CNC Operations

 

CNC machining centres find various types of applications across industries. At First Part, our machining centres may be used for numerous operations such as CNC milling, CNC turning, grinding, knurling and more. Depending on the type of part to be manufactured and the desired finish, parts are most commonly milled or turned.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Precision and accuracy 

high accuracy and precision, tolerances within the 0.001 to 0.005 range

Scalability and repeatability

High-quality parts from 1 to 10,000 parts without compromising on cost and quality.

Cost-effectiveness

Lack of massive tooling investment and cost-efficiency of CNC machining in producing your end-parts.

Material diversity and options

Choose from over 30 engineering grade plastic and metal for the best functionality, accuracy and finish.

Quick and fast turnaround

Deliver high-precision quick turning and milling parts in as little as 24 hours.

Custom surface finishes

An array of specialized finishes, customized touches to optimize your product needs, finished to bespoke specifications

 

Applications Of CNC Machining

 

First Part is a leading rapid prototyping, rapid tooling & low-volume manufacturing in the world. CNC precision machining can be applied for:

 

Industries Of CNC Machining

 

CNC turning and milling operations are of utmost importance in many industries and economic sectors. CNC machining prototype is even important for other machining processes like urethane casting and injection molding. Some of the industries where CNC machining is widely applied are listed below:

 

Aerospace and Defense

Industrial

Education

Automotive

Electronics

Robotics

Energy

Medical and Dental

Consumer electronics 

Material Options 

 

Our catalogue of materials includes a plastic, metal and composite manufacturing options. We work with metals including aluminium, magnesium, steel, titanium, brass and more. In addition to our stock material options, Firstpart can source for desired materials and provide machining with customized raw materials that will match the desired application of your part.

 

Plastic: ABS, ABS+PC, PC, PP, PEEK, POM, Acrylic (PMMA), Teflon, PS, HDPE, PPS, DHPE, PA6, PA66, PEI, PVC, PET, PPS, PTFE                 and view more.

Finishing Options

 

CNC precision machining parts can be finished in many ways that may cover purely aesthetic finishes or offer some form of protection to the part. Finishes should beautify, enhance sophistication and functionality of any part. At Firstpart, our CNC-manufactured part maybe finished in any of the following options

 

Tolerance Of CNC Machining in First Part

 

Our precision CNC machining centres can manufacture small to large part sizes with tight tolerances and high precision. Our general tolerance limits for CNC machined metals and plastics is generally affected by the material type and the part geometry. See below our general tolerance limits for metal and plastic materials:

 

With our precision CNC machining machines, we may be able to achieve even tighter tolerances on individual parts. This is however subject to additional costs and price-per-part.

 

Why Choose First Part

 

With over 10 years’ experience in CNC and general machining services, Firstpart is one of the best rapid prototyping and CNC machining services in China. Here’s why:

 

 

 

What is CNC Milling

CNC milling is a part fabrication technique carried out with the aid of a high-speed automated cutting machine designed to remove unwanted material from a part. CNC mills are available in various sizes, capacity and axial configurations. They can work with a variety of materials like plastic, resins, aluminium and more, but are specially designed for machining harder materials like stainless steel and titanium with high precision and accuracy.

 

How CNC Milling Works

CNC milling involves the use of a high-speed rotary tool or drill to remove material from a block while the workpiece is held securely in a jig or vice. In CNC milling operations, the mill head may move in 3-5 axes relative to the material, cutting the workpiece in a manner directed by the CAD/G-code while the workpiece remains stationery.

 

Our CNC milling process is capable of 3-axis (x,y and z), 4-axis and 5-axis (x,y,z, A and B) milling for high speed cutting of engineering-grade materials into product prototypes and precision end-use parts. We also have indexed and continuous 5-axis milling process to achieve even more complex cuts and part design.

 

Types of CNC Mills and Axial configurations

The operational capabilities of a CNC milling machine include cutting flat and shallow surfaces, deep cavities, flat-bottom cavities, slots, threads and more into any workpiece. The level of precision and capability varies with the number of axis in the mill. The typical configurations include:

 

3-axis CNC mills

These are the most common types of CNC mills. They machine parts with the use of the primary X, Y and Z axis.

 

4-axis CNC mills

These type of CNC milling machines allows for additional rotation of the workpiece on the vertical axis to allow more continuous operation.

 

Indexed 5-axis CNC milling

5-axis, also known as 3+2 axis CNC machines are milling centres developed to lower the setup time of having multiple orientations. During operations, these mills can rotate the tool head and/or the bed to access the workpiece from another angle.

 

Continuous 5-axis CNC milling

The continuous 5-axis CNC milling machines are similar to the indexed setups. They allow the movement of all axis (X,Y,Z, A and B) concurrently during machining. It allows for continuous movement that enhances the accuracy and the cut and allows for parts with complex geometries to be manufactured.

 

Other benefits of CNC milling

CNC mills can perform value-added services with high precision and scalability. This makes them an ideal candidate for low-volume production runs, rapid tooling and rapid prototyping. Their material diversity also makes them a great fit for use across any industry.

 

 

How CNC Turning Works

 

Performed on a lathe, CNC turning will produce parts by rotating the workpiece at high speeds around a stationary cutting tool till the desired form is attained. The process involves the securing of a material bar in a chuck while rotating them to a cutting tool to strip the original workpiece of material. The cutting tool will typically move along the X, Y and Z axis relative to the part.

 

CNC turning is more cost-effective than CNC milling. This is because of their rate of production and suitability for larger parts.

 

The ideal CNC turning centre will have more than one turret. The turning operation can be completed faster when there is a main spindle and sub spindle. The turning action will entail the main spindle machining the part to a considerable extent before passing it off to the sub spindle to complete the remainder operations.

 

After the part has been machined, deburring often follows. The part may then be transferred to a mill to add certain features that may not be possible on the lathe.

CNC Turning Techniques

CNC turning can be performed with a number of techniques. Depending on the type of part, geometry and end-use, First Part can create CNC turned parts with any of the following methods:

 

Multi-function turning

Depending on the model, CNC lathes are capable of high-speed turning and milling. These machines are available at First Part to help handle the complexity and freedom required for the entire CNC machining process.

 

Multi-part turning

Advanced CNC turning capability that allows speciality CNC lathes machine up to three or four workpieces simultaneously. A key feature is the flexibility around the path and axis to enable synergy in the part movement.

 

Swiss-type turning

This type of turning technique is ideal for the manufacturing of small, medium size, high-precision components and parts. Swiss equipment and parts are often manufactured to serve the medical/dental industries. They are capable of making multiple parts within the same manufacturing cycle.

 

Other benefits of CNC Turning

CNC turning centres can create round/cylindrical parts accurately, affordably and flexibly. CNC turned parts have excellent repeatability, scalability and diversity in applications. They are suitable for a range of process including threading, knurling, drilling and boring.

 

The above materials are the most common stock CNC prototyping and production materials. If the desired material is not listed above, please contact our team here.

 

To learn more about our other options and custom material application by clicking here to go to our materials page

 

Can’t find the desired finish? Click here to go to our finishing page and learn more about our array of finishing options in detail. We also offer custom finishing touches to help you achieve the desired finish or finishes for various part of your part. 

 

·Standard/As manufactured

 Machined parts are left as manufactured. There will be visible tooling marks on the part.

 

·Bead blasting

 A surface smoothing operation that involves the direction of fine glass beads at a part’s surface under high pressure. Bead blasting creates a   smooth, uniform surface finish on the part.

 

·Sanding

A surface smoothing and polishing method done with the aid of a sandpaper or sand. The size of the pores in the sandpaper determines the type of smoothness achievable.

 

·Painting

3D printed parts may be masked and spray-painted to any colour with automotive quality paints after sanding and polishing have been carried out to smoothen the surface.

 

·Plating

Electroplating (such as Nickel plating) is used to improve the strength and durability of metallic parts.

 

·Electropolishing

An electrochemical process used to remove some material from the finished workpiece in order to reduce surface roughness and enhance the surface finish.

 

·Brushing

Brushed machined parts have a satin-like, one-direction finish. It is achieved by using a grit belt or wheel, non-woven abrasive belt or pad to produce a polished finish in a metal part.

 

·Chrome-plating

This involves the deposition of a thin chromium layer onto a metal part through an electroplating process. The chromium layer may serve decorative functions, make the part anti-corrosion or improve the surface hardness. 

 

·Polishing

Used for creating high-quality surface finish in CNC machined parts. Before polishing, parts should be sanded and smoothed to ensure that final surface looks and fees as intended.

 

·Texturing

Texturing helps to enhance the ergonomics, cosmetics and weather resistance. It is used to give machined parts improved grip, reduce their slipperiness and mimic certain textures.

 

·Custom

An array of custom finishes are also available for your part depending on material and purpose of the end-use part.

 

·Anodizing

An electrolytic passivation process used to increase the thickness of the natural oxide layer on the surface of the part. This can be used for decorative, anti-corrosion or surface hardness treatments. Anodizing is most common with aluminium parts.

 

What is CNC Turning

 

CNC turning operations are designed for making final parts with axial and radial holes, internal diameters, grooves and slots. Our CNC turning centres are capable of high-speed turning of both plastic and metals to create end-parts with complex external geometries, cylindrical features, threads and internal bores.

 

High-precision end-part production

CNC machining, through milling, turning, kneading, knurling, cutting, sanding and grinding can be used to manufacture high-quality parts with tight tolerances and exceptional degrees of precision, accuracy and functionality.

Rapid tooling/Mold making

CNC can be used along with other technologies in making highly detailed and accurate tooling parts for the manufacturing of large-volume parts. CNC may also be used in the creation of injection molding molds, die-casting molds and other master patterns.

Rapid prototyping

CNC machining is excellent for quick prototyping, rapid testing and shortening product development cycles. In only  matter of hours, CNC can accelerate you from digitized CAD data to fully-functional prototypes.

Swiss manufacturing

CNC milling and turning is widely used to create high-precision unit of small parts with tight tolerances for use in medicine, surgery and dentistry.

Low-volume manufacturing

CNC is an excellent technique for making low-volume units of prototypes, product components or bridge-to-market units of end-parts.

Low-volume manufacturing

CNC is an excellent technique for making low-volume units of prototypes, product components or bridge-to-market units of end-parts.

 

Quality and Reliability

First Part is dedicated to meeting high quality standards, delivering part on time with precision, accuracy and reliability. We follow strict quality control systems to ensure that only the best parts are delivered.

Cost-effectiveness and Turnaround

Budget maximization and design optimization to ensure cost-effectiveness and quick turnarounds for low-volume and mass manufacturing.

Capacity and Network

Excellent in-house capacity and capabilities, guaranteeing that your parts are made from top quality from start to finish. Enjoy non-disclosure agreements and take advantage of our network of over 20 CNC machining centres to manufacture parts home and abroad.

 

What is CNC Machining

 

The term CNC widely refers to the “computer numerical control” technology that is used in the subtractive manufacturing process. CNC machining is a manufacturing technology involving the use of computer-aided controls and machine tools to remove layers/portions of a stock material/workpiece till a desired custom and final part is made from the workpiece. 

 

 

 

At First Part, our CNC machining process is widely applied in new product development, rapid tooling, product prototyping and end-product manufacturing. It is suitable for use with an diverse range of materials (ceramic, plastic, wood, metal, composite, foam and glass), and can be used across a wide array of industries.

 

 

Our experience over the years has put us in prime position for CNC operations, allowing us to leverage this automated machining capabilities to deliver even the most complex parts with excellence, speed and high precision.  Click here & request your custom quote!

 

Metal: Aluminium, Brass, Copper, Magnesium, Titanium, Stainless Steel, Tin, Zinc and view more.

 

Advantage Of CNC Machining 

 

At First Part, our unique CNC precision machining capabilities allows you to take advantage of speed, precision, size, cost and even volume. With over 25 engineering-grade materials to choose from, we deliver CNC machining services that allows you to machine parts in your desired material without compromising on cost, functionality and speed. With CNC machining you can meet a wide range of your product development needs. Here are the major benefits of precision CNC machining:

 

 

 

Request A Quote

 

Ready to get started? Contact us with details of your project to take advantage of our automated electronic quoting service, design verification process and excellent customer feedback program. With an extensive amount of finishing options to compliment a wide range of material types, over 100 CNC machining centres and deeply-rooted industry experience, Firstpart is always willing to collaborate and deliver functional end-use parts with quality you can trust every time.

 

Click here to get in touch with us and get a free quote now!