CNC Machining Process

In precision component manufacturing, every step directly affects the final quality. Once the part design is completed, high-quality metal materials serve as the skeleton of the component, while sophisticated machining techniques are the key to giving it a soul. Among various manufacturing technologies, CNC machining, with its high precision, flexibility, and outstanding repeatability, has become one of the most widely applied core processes in modern component manufacturing.

CNC machining, also known as computer numerical control machining, precisely controls the movement of machine tools and cutting instruments through computer commands to remove material from a workpiece, producing parts or products that meet design specifications. Its basic principle involves importing part drawings created in CAD software into the control system of the CNC machine. The system then converts the drawings into digital signals, which guide the machine’s motion path under computer control, thereby achieving highly accurate machining.

Common CNC processes include turning, milling, grinding, and other types, each performed on specialized CNC equipment such as CNC lathes, CNC milling machines, and CNC grinding machines. These processes can meet the precision machining requirements of complex structures and high consistency.

Among them, milling is one of the most common and widely used types of CNC machining. It is a process that removes excess material from a workpiece using a rotating multi-edge cutting tool. The cutting is achieved through the rotary motion of the tool combined with the feed motion of the workpiece, allowing the tool edges to contact the workpiece surface and form the desired shape and dimensions. Milling has the following characteristics:High efficiency – By using multi-edge tools, milling achieves high cutting speeds and productivity.Versatility – Milling can produce flat surfaces, slots, holes, contours, and other complex geometries.Precision and quality – With evenly distributed cutting forces, milling helps improve machining accuracy and surface finish.Flexibility – Milling performance can be finely adjusted by modifying cutting parameters (such as cutting speed, feed rate, and depth of cut) to suit different materials and machining requirements.

The origins of CNC machining can be traced back to the mid-20th century. With the advancement of electronic technology, automated information processing, and digital computers, numerical control was gradually introduced into the field of machining. After World War II, manufacturing largely relied on manually operated machine tools, which resulted in high costs, low efficiency, and inconsistent product quality.

To address this issue, in 1948, John Parsons proposed the concept of numerical control machining to the U.S. Air Force, which perfectly aligned with its need for high-precision manufacturing of aircraft templates. In 1952, with the assistance of MIT, the world’s first experimental CNC machine tool—a vertical milling machine equipped with a three-axis linkage control system—was successfully developed. Building on this achievement, Bendix Corporation produced the first industrial-grade CNC machine tool in November 1954. Starting in the 1960s, industrial nations such as Germany and Japan also launched independently developed CNC equipment, driving the technology toward maturity and widespread adoption.

Early CNC machine tools were primarily CNC milling machines, mainly used in the military sector for contour machining of complex curves and surfaces. However, due to the large size and high energy consumption of vacuum tube systems at the time, their applications were not yet widely expanded. After 1960, relatively simple point-to-point control CNC machines developed rapidly. Statistics show that by 1966, of the approximately 6,000 CNC machines in use, 85% were point-to-point control types, including milling machines, punching machines, and coordinate boring machines.

A major milestone in the development of CNC machine tools was the emergence of the machining center. In March 1959, the U.S. company Kearney & Trecker introduced the first machining center equipped with an automatic tool changer. With a tool magazine and mechanical arm, it could automatically switch tools according to program instructions, enabling multiple operations to be completed in a single setup and greatly improving production efficiency. Today, machining centers have become an important branch of CNC machine tools, including vertical and horizontal boring-milling centers, as well as turning centers and grinding centers, and are widely used in the manufacturing of precision components.

What challenges has CNC machining solved for the manufacturing industry?

Significantly improves the precision of parts. Through digital program control of cutting paths, feed rates, and cutting depths, CNC machining can achieve highly consistent accuracy. Traditional machining methods rely on manual operation and mechanical adjustments, making them susceptible to operator skill and tool wear, which leads to fluctuations in precision. CNC, however, leverages CAD and CAM technologies to enable seamless integration from design to machining, minimizing human error to the greatest extent.

Improves production efficiency and reduces overall costs. CNC equipment utilizes advanced programming technologies to enable continuous automated production, significantly shortening machining cycles and enhancing productivity. Higher efficiency results in increased output and shorter delivery times. At the same time, high-precision machining substantially reduces scrap rates, minimizing rework and material waste. Although the initial investment in equipment is relatively high, large-scale production over time effectively spreads out costs. Furthermore, highly integrated and automated operations reduce reliance on manual labor, correspondingly lowering training and management expenses.

Enables process centralization. In traditional machining, different operations must be performed on separate machines—for example, milling machines for grooves or flat surfaces, lathes for cylinders and tapers, and drilling machines for holes. CNC milling, however, can complete multiple operations in a single setup, greatly reducing repeated positioning and clamping time. With computer programming, it also allows for batch production of different or diversified products. This flexibility helps companies respond quickly to market changes, reduce inventory and idle costs, and enhance competitive advantage.

Enhances operational safety. CNC machines fundamentally address the safety hazards present in traditional machining. This is primarily achieved through protective structures that physically separate operators from sharp moving parts and cutting zones. Operators do not need to be in close proximity to high-speed spindles or grinding tools and can monitor the machining process safely through observation windows. At the same time, direct contact with potentially harmful coolants is avoided, fundamentally improving the overall safety of the work environment.

Our company is equipped with Mazak and OSG CNC machines, capable of meeting clients’ demands for continuous production and high-precision machining, providing solid support for the manufacturing of various complex components.

Among them, the Mazak VCE Series 570-BL vertical machining center features a C-frame structure and a moving table design. Its main components are made of high-quality dense cast iron, offering excellent thermal properties, stability, high rigidity, high precision, and low vibration. The machine is equipped with a high-speed, high-torque spindle, three-axis drives, and a tool magazine system, enabling high-speed machining of aluminum as well as heavy cutting of materials such as cast iron and steel. It is widely used in semiconductor equipment, medical devices, automotive components, and automation equipment.

The entire equipment line is equipped with FANUC systems, developed by FANUC Corporation of Japan, which are widely used CNC programs in machining workshops. With over 60 years of experience in CNC technology development, FANUC is a global leader in factory automation, accumulating extensive technical expertise and practical experience over decades of industry development. The FANUC system enables high-speed, high-precision machining, operating very smoothly to achieve excellent surface finishes and accurate positioning. Key components such as mechanical structures, servo motors, control units, software, and sensors are typically designed and manufactured in-house, ensuring product reliability from the source.

Leveraging the combination of high-performance hardware and mature CNC systems, we specialize in machining parts with complex surfaces, intricate geometries, deep holes, and fine features, as well as efficiently processing difficult-to-cut materials such as titanium alloys and high-strength alloys. With flexible CNC programming and rapid response capabilities, we can promptly accommodate design changes, making our operations especially suitable for small-batch prototyping and customized production.