The best turning operation depends on your part’s shape, the surface finish you need, and the production volume. Rough turning removes a lot of material quickly. Finishing turning makes the surface smooth. Taper turning, contour turning, and threading create specific shapes. Boring and grooving handle internal and external cuts. Each type has a clear purpose.

Milling operations describe how a machine cuts, shapes, and finishes materials. Each type has its own use and benefits. Common operations include face milling, peripheral milling, slotting, and using a mill for drilling. Some operations focus on surface finishing, while others remove material quickly or shape parts.

Manual milling is the process of shaping a workpiece with a milling machine operated by hand. The machine uses a rotating cutter to remove material and form flat surfaces, slots, holes, or more complex shapes. Unlike CNC milling, which follows computer programs, manual milling relies on the machinist’s skill and adjustments.

Lathes come in different types, each with a specific role. Engine lathes handle general cutting, while turret lathes improve speed for repeated parts. CNC lathes bring precision and automation. Specialized lathes, such as toolroom or vertical lathes, handle unique tasks. Each type serves different production needs and part sizes.

Zinc machining is the process of cutting, shaping, or finishing zinc materials into the necessary components. Engineers often use common operations like CNC milling, drilling, or turning to make precise parts. Zinc can come as sheets, castings, or billets, which are then machined for specific purposes.

Angular milling is a method of machining in which the cutter removes material at an angle to its axis. The cutter is set to the desired angle and moves across the workpiece, allowing it to create angled surfaces such as chamfers, grooves, slots, and V-shaped cuts.

Straight turning is a cutting method used on a lathe. In this process, the workpiece spins around its axis while a fixed tool moves in a straight line along the same axis. The tool slowly cuts away material and reduces the diameter, forming a smooth and even cylinder across the length of the part. The focus is on keeping the surface straight and uniform, without any taper or curve.

Fits are an essential part of mechanical assemblies. They describe how two parts connect and work together, most often a hole and a shaft. The fit decides whether the parts move freely, lock tightly, or stay somewhere in between.

Offset machining is making small changes to the tool’s position in a CNC machine to improve how a part is made. These changes, or “offsets,” adjust the path or depth of the cutting tool during the machining process. They are applied through the machine’s control system, without changing the original G-code program.

Subcontract machining is when a company outsources part of its manufacturing work to an external machine shop. These shops focus on cutting, shaping, and finishing metal or plastic parts to precise specifications.

Tool steel machining means cutting, drilling, or shaping tool steel into a specific part. This can be done with CNC machines or by hand. Tool steel is a carbon and alloy steel made to be very hard and resistant to wear. It can also keep a sharp edge. Common grades include D2, O1, A2, and M2.

ABS plastic machining is the process of shaping ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) into finished parts using tools like mills, drills, and lathes. ABS is a thermoplastic. It is strong, impact-resistant, and lightweight. It comes in sheets, rods, or blocks. You can cut, drill, or turn it into parts with basic machining tools.

When picking a material for CNC milling, you need to know your design’s needs, the part’s job, and your budget. Think about strength, machinability, cost, and how the part will be used. Then match those needs to what each metal or plastic can do. Good material choices save you time, money, and trouble.

Thread tapping is cutting threads inside a hole using a tap. The tap has cutting edges shaped to match the thread profile. As it turns into a drilled hole, it removes grooves to form a threaded path.

Taper turning is the process of cutting a surface that gradually changes in diameter along the length of a round workpiece. It forms a cone-like shape using a lathe. The taper can be on the outside (external) or inside (internal) of the part. The angle and length of the taper are based on what the part is used for.

Composite CNC machining uses advanced equipment to cut and shape tough materials like carbon fiber and fiberglass. Specialized tools and methods reduce tool wear and keep parts strong. This process lets you make lightweight parts for industries like aerospace, automotive, and medical.