Machining is one of the fundamental methods of shaping materials in the manufacturing industry. It involves removing excess material using a cutting tool. Thanks to its precision and versatility, machining has been the foundation of mechanical production for decades. Let’s take a closer look at the most important machining techniques and their distinctive features.
Turning is a process in which the workpiece rotates while the cutting tool moves linearly. It is one of the oldest and most widely used machining methods. Lathes allow for both external operations (turning cylindrical or conical surfaces) and internal ones (boring holes). This method offers high efficiency and good dimensional accuracy, making it ideal for producing shafts, sleeves, flanges, and other axis-symmetric components.
Milling is characterized by the rotation of the tool (the mill) while the workpiece performs a feed motion. This technique offers remarkable versatility—it can be used to machine flat surfaces, grooves, 3D shapes, and even complex curved surfaces. Modern CNC milling machines enable advanced 3D operations, making milling a key technology in the production of injection molds, prototypes, and intricate components.
Drilling is the fundamental method of creating holes in a material. The drill rotates around its axis, cutting into the material and removing chips. Although it seems simple, the process requires careful selection of cutting parameters, especially when working with hard-to-machine materials. Modern drilling machines allow not only for simple drilling but also tapping, countersinking, and reaming with high precision.
Grinding is a precision finishing process that uses an abrasive wheel as the cutting tool. It is characterized by small chip thickness and high cutting speeds, resulting in smooth surfaces with excellent dimensional and shape accuracy. Grinding is mainly used as a finishing process after heat treatment or for hard materials. There are many variations of this method, including surface grinding, cylindrical grinding, and centerless grinding.
Planing removes material with a tool that performs a reciprocating motion relative to a stationary workpiece. It is particularly effective for machining large flat surfaces, grooves, and prismatic shapes. Shaping works similarly, but in this case, the workpiece performs the main motion while the tool feeds incrementally. Although these methods are slower than milling, they are still used for machining large, heavy components.
Threading can be performed in several ways—using taps and dies (manually or with machines), by thread turning on lathes, or by thread milling. Accurate thread production is essential to ensure strength and tightness in connections. Modern machining centers allow for highly repeatable and precise thread cutting, which is crucial in mass production.
Each machining method has its own unique advantages and applications. The choice of technique depends on the shape of the part, required precision, material type, and production volume. In industrial practice, various methods are often combined to achieve optimal results—for instance, a part may be turned first, then milled, and finally ground. With the continuous development of CNC technology and automation, machining remains a competitive and ever-evolving field of mechanical manufacturing.
TOKAR CNC Technology Mateusz Maćków
