CNC Turning-Milling is a hybrid machining process that combines turning and milling operations in a single setup. It enables the efficient production of complex parts with both rotational and non-rotational features, reducing multiple setups while ensuring high precision and consistency. Ideal for intricate geometries, this process enhances productivity and shortens lead times.
CNC Turning refers to an automated precision manufacturing process in which a computer numerical control (CNC) system is programmed to drive the lathe spindle, rotating the workpiece while controlling the cutting tool to move along a predetermined path. This process performs cutting operations such as external cylindrical surfaces, internal holes, threads, and end faces on rotary parts.
CNC milling is a subtractive manufacturing process where computer-controlled rotary cutters precisely remove material from a solid block to create custom parts. Using 3-axis or 5-axis configurations, it delivers high-accuracy components with complex geometries, suitable for both prototyping and mass production.
| Parameter | Specification |
| Machining Processes | CNC Miling, Turning, Turn-Miling and Swiss Turning |
| Part Size | 2000mm x 1500mm x 600mm |
| Minimum Wall Thickness | 0.8 mm(metals), 1.5 mm(plastics) |
| Linear Tolerances | ±0.0002”(0.005mm) |
| Minimum Feature Size | 0.5 mm or 0.50 mm |
| Minimum Cutting Depth | 0.3mm |
| Cavity Depth | 4x width(w) |
| As Machined Finish | Ra 125 or better |
| Undercut Width(T-slot) | 3-40 mm |
| Complex Features | Curved surfaces,undercuts,deep cavities.grooves complex contours,asymmetrical features,etc. |
The properties of final parts or products depend on the material type. Therefore, CNC machining material selection is critical for any project. Make your choice based on requirements, metals, plastics, or composites.
You have a lot of options for CNC metals such as aluminum, stainless steel, brass, titanium, etc. Consequently, each of these metals has different alloy grades with unique composition and properties. Meanwhile, You can machine CNC plastics like ABS, Acrylic, PEEK, PC, etc.
Aluminum Alloys
Aluminum alloys are known for being lightweight, having corrosion resistance, excellent thermal conductivity, and strengths (vary on alloying elements). They are highly machinable and offer high production speed.
Stainless Steel Grades
Stainless steel is one of the most common metals used in CNC machining. Steel alloys provide corrosion resistance, high mechanical strength, ductility, and excellent machinability.
Brass Grades
Brass is a copper alloy that offers good conductivity, formability, strength, and corrosion resistance. Brass grades are also easy to machine and the machined parts can be solder and braze. easily.
Stell
Steel grades provide high tensile strength, good plasticity, and varying hardness & ductility. The machinability also varies on particular alloy grades. Steel CNC machining produces durable, wear-resistant, high-strength, and heat-treatable parts.
Titanium
grades are renowned for exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion protection, and biocompatibility. The machining of titanium is used for lightweight and durable parts that can withstand harsh environments.
Nylon(Polyamide)
Nylon’s CNC-friendly attributes—strength, wear resistance, and design flexibility—position it as a go-to material for functional parts across industries. From lightweight automotive solutions to precision medical components, its adaptability (via grades/reinforcements) ensures optimal performance, cost, and manufacturability, making it a staple in modern CNC machining.
POM(Polyoxymethylene)
POM, with its “metal-like mechanical properties and excellent processability”, has become an ideal engineering plastic to replace metals in CNC machining. It is widely used in scenarios requiring high wear resistance, high precision, and lightweight, especially in the automotive and mechanical transmission fields, where it stands out. It is a key material that combines performance and cost advantages.
ABS(Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
ABS is popular in CNC machining due to its high tensile strength and toughness. It can create parts with excellent impact-resistant, wear-resistant, flame retardantdency, and also leaves good as a machined finish. It is often used as a metal replacement in automotive and marine applications.
PEEK(Polyetheretherketone)
It is high-performance CNC plastic with excellent mechanical strength, fatigue resistance, chemical resistance, and thermal stability. But it can be more expensive than other plastic materials. Some application examples include tubes, bearings, seals, valves, and medical implants.
PMMA(Acrylic、Polymethyl methacrylate）
Acrylic or PMMA is a transparent and tough thermoplastic with excellent surface hardness, weather resistance, wear and abrasion resistance, and chemical inertness. The machining of acrylic surfaces can weaken the transparency, but further surface polishing can achieve that. Acrylic is ideal for applications requiring optical transparency or as a cost-effective alternative to polycarbonate.
The machined or deburring finish is the standard finish where unwanted attach chips are removed with deburring tools, and sharp edges are chamfered to smooth the surface (3.2 μm).
Bead blasting produces a matte texture, removing all the marks of machining tools. It applies to ABS, Aluminum, Brass, Stainless Steel, and Steel parts.
Anodizing involves adding an aluminum oxide coating to aluminum and its alloys. The layers, which come in various colors, increase strength and shield the surface from corrosion.
Provides excellent corrosion resistance property to the aluminum parts with greenish-gold color. It is the low-cost and quick surface finishing approach.
Physical rubbing of a metal surface to create a shiny surface is called a polishing surface finish. It increases the reflectivity and does not affect the dimensional stability of parts.
Brushing is achieved by applying an abrasive brush to the metal surface, which produces a unidirectional satin finish. And it is not recommended for highly corrosive materials.
Provides a random, non-linear texture with a shiny, high gloss finish. However, it might be unable to create sharp corners and pockets
Black oxide finish reduces surface reflectivity and offers mild corrosion protection. It involves adding a thin layer of magnetite to the surface.
Electroplating increases the hardness of the steel &aluminum parts. It offers excellent corrosion, wears, and abrasion resistance.
A thin layer of Nickel is created on the surface from a nickel-containing solution without electrolysis. Electro-less nickel plating provides a shiny appearance, excellent hardness, abrasive, wear, and corrosion-resistance to the substrate material.
Chrome plating is widely used in various industries, which not only enhances the beautiful appearance of the product, but also improves the performance of the product, such as corrosion resistance, oxidation resistance, abrasion resistance, hardness, etc.
Enhance the appearance and functionality of the parts. After Passivation, parts of Steel and its alloys become super resistive from corrosion.
CNC machining is fast, accurate, and versatile. No other manufacturing solution produces end-use parts in any volume without the need to invest in hard tooling or expensive set-ups.
Almost any rigid solid can be machined, including mild and stainless steels, aluminum, brass, copper, magnesium, titanium, and many types of engineering plastics.
CNC machining offers key advantages over 3D printing, injection molding, and laser cutting:
It’s fast and cost-effective for simple parts, like base plates with holes or grooves. CNC machines achieve tight tolerances of ±0.01 mm and deliver smooth surface finishes down to Ra 0.8—ideal for painting or anodizing. They also handle a wide range of part sizes, from large components up to 6 m x 30 m to tiny features cut with 0.05 mm tools on precision 5-axis mills.
Yes. As soon as we receive your RFQ, our engineers will review the CAD files and offer the design feedback and optimization suggestion for CNC machining if needed. In order to get better CNC machined parts quality and sort out the points to lower the CNC machining cost which affect the unit price.
Our standard tolerances are 10 microns (0.01 millimeters or 0.00039 inches), which is suitable for the majority of commercial and industrial applications. Consult with us if you need closer tolerances for special projects.
Referring to our previous CNC machining orders, over 90% of them are finished in around 7 days. Simple CNC machined parts can be done within 2 days, while it might take 15+ days to make complex or big CNC machined parts. Quantity is another matter to be considered.