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On the vast stage of modern manufacturing,CNC milling technology has become an indispensable partwith its high precision, high efficiency and wide material adaptability. CNC milling uses a computer program to precisely control the motion trajectory of the tool and perform precise cutting on the workpiece. This technology has shown strong application potential in many fields such as automobiles, aerospace, medical, electronics, furniture, etc. The reason why CNC milling can play a role in such a wide range of fields is largely due to its ability to process a variety of materials. This article will take an in-depth look at the types ofmaterials commonly used in CNC milling, revealing their respective characteristics and application advantages.

What is the principle of CNC milling?

Theprinciple of CNC millingis mainly based on the process of material removal from the workpiece by rotating multi-point cutting tools under computer control.

1.Movement of cutting tools and workpieces

During theCNC milling process, the tool rotates at high speed through the spindle to form the main motion. At the same time, the workpiece moves relative to the tool, which is called feed motion. When the tool needs to complete main movement and feed movement at the same time, the workpiece can also be fixed.

2.The role of cutting force

When the cutting part of the tool comes into contact with the surface of the workpiece, cutting force is generated, which is the key to removing the surface material of the workpiece. The size of the cutting force is related to many factors, including the number of cutting edges, edge angle, rotation speed, feed rate, cutting depth and other parameters.

3.Material removal

Under the action of cutting force, the cutting edge of the tool cuts along the surface of the workpiece, gradually removing excess material from the workpiece. The cutting process can be carried out on multiple surfaces of the workpiece and is achieved by moving the tool in three axes.

4.Processing parameters

Important parameters in CNC millinginclude cutting speed, feed rate and depth of cut. Cutting speed is the average linear speed of the tool relative to the workpiece surface and determines the rate of material removal. Feed speed refers to the feed amount of the tool per unit time, which affects the roughness of the machined surface and processing efficiency. Depth of cut is the depth of the workpiece during each cut and determines the amount of material removed per cut.

5.Processing effect

By adjusting the above parameters, you can control the milling processing effect, including processing accuracy, surface roughness, processing efficiency, etc. Reasonable selection of cutting amount and tool type can achieve high-precision control of the shape and size of the workpiece.

6.Milling machine type

CNC milling is usually performed on milling machines, and there are many types of milling machines, such ashorizontal milling machines, vertical milling machines, gantry milling machines, etc. These milling machines are suitable for processing tasks of different sizes and complexity and are indispensable equipment in modern manufacturing.

What Materials Are Used in CNC Milling？

There are manytypes of materials commonly used in CNC milling, covering a variety of materials with different properties to meet the needs of different industries and fields. Here is a list of some commonly usedCNC milling materials:

1. Metal materials

Metal materials are one of the most common and widely usedmaterials in CNC Milling. They have high strength, good corrosion resistance and thermal conductivity, and can meet various complex and precise processing needs. Common metal materials include:

Material	Feature
Aluminum	Offers excellent machinability, high strength-to-weight ratio, and superior corrosion resistance, making it perfect for lightweight, durable machined parts.
Stainless steel	Stainless steel offers superior corrosion resistance, high strength, excellent toughness and ease of fabrication, ideal for demanding machining operations.
Copper	Copper displays excellent thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity and plasticity. It is also highly ductile, corrosion resistant and can be easily welded.
Titanium	Titanium It’s a metal with excellent strength-to-weight ratio, low thermal expansion, high corrosion resistance; sterilizable and biocompatible for machining.
Brass	Brass has desirable properties for a number of applications. It is low friction, has excellent electrical conductivity and has a golden (brass) appearance.

2.Plastic material

Plastic is also a very popular choice for CNC millingdue to its wide range of options, relatively low prices, and the significantly faster machining times required. Here are some commonCNC milling plastic materials:

1. ABS plastic:ABS plastic is a terpolymer of three monomers: acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene. It has the characteristics of easily available raw materials, good overall performance, cheap price, and wide range of uses. It is tough, hard and rigid and is a widely used material in the manufacturing industry and chemical industry. It is often used in home appliance casings and automobile parts.
2. Nylon (PA):Nylon is a polymer containing amide groups in the repeating units of the macromolecular main chain. It has the characteristics of toughness, wear resistance, self-lubrication, and wide operating temperature range. It is widely used to replace copper and non-ferrous metals in the production of mechanical, chemical and electrical parts, such as diesel engine fuel pump gears, water pumps, high-pressure seals, oil pipelines, etc.
3. Polyoxymethylene resin (POM):POM material is a kind of synthetic resin, also called polyoxymethylene resin. It has the characteristics of high hardness, light weight, high rigidity and high wear resistance. It is often used to replace metal plastics and is commonly used in gears, bearings, auto parts, machine tools, daily necessities, pipes and accessories, precision instruments and building materials and other sectors.
4. Organic glass (PMMA):Organic glass is divided into four types: colorless transparent, colored transparent, pearlescent, and embossed organic glass. It has good transparency, chemical stability, mechanical properties and weather resistance, is easy to dye and process, and has a beautiful appearance. It is often used in lamps and decorations.
5. Polycarbonate (PC):PC is a thermoplastic engineering plastic with high mechanical, optical, electrical and thermal properties. It is extremely tough and easy to process, making it suitable for a variety of uses, such as household appliances, automotive lighting, medical instruments, and packaging containers.
6. Polypropylene (PP):Polypropylene is a thermoplastic synthetic resin with excellent properties. It has chemical resistance, heat resistance, electrical insulation, high strength mechanical properties and good high wear resistance processing properties. It is widely used in many fields such as machinery, automobiles, electronic appliances, construction, textiles, packaging, agriculture, forestry, fishery, and food industry.
7. Polyetheretherketone (PEEK):PEEK is a special engineering plastic with excellent properties such as high temperature resistance, self-lubrication, easy processing, and high mechanical strength. It can be manufactured and processed into various mechanical parts, such as automobile gears, oil screens, shift starters, aircraft engine parts, automatic washing machine wheels, medical equipment parts, etc.
8. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC):Although PVC is prone to warping and may require larger machining allowances to achieve the required tolerances, it still has its unique advantages in certain applications, such as low cost and easy processing.

What are the advantages of CNC milling?

CNC milling is an advanced machining technologythat combines computer technology, precision machinery and automation technology to bring many advantages to modern manufacturing. Here are some of the mainadvantages of CNC milling:

• High degree of automation and precision:Through pre-written programs, CNC machine tools can automatically complete complex processing tasks without manual intervention, greatly improving production efficiency and reducing the possibility of human error.
• High flexibility:CNC systems can adapt to different product designs through simple programming changes, making them ideal for small batch diversified production.
• Improve productionefficiency:CNCmachining can carry out multi-coordinate linkage and process parts with complex shapes. When the shape and size of the part need to be changed, only the CNC program needs to be modified, saving production preparation time. In addition, CNC machines often run unattended throughout the entire machining cycle, further improving production efficiency.
• High security:Most operations of CNC machine tools during processing are automated, reducing workers' direct contact with dangerous machinery and improving workplace safety.
• Wide range of applications:Covering aerospace, automobile manufacturing, medical equipment, mold manufacturing and other industries.

What are the disadvantages of CNC milling?

AlthoughCNC milling plays an important role in modern manufacturing, it also has some disadvantages. The following is a summary of the shortcomings of CNC milling:

• High quality requirements for operation and maintenance personnel:Although CNC machining has lower quality requirements for operators, it has higher technical requirements for maintenance personnel.
• Processing route is difficult to control:The processing route of CNC machining is not as intuitive as ordinary machine tools, and requires certain skills and experience for programming and debugging.
• Inconvenient to repair:Since CNC machine tools integrate a large number of electronic and mechanical equipment, once a fault occurs, repairs may be complex and difficult.
• Possible processing problems:Including poor surface finish, vibration or chatter, broken tools, parts outside the tolerance range, poor dimensional accuracy, etc. These problems may be caused by various factors such as tool wear, incorrect cutting parameters, poor machine tool rigidity, etc.

What factors should you consider when choosing a CNC milling manufacturer?

Choosing the rightCNC milling manufactureris critical to project success.

1.Ability performance

Production equipment: Check whether the manufacturer has advanced milling equipment, such as CNC end milling machines, etc. These equipment usually have the advantages of easy operation, stable performance, and high production efficiency.

Technical strength: Evaluate whether the manufacturer’s technical team has extensive experience in aluminum block milling, can solve complex processing problems, and has the ability to carry out technological innovation and improvement.

2.Quality control

√Inspection Procedures:Understand their quality control procedures. They should have a system of record to inspect parts at all stages of production to ensure dimensional accuracy, surface finish and overall quality meet your requirements.

√Quality Certifications:Look for manufacturers with relevant industry certifications (such as ISO 9001), which demonstrate their commitment to a quality management system.

3.Delivery time

√Productivity:Assess their current workload and ability to complete projects within your specified time frame. Consider the quantity of parts required and their typical production volumes.

√Communication and Transparency:Make sure they clearly communicate delivery times and possible delays. Transparent communication throughout the process helps manage expectations and avoid project bottlenecks.

4.Cost

√Competitive Quotes:Get quotes from multiple manufacturers. While cost is important, choose quality and features over the cheapest option.

√Cost Breakdown:Ask for a detailed cost breakdown including machining, materials, finishing and any additional charges. This transparency allows you to accurately compare quotes.

√Value for money:Consider the overall value proposition. If the required quality, capability or on-time delivery cannot be guaranteed, the most expensive quote may not always be the best option.

5.Credibility and reputation

√Industry reputation:Understand the reputation and status of the manufacturer in the industry, and choose a manufacturer with a good reputation and wide recognition.

√Customer reviews:Refer to other customers’ reviews and feedback to understand whether the manufacturer’s service quality and product quality meet customer needs.

Longsheng: Your best CNC milling partner

Longsheng is a company specializing in providing milling services, with many years of industry experience and advanced equipment. We are familiar with various processing materials and processes and can provide customized solutions according to customer needs. Whether it is small batch production or large-scale production, we can guarantee product quality and delivery time to satisfy customers, please feel free to contact us. We look forward to assisting you and becoming your partner of choice.

FAQs

1.What materials can be used on a milling machine?

A wide range of materials can be used onmilling machines, including but not limited to: Metal materials: carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, copper alloy, titanium alloy, etc. Non-metallic materials: general plastics such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and engineering plastics such as polycarbonate (PC), nylon (PA), and polyoxymethylene (POM). In addition, solid wood (such as oak, pine, walnut, etc.) can also be processed on the milling machine.

2.What materials are used in CNC tooling?

CNC machining can also use the same materials that can be used on the milling machines mentioned above. CNC machining is known for its high precision and efficiency and is suitable for processing various metal and non-metal materials. In CNC machining, commonly used metal materials include aluminum alloys, stainless steel, alloy steel, copper alloys and titanium alloys; commonly used non-metallic materials include various plastics, wood and composite materials.

3.What are the materials used in milling machine fixture?

The material selection of milling machine fixtures mainly depends on the material of the workpiece, processing requirements and the environment in which the fixture is used. Common milling machine fixture materials include steel: it has the characteristics of high hardness, high strength, good wear resistance, and easy processing. It is suitable for situations where the precision of the workpiece is high and the cutting force of the machine tool is large. Cast iron: has good toughness and wear resistance, and is also widely used in milling machine fixtures. Aluminum alloy: It has the characteristics of low density, light weight, small thermal expansion coefficient, and good thermal conductivity. It is suitable for situations where the cutting force of machine tools is small. Non-metallic materials: such as polymer materials, ceramic materials, etc., have the characteristics of low density, good wear resistance, and good electrical insulation properties, and can be suitable for high-speed processing and fixture manufacturing in the electronics industry.

4.What materials are used in CNC inserts?

The material selection of CNC blades mainly depends on the characteristics and hardness of the material being processed. Commonly used CNC blade materials include:High-speed steel: suitable for processing materials with lower hardness, such as low carbon steel, non-ferrous metals, etc. Cemented carbide: It is composed of hard phases such as tungsten carbide (WC) and binding phases such as cobalt (Co). It has high hardness, wear resistance and heat resistance. Ceramic: It has extremely high hardness and wear resistance, but poor toughness and is brittle. PCD (Polycrystalline Diamond): It has extremely high hardness and wear resistance, and is suitable for processing non-ferrous metals and their alloys, such as aluminum alloys, copper alloys, etc.

Summary

The wide application of CNC milling technology benefits from its flexible processing capabilities for diverse materials. From metallic materials to plastics to non-metallic and composite materials, each material has its unique advantages and applicable fields. By in-depth understanding of each material's characteristics and processing requirements, combined withadvanced CNC milling technology, manufacturers are able to produce products that meet market demands and provide superior performance. In the future, with the continuous progress of material science and the continuousinnovation of CNC milling technology, we have reason to believe that more eye-catching results will emerge in this field and promote the development of manufacturing industry to a higher level.

Disclaimer

The content on this page is for reference only.Longshengdoes not make any express or implied representation or warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or validity of the information. No performance parameters, geometric tolerances, specific design features, material quality and type or workmanship should be inferred as to what a third party supplier or manufacturer will deliver through the Longsheng Network. It is the responsibility of the buyerseeking a quote for partsto determine the specific requirements for those parts.Pleasecontact usfor moreinformation.

Longsheng Team

This article was written by multiple Longsheng contributors. Longsheng is a leading resource in the manufacturing sector, withCNC machining,sheet metal fabrication,3D printing,injection molding,metal stamping, and more.