Precision Metal Stainless Steel Shaft CNC Machined Parts For Bycicles And Wheelchairs

Precision Metal Stainless Steel Shaft CNC Machined Parts For Bycicles and Wheelchairs

What Is Precision Metal CNC Machining?

For design engineers, R&D teams, and manufacturers that depend on part sourcing, precision CNC machining allows for the creation of complex parts without additional processing. In fact, precision CNC machining often makes it possible for finished parts to be made on a single machine.

The process of machining small parts removes material and uses a wide range of cutting tools to create the final, and often highly complex, design of a part. The level of precision is enhanced through the use of computer numerical control (CNC), which is used to automate the control of the machining tools.

The role of “CNC” in high precision machining

Using coded programming instructions, CNC precise machining allows a workpiece to be cut and shaped to specifications without manual intervention by a machine operator.

Taking a computer aided design (CAD) model provided by a customer, an expert machinist uses computer aided manufacturing software (CAM) to create the instructions for machining the part. Based on the CAD model, the software determines what tool paths are needed and generates the programming code that tells the machine:

What the correct RPMs and feed rates are
When and where to move the tool and/or workpiece
How deep to cut
When to apply coolant
Any other factors related to speed, feed rate, and coordination

A CNC controller then uses the programming code to control, automate, and monitor the movements of the machine.

Today, CNC is a built-in feature of a wide range of equipment, from lathes, mills, and routers to wire EDM (electrical discharge machining), laser, and plasma cutting machines. In addition to automating the machining process and enhancing precision, CNC eliminates manual tasks and frees machinists to oversee multiple machines running at the same time.

In addition, once a tool path has been designed and a machine is programmed, it can run a part any number of times. This provides a high level of precision and repeatability, which in turn makes the process highly cost effective and scalable.

Small machined parts and materials

Some metals that are commonly machined include aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, steel, titanium, and zinc. In addition, wood, foam, fiberglass, and plastics such as polypropylene can also be machined.

In fact, just about any material can be used with precision CNC metal machining — of course, depending on the application and its requirements.

Some advantages of precise machining small parts

For many of the small metal parts and precision metal components that are used in a wide range of manufactured products, precision CNC machining is often the fabrication method of choice.

As is true of virtually all cutting and small parts machining methods, different materials behave differently, and the size and shape of a component also have a big impact on the process. However, in general the process of precision CNC machining offers advantages over other machining methods.

That is because CNC machining is capable of delivering:

A high degree of part complexity
Tight tolerances, typically ranging from ±0.0002” (±0.00508 mm) to ±0.0005” (±0.0127 mm)
Exceptionally smooth surface finishes, including custom finishes
Repeatability, even at high volumes

While a skilled machinist can use a manual lathe to make a quality part in quantities of 10 or 100, what happens when you need 1,000 parts? 10,000 parts? 100,000 or a million parts?

With precision CNC machining, you can get the scalability and speed needed for this type of high-volume production. In addition, the high repeatability of precision CNC machining gives you parts that are all the same from start to finish, no matter how many parts you are producing.

CNC Machining Tolerance