What Parts Can Be Processed By Small Batch CNC Machining?

1.Aerospace & Defense

CNC machining has been at the forefront of machining technologies used in the aerospace and defense industry for over three decades. And this is due to the extremely high precision CNC machines offer, making them ideal for creating many safety-critical parts, such as landing gear and engine components, missiles, and combat vehicles.

2.Optical Communication

While precision remains integral to the performance of optical components and systems, most of the materials used for laser housing products and other optical components are extremely difficult to machine. CNC machines are helping to accurately fabricate optical communication parts made of silumin, iron-nickel, and copper alloy materials.

3.Robotics & Automation

CNC machining is a widely used process in the robotics and automation industry for fabricating robotic end effectors, custom jigs and features, and storage units. Because CNC machines can achieve tolerances of ±0.05 mm and surface roughness of Ra 0.8μm, product designers can ensure robotic part dimensional accuracy.

4.Automotive

The automotive industry relies on CNC machining to create prototype components made from specialty lightweight metal alloys and composites. Machinable automotive parts include engines, roof panels, lighting, and transmission systems, among others. CNC machining is also useful for creating many custom automotive parts, especially for limited-edition luxury vehicles.

5.Electronics

CNC machining is the most popular machining technology in the electronics industry because of its advantages such as low labor costs, high productivity, and precise complex shapes manufacturing. 3-, 4-, and 5-axis CNC machines are especially useful for fabricating electronics housings, panels, heat sinks, and other miniaturized electronics parts.

6.Medical Equipment

In recent years, the medical industry has seen a high demand for high-precision machining services for producing implants, medical devices, and surgical instruments. Through custom CNC machining, machine shops accurately create these parts while meeting the requirements of several regulatory bodies, such as the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and ISO 13485.

7.Semiconductor

As the demand grows for more stringent semiconductor component specifications, the semiconductor industry is adapting accordingly by getting rid of conventional machining techniques and relying on CNC machining to manufacture parts. CNC machining is also making it possible for semiconductor designers to easily achieve different surface finishes, including anodizing, nickel-plated, and masked finishes.

8.Energy

Solar, wind, and hydropower turbines and generators play a vital role in powering other industries. These power generation facilities feature many complex components made of different metal alloys and reinforced carbon fiber plastics. They are usually fabricated using CNC machines.

Are there any restrictions on small batch CNC processing?

CNC machines are capable of producing products of a wide range of complexity and sizes. However, there are some limitations on the size of objects you can produce. There are also some limitations caused by size or what post processing operations can be carried out on a machined part. It is very important for designers and engineers to know these limitations in order to design accordingly. Some of the size limitations in CNC machining are as follows.

1. The maximum dimensions a CNC milling machine can produce are dependent on the machine’s work envelope.

The work envelope of a CNC machine is the total area the CNC machine can cover moving in the X, Y, and Z axes. The work envelope of a machine determines its travel limitations which in turn determines the maximum part size it can produce.

Design guide CNC milling size limits

JTC CNC Machining Center’s partner network includes CNC machining centres with up to 1,625.6 mm (64″) X by 812.8 mm (32″) Y by 965.2 (38″) Z travel limitations. Note, however, that the travel limitations of a CNC machine does not necessarily specify the exact maximum part dimensions as these are also dependent on required tooling. The maximum part size may be less than the travel limitations. For example, deep features requiring long tooling can reduce the effective work envelope of a machine. The Z travel of 965.2 mm (38”) does not translate to a part height or depth of 965.2 mm (38”): depending on part size and features in the Z dimension, the Z height of the part will need to be less than the 965.2 mm (38”) to allow for tool clearance. 

2. For cylindrical parts manufactured on a lathe the maximum part diameter and  overall length are the important limiting dimensions

The maximum machinable length of a part is dependent on the diameter of the part. The longer a part, the wider its diameter has to be in order for it to be balanced.

Design guide CNC lathe size limits

JTC CNC Machining Center’s lathe capabilities can produce  parts of up to 457 mm (18″) in diameter. However, for parts with diameters larger than 457 mm, special considerations can be made.
Our network includes companies that offer live tooling lathes that reduce machining time and can manufacture more complex turned parts with off-axis features. However, this often translates to smaller effective work envelopes.

3. Part size can affect the availability of different post-processing operations

The post-processing operations that can be carried out on a part depends on the size of the part. For example, larger parts often do not fit in media-blasting cabinets, therefore such parts cannot be blasted.

Another example is that, for large parts that need to be anodized or electroplated, custom racking may be required.

Summary

In conclusion, the work envelope of a CNC machine determines the maximum part size that the machine can produce; the critical limiting dimensions for parts manufactured on a lathe are the diameter and length of the part; and the size of a part affects the post-processing operation that it can undergo.

What are the advantages of small batch CNC machining in JTC CNC machining Center?

1.High-quality and reliable

We have highly trained engineers, machinists, and quality control experts capable of getting your product done right the first time. Our team of experts follows industry standards by using best-in-class software, state-of-the-art CNC technologies, and quality control tools to create customers’ parts.

2.Broad range of material options

We offer a wide range of material options, including metal parts (like aluminum, steel, stainless steel, brass, copper), plastic parts (like POM, PTFE, PC, PEEK, PET), and special alloys (like Kovar, Invar, Inconel, Titanium, Mocu).

3.World-class machine shop

We adhere strictly to several key industrial, quality, and environmental standards. For instance, our machine shop is ISO 9001:2015 certified for quality management systems, ISO 14001:2015 for environmental management systems, and ISO 13485:2016 certified to fabricate medical devices.

4.Cost-effective manufacturing services

At Gensun, we adhere strictly to the design for manufacturing (DFM) criteriaㅡwhich means we design parts and optimize designs for ease of manufacturing. This reduces our start-up, material, and feature costs, providing you with a cost-effective manufacturing service.

5.Fast manufacturing and delivery

Not only do we get your products done right, but we are also located in southern China’s Greater Bay Area. We’re close to major shipping ports, allowing us to get your products to you swiftly.

6.Custom CNC machining

We offer custom CNC machining services to our customers that want to replace obsolete parts, work with difficult materials, or manufacture parts with special requirements.

If you need the service of JTC CNC machining Center, you can contact us by email and get the CNC machining quotation immediately.