CNC turning – a precision machining technique

CNC turning is one of the most widely used methods for machining a wide variety of materials, primarily metals, aluminum or stainless steel. Nowadays, traditional manual lathes are almost no longer used for this, having been replaced by modern computer-controlled CNC machines.

This is the equipment we have at GOMET, and with its help we are able to realize any order, even the largest and most complex, which can benefit customers from all over the world.

What do we mean by CNC turning and what are its variations?

By the term CNC (Computerized Numerical Control) turning , we mean a fully automated process carried out using digitally controlled lathes. It is one of the varieties of machining that involves the gradual removal of layers of material from the workpiece until the workpiece is given the shape specified in the design.

This technique is ideal for machining metals, the aforementioned aluminum, copper or various grades of steel. We distinguish between several basic types of turning, including with CNC lathes:

Transverse turning, when the turning knives are set at right angles to the piece of semi-finished work;

Longitudinal turning, in this case the cutting blades make a movement in an axis parallel to the workpiece placed in the jaws of the lathe;

Copy turning, used when an existing part needs to be faithfully reproduced, and the turning knives here move according to a pre-prepared pattern, or template;

Shape turning, when the lathe knives are precisely matched to the shape of the workpiece being machined.

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What does CNC turning consist of?

CNC turning itself follows the same principle as with manual lathes. The workpiece is placed in the machine’s chuck and rotates while blades, called turning knives, moving in the horizontal axis remove excess material from the workpiece.

The entire process, as with CNC milling, can be divided into several successive phases, none of which can be skipped:

Phase 1 – designing the shape of the object

What is done in a modern, practical CAD design program that facilitates the creation of an accurate 3D model of the object to be turned from a piece of metal or other material.

Phase 2 – programming the CNC lathe

Since the CNC lathe is digitally controlled, it must be properly programmed before starting work. A pre-prepared program is loaded into the machine’s memory, and the machine will be able to accurately machine a semi-finished part according to the prepared design.

Phase 3 – preparing the machine and material for processing

This is a task for our operators, true specialists from whom CNC turning has no secrets. Their knowledge and equally extensive professional experience make it easy for them to select the right cutting tools and securely fix the material in the lathe chuck.

Phase 4 – inspection of the execution of the object

Once the workpiece has been machined according to the guidelines, it is necessary to check the correctness of its workmanship, primarily the conformity of dimensions and tolerances. This is done with the help of appropriate measuring tools or coordinate measuring machines.

Which advantages of our CNC turning services do customers point out?

The CNC turning services offered by Gomet are constantly growing in popularity. We are trusted not only by customers from the Mazovia region, but also from other parts of Poland, satisfied with the high quality of our services.

We manufacture for them a variety of metal components useful in many industries, such as nipples, reductions, slat nozzles, barrels and barrel presses, and LPG refueling passages.

We make many of them using the turning method, and its most frequently highlighted advantages are:

High precision finishing of workpieces, dimensional accuracy at the micron level;

Repeatability of the process allowing to produce large quantities of identical components, which is of great importance in mass production;

Automation of the turning process, minimizing the risk of errors through computerized control of machine tool operation;

speed of production, especially noticeable compared to tedious manual processing, so we are able to significantly reduce the lead time of each order;

great material savings, which is made possible by reducing the amount of waste generated;

The ability to process different types of materials, not just metals, and always maintain the highest quality surface finish.

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