CNC machining has become mainstream in industrial manufacturing due to its advantages such as high flexibility and high precision. During the product manufacturing process, manufacturers use one or more machining processes such as CNC turning and CNC milling.

The process of CNC turning is to remove material fragments while the workpiece rotates relative to the cutting tool. This article will give a comprehensive introduction to the turning process, including its machining procedures, machine tool types and its applications.

What is CNC turning?

First, let’s understand the specific meaning of CNC turning. CNC turning, also known as CNC turning, is a typical subtractive manufacturing process that uses a cutting tool to remove part of the material from the outside of the material. The workpiece is rotated and the tool removes material until it reaches the desired shape, diameter and size of the final product.

However, the cutting tool (usually a single-point end) in the turning process does not rotate. In contrast to the milling process, the workpiece rotates around the cutting tool.

At the same time, CNC lathes are suitable for turning different metals, wood, plastics and other polymers. One of the main advantages of this process is that it produces products with high dimensional accuracy, as it uses computer-generated programs and codes.

CNC Turning Process

You may think that CNC turning operations are quite complex. However, after converting the CAD file into a program that the CNC machine can recognize, you just need to set up the machine and prepare to start the turning process.

The turning process involves rotating the workpiece while the cutting tool begins to cut out pieces of material from the outside. Usually, the material being machined is cylindrical or round. But in some cases, especially when compatible adapters are used, turning can work well on materials with different shapes.

As the workpiece rotates in the machine, the cutting tool continues to cut until the desired programmed shape is achieved. It is worth noting that a CNC lathe or turning center has different tools in its turret, all controlled by computer programs and codes. Therefore, machines that can accommodate more tools are more complex, have more features, and are better suited for complex designs.

Types of Turning Operations

Lathes and CNC turning centers come in different variants, and some have unique cutting features that make them ideal for specific operations. Here is a brief description of the different types of turning operations:

1. Straight Turning

Straight turning is the process of using a cutting tool to uniformly reduce the diameter of a workpiece. This operation can machine material to a specified thickness. It can quickly remove material from the workpiece and prevent inconsistent changes in the workpiece diameter. Straight turning is sometimes called rough turning, and it usually requires additional finishing to achieve dimensional accuracy.

2. Knurling

This turning operation introduces a sawtooth, beveled, or cross-shaped cutting pattern to the surface of the workpiece. Because the pattern enhances friction, this process usually provides a secure grip on the workpiece. It is also suitable for making bolts and nuts for threaded holes. It is worth noting that this turning process requires a specially designed knurling tool.

3. Deep Grooving

Grooving is a turning process that uses a single-point cutting tool to cut a deep groove in the material. It can remove internal components of the workpiece, that is, cut away a portion of the original part.

4. Taper Turning

Tapering is the process of gradually reducing the diameter of the material from one end to the other. The angular movement between the material and the cutting tool causes the transition and reduction in the workpiece diameter. As with most turning operations, the final product of taper turning is cylindrical.

5. Thread Turning

Threading is a special CNC turning process that involves the cutting tool moving along the side of the workpiece material. It cuts a spiral groove of a specific length and pitch on the outside of the workpiece.

6. Grooving

This turning operation forms a narrow cut – a groove – in the workpiece. It uses a pointed tool head to machine the workpiece, and the cutting width is the same as the cutting tool. However, with the help of multiple different cutting tools, it is possible to machine grooves with wider diameters.