> CNC turning and milling is a cutting-edge machining technology

CNC turning and milling, which is currently a popular international trend in the field of mechanical engineeringProcessingOne of these methods. Our previous manufacturing approach involved using a specific machine for each step and process; the product could only be completed after passing through the entire sequence. However, this method incurs relatively high machinery costs and consumes a considerable amount of electricity. Furthermore, after each process is completed, we must move the workpiece to the next station, which is a considerable waste of working hours. It also requires a large number of staff. The inspection stage demands even greater concentration. One advanced manufacturing technology is CNC turning and milling, which makes machining more convenient and efficient. This process integrates several different machining techniques onto a single machine tool. It is widely applied but presents considerable challenges; this is what is known as CNC turning and milling. A CNC turning and milling centre is effectively a combination of a CNC lathe and a machining centre.

At present, the vast majority of CNC turning and milling operations are carried out on turning centres; however, typical turning centres merely replace the standard turret of a CNC lathe with a turret equipped with powered tools, whilst adding a C-axis function to the spindle. Due to the structural and dimensional constraints of the turret, the power head has limited power and a relatively low spindle speed, and cannot accommodate larger cutting tools. Such turning centres are primarily designed for turning operations, with milling and drilling functions serving only as supplementary processes. The high cost of the live tooling head prevents the price of such turning centres from being reduced; they generally cost over 800,000 yuan, making them unaffordable for the average user. Most are economical CNC models of the XZC-axis, combined turning-milling type, with a rotating C-axis added to the chuck to achieve basic milling capabilities. Currently, the market offers a wide and diverse range of CNC turning-milling composite machining centres, with major brands all offering such equipment. Furthermore, there is a considerable number of well-known CNC turning-milling composite software packages available on the market. Compared to conventional CNC machining processes, the key advantages of CNC turning-milling composite machining are primarily evident in the following aspects.

(1) To improve by shortening the product manufacturing process chainproduction efficiency, CNC turning and milling machining allows all or most of the machining operations to be completed in a single setup, thereby significantly shortening the product manufacturing process chain. This reduces both the non-productive time associated with changing setups and the lead times and waiting times for tooling and fixtures, thereby significantly improving production efficiency.

(2) Reducing the number of clamping operations improves machining accuracy; fewer clamping operations prevent the accumulation of errors caused by the transformation of positioning references, At the same time, most modern CNC turning-milling centres are equipped with in-process inspection capabilities, which enable the on-the-spot monitoring of key manufacturing data and precision control, thereby improving the machining accuracy of the product.

(3) Floor space requirements are reduced, and production costs are lowered. Although the unit price of each CNC turning and milling centre is relatively high, the manufacturing process chain is shortened, the number of machines required for a given product is reduced, the number of tooling fixtures is reduced, the floor space required in the workshop is minimised, and expenditure on equipment maintenance is lowered; consequently, overall fixed asset investment costs, production operating costs and management costs are all reduced.

There is a form of advanced manufacturing technology that integrates several different machining processes onto a single machine tool; This is the so-called advanced manufacturing technology, known as CNC turning and milling, which is widely used yet extremely challenging; in other words, CNC turning and milling. A CNC turning and milling centre is essentially a combination of a CNC lathe and a machining centre.