts so that a cutting blade can shear away excess material. Lathes are used in almost every CNC operation; aside from cutting, they are used when sanding, drilling, deforming, and knurling. (Note that cutting fluid is general employed to remove the plentiful debris created by lathes; debris should not be removed by other means while the machine is running.)
CNC Mills
CNC milling machines are usually employed when more complex parts must be created. CNC mills carefully guide parts (which are mounted on a movable table) around a rotating cutter, allowing for extremely fine work to be performed. Alternately, CNC mills can often be adjusted so that the cutter moves along predetermined paths while the table remains fixed in position, allowing for even greater versatility in the kind of parts CNC mills can create. If you have ever seen delicate engraving work, you have witnessed the kind of precision CNC mills are capable of.
Specialised CNC Machines
While the above three types of CNC turning tools will handle most operations, sometimes extremely specialised cutting and contouring is needed (e.g. when cutting an unusually tiny part). For such operations, one may have to use either an electrical discharge machine (which uses electric pulses to vaporise metals), a CNC plasma cutting machine (useful for very thick pieces of material), or a laser cutting machine. Laser cutters are the most accurate form of CNC tool available, and—as they completely melt or vaporise away excess material as they cut—they are reputed to create the highest-quality finish possible.
Lastly, if you find yourself in a situation where you wish to work with a material that is very sensitive to heat damage, there is a final type of CNC tool available: The water jet cutter. Water jet cutting machines rely on highly-pressurised streams of water which cut via erosion, making them safe for use with plastics which would melt if cut by other common types of CNC tool.
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