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CNC machining is a subtractive manufacturing process that utilizes computerized controls and machine tools to remove layers of material from a blank to produce a custom-designed part using drilling, milling and turning operations.

CNC Drilling // Drill bits are used to make cylindrical holes in the workpiece. Normally, these holes are perpendicular to the surface of the workpiece. But specialized tooling also enables the drilling of angular holes. Other common drilling operations include counterboring, countersinking, reaming and tapping.

CNC Milling // Three-axis milling machines can cut three surfaces of a part along its X, Y and Z axes. A 5-axis mill adds two rotational axes to give machine tools access to five out of six part sides without the operator needing to reset the workpiece.

CNC Turning // Material is removed from a workpiece as it is being rotated at high speed on a lathe. It’s commonly used to create cylindrical parts. Common operations include cutting slots, tapers and threads into its surface. Boring, facing and grooving can also be performed.

Swiss Screw Machine // This is a specialized type of lathe that enables the workpiece to move back and forth as well as rotate. This enables tighter tolerances for the most demanding applications.

CNC machining can be done with many types of material, including metal and plastic.

Aerospace // CNC machining is widely used in the aerospace industry. Aerospace applications require extremely precise and lightweight parts. CNC machining is capable of producing these parts in a variety of materials.

Automotive // Like the aerospace industry, the automotive sector also values parts that are precise and lightweight. CNC machining is used for automotive prototyping and production. Metal can be machined for various components including gear boxes, cylinders, and axels. Plastic can be machined for interior components for the dashboard, gauges, and trim.

Consumer // CNC machining is widely used for prototyping and production of consumer products. Both metal and plastic are produced for consumer products. CNC prototyping is an excellent way to provide physical examples for investors and advance marketing. Examples of CNC machining in consumer products includes housing, fixtures, and components. A popular example would be the bodies of some cell phones and laptop computers. These are typically machined out of aluminum.

Industrial // CNC machining is widely used for industrial purposes, both as a manufacturing method in itself and as a way to create components to aide industrial manufacturing. CNC machining is a mainstay in industrial manufacturing due to its ease of use, repeatability, and precision.

Medical // CNC machining is used in the medical sector to create components for medical devices and medical implants. CNC machining in plastic is used to create components for medical devices. CNC machines can work with a variety of materials that have been approved for close contact with the human body. CNC machining is an easy way to prototype medical devices before moving to full production. CNC machines can work with the same materials that are used in injection molding. CNC machining in metal is an ideal manufacturing method for creating medical implants. CNC machines offer the precision and repeatability necessary to manufacture medical implants. Examples include replacement hips and kneecaps, screws, pins, and rods. Fathom Digital Manufacturing is ISO 13485:2016 certified. This certification is required to machine medical implants.

Technology // CNC machining is widely used in emerging technology sectors for prototyping and small production runs. Fast turn around and low cost set up make CNC machining an ideal manufacturing technique for the fast-paced technology sector. CNC machining can be used to create prototypes to show potential investors and help raise venture capital. Design reiterations are easy to implement with simple changes to the CAD file.

Rapid Prototyping // Parts can be CNC machined in a matter of hours, making it easy to iterate part designs and accelerate time to market.

Fine Details and Tight Tolerances // CNC machining can be used to produce complex parts with tight tolerances.

Excellent Accuracy and Repeatability // Because the machine tools used in this process are computer-controlled, they can be used to produce a large number of parts with a high degree of accuracy. That’s why it’s a preferred manufacturing method for high-performance industries like automotive, aerospace and defense.

Produce Parts to Precise Specifications // It can be used to produce simple parts with high precision and high accuracy, with tighter tolerances than injection molding or additive manufacturing.

Ideal for Prototype Parts // CNC machining can be used to quickly produce accurate prototype parts in a matter of hours.

Versatility // CNC machining can be used with a wide variety of materials, including all types of metals and alloys, plastics, phenolics and rigid foam. It can be used to produce everything from prototype and short-run parts to bridge production and large production runs.

Scalability // Once a CNC machine is programmed and set up to run a job, it can continue to produce that part 24 hours a day. Each part will have identical accuracy and precision

Set-Up Time // Workpieces typically require fixtures and jigs to securely position and hold the part while machining operations take place. This work can be time-consuming and requires significant operator expertise.

Cost // CNC machining tends to be more expensive than some other types of manufacturing.

Part Geometry Limitations // CNC machining can’t be used to create cavities within parts or conformal cooling channels, because there’s usually no way to get a cutting tool inside of a part. Large parts may also be challenging to produce using CNC machining.