CNC turning or “Computer Numerical Control” turning is associated with the industrial machining process. It is a subtracting machining process in which rotation of the workpiece takes place along with the removal of excess material through a single-point cutting tool for designing the final part. This rotation can be either in vertical or horizontal orientation. The vertical orientation is used majorly when large radius workpieces relative to their length have to be shaped.
This turning process helps fabricate contoured cylindrical parts while providing repeatability, exceptional accuracy, high precision, and cost-effectiveness. In addition, it helps in producing external surfaces of different industrial parts using cutting operations. Being carried out on a turning centre or lathe, it is controlled with the help of a computer. It uses digital code for controlling all the movements of the tool, spinning speed, and other actions such as coolant usage.
The materials that can be used with CNC turning include wood, plastic, metal, foam, glass, and composites. With the help of turning, a wide range of shapes can be given to the workpiece, such as cylinders, cones, disks, polygonal, hexagonal, or a combination of these shapes with axial symmetry. It is helpful in both small batches and mass production. Since it can produce a great number of the same component quickly, it is preferred over 3D printing and CNC milling services.
What are the different types of lathes?
There are different types of lathes, but there is a difference between CNC lathes and conventional lathes. CNC lathe has six machining axes along with different milling tool options. In contrast, the conventional lathe has just two axes.
#1. Horizontal CNC lathe
Horizontal CNC lathe, one of the most commonly used lathe machines, has capabilities equivalent to a conventional lathe. The exception is that they are controlled through a computer and are used for boring and turning.
#2. Vertical CNC lathe
Vertical CNC lathe machines hold the component to be worked upon from the bottom instead of holding it horizontally. These machines are primarily used in workshops with space constraints or on those workpieces that are heavy and stout.
#3. Horizontal turning centers
Horizontal turning centers refer to enclosed CNC lathes that combine capabilities of milling and drilling. They have a turret, tooling axes, tailstock, and coolant flooding that are separated from the conveyor belt and carriage.
#4. Vertical turning centers
Vertical turning centers are a hybrid of CNC mill and horizontal turning center.
