What is the difference between CNC turning and milling?

CNC Turning and CNC Milling are both important processes in the field of mechanical processing, but there are significant differences between them. The following is a detailed explanation of the main differences between the two:

1. Processing principle and method

CNC Turning: It is mainly processed by rotating the raw material (usually a cylinder). The tool is fed along the axial direction, and through precise control, it can ensure that the diameter of the part is highly accurate and the processing depth is controlled to meet the design requirements. This processing method is particularly suitable for manufacturing cylindrical parts such as shafts, tubes, etc.

CNC Milling: A rotating tool is used to process a stationary workpiece. The tool can move along multiple axes (such as X, Y, Z axes, or even more) to remove material and create the desired shape. CNC Milling is not limited to processing planes or curved surfaces, but can also process complex three-dimensional shapes, so it has higher flexibility in manufacturing complex parts.

2. Processing objects and scope of application

CNC Turning: Due to its processing principle, it is particularly suitable for processing cylindrical or axisymmetric parts. During the rotation of these parts, the tool can accurately cut along its axis to obtain a high-precision cylindrical surface.

CNC Milling: It is more widely used in the processing of parts of various shapes and sizes. Whether it is a plane, a curved surface or a complex three-dimensional shape, CNC Milling can achieve it through accurate tool path planning.

3. Processing accuracy and efficiency

Both have their own advantages in processing accuracy and efficiency. When processing cylindrical parts, CNC Turning can usually achieve higher processing accuracy due to the stable rotation of the workpiece and the accurate feed of the tool. CNC Milling has higher flexibility and efficiency when processing complex shapes due to its multi-axis processing capabilities.

4. Cost and equipment

In general, the cost of CNC Turning equipment may vary depending on the scale and technology. But overall, CNC Turning may have a higher cost-effectiveness for the processing of specific types of cylindrical parts. CNC Milling equipment may have more advantages in processing complex parts due to its multi-axis processing capabilities and flexibility, but the corresponding cost may also be higher.