Short, useful notes on precision machining.
Short answers to the questions we get asked most in contract machining.
CNC turning removes material from a rotating part on a computer-controlled lathe to make cylindrical parts. Milling cuts a fixed part with a rotating tool.
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A CNC part price is built from material, stock removal, tolerance, quantity, number of setups and lead time. Setup dominates small batches; cutting time dominates large ones.
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Contract machining means having your parts made in a specialist shop instead of on your own machines. It starts with a drawing or sample and moves to series after first-article approval.
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An oil skimmer continuously removes tramp oil from machine coolant; the emulsion stops smelling and lasts longer. Disc type suits shallow tanks, belt type suits deep ones.
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Controlling the angular position of a rotating part removes the need for a second machine.
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Sample-based production is the most common route in contract machining. It starts with a photo.
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Material choice looks at the duty before it looks at the price. The wrong choice makes a cheap part expensive.
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A tighter tolerance than needed does not improve the part; it only makes it expensive.
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