What are the common equipment and characteristics of cnc machining?

Machine processing is a crucial step in the manufacturing industry, involving the process of transforming raw materials into the desired shapes and sizes through methods such as cutting, grinding, and drilling. To achieve high precision and efficiency in processing, there are numerous types of machine processing equipment, each with its own unique features. This article will provide a detailed introduction to several common machine processing equipment, including their functions, characteristics, and the types of components they are suitable for.

1. Lathes Machine

Function and Characteristics:

The lathe is one of the most basic and common machine processing equipment, mainly used for processing rotational symmetrical workpieces. The lathe performs cutting by rotating the workpiece and the linear movement of the tool. It is suitable for processing cylindrical, conical and threaded parts. The lathe is easy to operate, has a wide range of applications, and can perform both rough and finish machining. It is often used in single-piece, small-batch production and for repairing parts.

Applicable components:

Axial parts (such as transmission shafts)

Cylindrical parts (such as bearing rings)

Conical parts (such as taper joints)

Various types of threads (such as bolts and nuts)

2. Milling Machine

Function and Characteristics:

The milling machine cuts the workpiece by rotating multiple-edge cutting tools, processing complex shapes such as planes, grooves, and formed surfaces. There are various types of milling machines, including horizontal milling machines, vertical milling machines, and CNC milling machines (CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control). Among them, CNC milling machines have the advantages of high automation, high processing accuracy, and high efficiency, and are suitable for batch production and processing of complex parts.

Applicable components:

Planar parts (such as machine bases)

Slot-type parts (such as key slots, guide rails)

Complex-shaped parts (such as molds)

Curved surface parts (such as impellers)

3. Drilling Machine

Function and Characteristics:

Drilling machines are mainly used for machining holes on workpieces, including drilling, reaming, and tapping. The operation of drilling machines is simple, but there are high requirements for the diameter and depth of the machined holes. Common types of drilling machines include bench drilling machines, vertical drilling machines, and CNC drilling machines. CNC drilling machines can achieve efficient and high-precision hole machining through program control.

Applicable components:

The holes on various components (such as the bolt holes on flanges)

Deep-hole components (such as the cylinder holes in an engine block)

Precision hole-type parts (such as the tiny holes on the fuel injector)

4. Grinding Machine

Function and Characteristics:

The grinding machine performs high-precision grinding on the workpiece using grinding tools, aiming to achieve precise dimensions and a smooth surface. The types of grinding machines include flat grinding machines, cylindrical grinding machines, internal cylindrical grinding machines, and centerless grinding machines, etc. Grinding machines have high processing accuracy and can process materials with higher hardness. They are widely used in the processing of components that require high precision and high smoothness.

Applicable components:

Precision shaft-type parts (such as precision spindles)

High-hardness parts (such as quenched gears)

Planar parts (such as precision mold plates)

Round hole parts (such as the inner and outer rings of rolling bearings)

5. Numerical Control Machine Tools

Function and Characteristics:

CNC machine tools are controlled by computer programs and perform automated processing on workpieces. CNC machine tools include CNC lathes, CNC milling machines, CNC grinders, etc. They have the characteristics of high processing accuracy, high efficiency, flexible operation and strong adaptability, and are particularly suitable for large-scale production of complex shapes and high-precision parts.

Applicable components:

Complex geometric shape parts (such as aircraft engine blades)

High-precision parts (such as precision gears)

Mass production of parts (such as the shells of electronic components)

Composite material parts (such as carbon fiber components)

6. Electrical Discharge Machining Machine

Function and Characteristics:

Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) utilizes the phenomenon of electrical discharge to process metal materials, and is suitable for the precision machining of difficult-to-machine materials and complex-shaped parts. EDM includes electrical discharge forming machines and electrical discharge wire-cutting machines. The former is used for processing parts with complex shapes such as molds and cavities, while the latter is used for cutting complex contours.

Applicable components:

Mold parts (such as plastic injection molds)

Hard alloy parts (such as hard alloy cutting tools)

- Tiny components (such as miniature bearings)

Complex-shaped parts (such as the mold cavities with complex surfaces)

7. Laser Cutting Machine

Function and Characteristics:

The laser cutting machine uses a high-energy laser beam to cut, engrave and drill materials. It has high processing accuracy and fast cutting speed. It is suitable for cutting metals and non-metallic materials and is widely used in sheet metal processing, advertising production, electronic manufacturing and other fields. The laser cutting machine does not need to touch the workpiece, has a small heat affected zone, and has high processing efficiency.

Applicable components:

Sheet metal parts (such as sheet metal shells)

Precision parts (such as electronic components)

Advertising production items (such as billboards)

Non-metallic materials (such as plastics and woods)

8. Ultrasonic Processing Machine

Function and Characteristics:

The ultrasonic processing machine uses ultrasonic tools with high-frequency vibration to process hard and brittle materials. It is suitable for processing materials such as glass, ceramics, and gemstones that are difficult to process. The ultrasonic processing machine has the advantages of high processing accuracy, good surface quality, and no thermal influence. It is often used for precise micro-processing and processing of special materials.

Applicable components:

Glass components (such as optical lenses)

Ceramic parts (such as ceramic bearings)

Jewelry components (such as watch parts)

Other difficult-to-machine materials (such as silicon carbide parts)

There are various types of machining equipment, each with its own characteristics, suitable for processing different types of components. Lathes are suitable for processing rotational symmetrical parts, milling machines are suitable for processing flat and complex-shaped parts, drilling machines are used for processing various holes, grinding machines are used for processing high-precision and high-polish parts, and CNC machines achieve high-precision and high-efficiency processing through automated program control. Electrical discharge machining machines, laser cutting machines, and ultrasonic machining machines are respectively suitable for processing special materials and complex-shaped parts. Choosing the appropriate machining equipment based on the shape, size, material, and precision requirements of the part is the key to ensuring processing quality and efficiency.