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CNC Turning Service

CNC Turning Service

Contract CNC Turning Services and Custom Parts Manufacturing

Custom CNC Turning

In CNC turning, the cutting tool typically moves in a linear fashion while the work piece rotates. This is different from CNC milling, where the work piece is stationary while the cutting tool moves.

Turning is used to create a variety of shapes, including complex designs and geometries. It’s highly efficient for producing parts that are symmetrical around an axis of rotation. Major examples are as cones, cylinders, or shafts.

CNC Turning Machine Operating

CNC Turning vs CNC Milling

CNC Turning CNC Milling
Operation Method In turning, the work piece rotates on a spindle, and the cutting tool is stationary. The tool is fed into the rotating work piece to remove material and produce the desired the shape. It involves using a rotating cutting tool that moves along multiple axes to create shapes, holes and etc in the work piece. The work piece is stationary and the cutting tool moves to remove material.
Parts Produced Ideal for creating cylindrical parts such as rods, shafts, and bushings. It is most effective for parts with a round shape. Ideal for creating complex shapes and features like slots, holes, grooves, and contours. Milling offers more versatility.
Axis of Motion Operate on 2 axes (X and Z). Operate typically on 3 to 5 axes. This multi-axis movement is the key for versatility to be able to produce more complex parts.
Material Removal The work piece spins, and the cutting tool moves linearly, parallel or perpendicular to the axis of the work piece. The cutting tool rotates against the work piece, cutting away material as it moves along different axes.

Turning Materials

Metals

  • Carbon Steel

  • Aluminium
  • Stainless Steel
  • Brass
  • Copper
  • Zinc Alloys
CNC Turning Parts
Plastics

  • PA (Polyamide nylon)
  • POM (Polyoxymethylene)

  • PMMA (Acrylic)

  • PC (Polycarbonate)
  • (PEEK)
  • ABS
CNC Plastic Turning

Quality Control

  • Purpose: To identify obvious defects such as surface scratches, tool marks, or burrs.
  • Tools: Magnifying glass, microscopes, or the naked eye.
  • Applications: Initial screening to ensure parts meet visual quality expectations.
  • Purpose: To measure the dimensions of parts to ensure they meet specified tolerances.
  • Tools: Calipers, Micrometers, Height Gauges, CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine), Go/No-Go Gauges
  • Purpose: To inspect the first part produced to verify the setup and ensure compliance with specifications before full production.
  • Documentation: Detailed inspection reports for traceability.
  • Purpose: To evaluate the smoothness or roughness of a part’s surface.
  • Tools:
    • Profilometers: Measure surface roughness (Ra, Rz).
    • Comparators: Visual reference charts for surface textures.

Precision Turning Service

Design for Turning

  • Prioritize Simplicity: Opt for straightforward geometries to reduce costs and manufacturing complexities.
  • Specify Tolerances Wisely: Overly tight tolerances can increase production costs. Define them based on functional needs.
  • Material Selection: Choose materials that balance performance and machinability. Aluminum and mild steel are economical for prototyping.
  • Include Finishing Allowances: Allow for material removal during surface finishing processes like polishing or anodizing.
  • Secure holding: Design the part to be easy to fix and hold securely.

CNC Turning Machines Types

  • 2-Axis Lathes: These are the most basic CNC lathes, designed for simple turning operations.

  • Multi-Axis Lathes: Machines with additional axes (such as Y-axis or sub-spindles) enable more complex machining, including milling and drilling, in a single setup.

  • Swiss-Type Lathes: Ideal for small, high-precision parts, Swiss lathes support the workpiece with a guide bushing, minimizing deflection and increasing accuracy.

  • Vertical Lathes: Used for machining large, heavy components, such as those found in cement, mining and energy industries.

CNC Turning Machine

Frequently Produced Products

Shafts

  • Shafts are long, cylindrical pieces used to transmit power or motion in various appplications.

Pins

  • Pins are used in various applications, including as hinge pins, dowels, or locator pins in machinery and equipment.

CNC Turning Pins

Bushings

  • Cylindrical linings designed to provide a protective interface between two parts in mechanical systems.
CNC Turning Bushing

Spacers

  • Creating a space between two components in an assembly to ensure proper positioning and alignment.

CNC Turning Spacers

Pulleys

  • Pulleys support movement and change of direction of a belt in industrial machines

CNC Turning Pulleys

Pistons

  • Creating a space between two components in an assembly to ensure proper positioning and alignment.

CNC Turning Pistons
CNC Turning Part

CNC Turning Advantages

  • High Precision and Consistency: CNC turning machines can fabricate parts with tight tolerance.
  • Complex Designs and Geometries: It’s possible to create complex shapes and designs with CNC Turning.
  • Increased Efficiency and Productivity: CNC machines can operate continuously and faster than manual lathes without compromising the precision.
  • Flexibility and Versatility: CNC turning machines can work with a wide range of materials, from various metals to plastics.

  • Reduced Labour Costs: As CNC machines are automated, they require fewer operators, reducing labour costs.

  • Improved Safety: CNC turning doesn’t require manual operation which reduces the risk of accidents in the workplace.

  • Lower Error Rate: The precision of CNC machines significantly reduces the error rate compared to manual turning.

  • Easy Replication and Scalability: Once a design is programmed into the CNC machine, it can be easily replicated any number of times, which is particularly beneficial for large-scale production runs.

  • Integration with CAD/CAM Software: CNC turning machines can be integrated with CAD and CAM software.

CNC Turning Costs

Cost Driver Description
Material Costs
  • Exotic materials like titanium or Inconel can significantly increase costs due to their higher price and machining difficulty.
  • Common materials like aluminium or mild steel are more budget-friendly.
Turning Time
  • Complex geometries, tight tolerances, and small radii increase machining time.
  • High-speed CNC lathes and optimized tool paths can mitigate time-related costs.
Tooling Costs
  • Specialized tools (e.g., threading tools or custom inserts) may have upfront costs but can reduce machining time for recurring jobs.
Post-Processing
  • Additional steps like deburring, heat treatment, or coating (anodizing, plating) add to the overall cost.
Setup Costs
  • For low-volume production, setup costs (programming, tooling) are significant. For high-volume orders, these costs are distributed, reducing the per-unit price.
CNC Turning Parts

How can we help you ?

CNC Turning Services are indispensable to industrial projects and their success depends on the careful selection of contractors

Novelty Structures stands out as a reliable partner in providing high-quality CNC Turning Parts tailored to demanding industrial needs.

Contact our team to further discuss your needs.

FAQ

What types of parts can be made with CNC turning?2024-12-31T21:43:51+00:00

CNC turning is perfect for creating parts like:

  • Cylindrical components
  • Screws and bolts
  • Shafts and rods
  • Bushings and spacers
  • Threaded components
  • Custom fittings
What is the typical turnaround time for CNC turning projects?2024-12-31T21:44:26+00:00

Turnaround time depends on the complexity of the part, quantity, and current workload. For simple parts, the lead time is usually 2-5 days, while complex or high-volume projects may take 1-2 weeks.

Are there any design limitations for CNC turning?2024-12-31T21:44:59+00:00

CNC turning is best suited for parts with rotational symmetry. However, features like grooves, threads, and complex contours can be added. Non-cylindrical designs may require additional CNC milling operations.

What is the cost of CNC turning services?2024-12-31T21:45:47+00:00

Pricing depends on factors like:

  • Material type
  • Part complexity
  • Tolerances and surface finish requirements
  • Quantity of parts
Can secondary operations like finishing be included?2024-12-31T21:46:22+00:00

Yes, many CNC turning services offer secondary processes, including:

  • Polishing
  • Anodizing
  • Plating (e.g., chrome or zinc plating)
  • Heat treatment
  • Surface grinding
What types of machines are used in CNC turning?2024-12-31T21:46:51+00:00

 

  • Lathes: Standard CNC lathes for basic turning operations.
  • Swiss-style Lathes: For small, intricate parts.
  • Multi-axis CNC Turning Centers: Combine turning and milling for complex parts in a single setup.
Can CNC turning create custom threads?2024-12-31T21:47:21+00:00

Yes, CNC turning can produce custom internal and external threads in both metric and imperial standards.

What surface finishes can be achieved with CNC turning?2024-12-31T21:47:58+00:00

CNC turning can produce parts with varying surface finishes, such as:

  • As-machined: Basic finish from the cutting tool.
  • Polished: Smooth, reflective surfaces.
  • Matte: Non-reflective surfaces.
  • Bead blasting: For uniform textures.
  • Anodizing or plating: For enhanced durability or aesthetics.
What is the difference between 2-axis, 3-axis, and multi-axis CNC turning?2024-12-31T21:48:47+00:00
  • 2-axis turning: Basic lathes for cylindrical and symmetrical parts.
  • 3-axis turning: Adds a milling tool for additional features like slots or flat surfaces.
  • Multi-axis turning: Combines turning and milling on multiple axes for complex, asymmetrical parts.
How does CNC turning handle complex geometries?2024-12-31T21:49:22+00:00

Modern CNC lathes with live tooling and multi-axis capabilities can handle complex geometries, including:

  • Grooves and slots
  • Undercuts
  • Tapered or contoured surfaces
  • Off-center holes
How can I reduce the cost of CNC turning?2024-12-31T21:49:54+00:00
  • Optimize part design to minimize complex features.
  • Choose readily available materials.
  • Order larger quantities to lower the cost per unit.
  • Use tolerances only as tight as necessary for functionality.

Knowledge Hub

Gear Manufacturing
Flanges
Shaft Manufacturing
CNC Turning Service
CNC Milling Parts

Novelty Steel offers Turkish steel fabrication solutions to various industries with broad scope of applications.

For all inquiries please contact : info@noveltystructures.com

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