Many sectors require milling in manufacturing jobs.. Milling is a hole tool that tries to expand the mouth of a hole in turning. Compared to traditional milling machines, milling machines make these jobs much faster, easier and safer. Human labor reduced with CNC milling in many areas, especially molding and machine part production. Thanks to milling machines with extremely high data processing skills, their mass production potential is increasing. So what is CNC milling? What is a milling machine and how does it work? What are the parts of these machines and what are the works they do? In this article, we will share useful information about milling and briefly introduce milling machines.
What is CNC Milling?
First of all, let’s talk about milling briefly. In its most general definition, milling means machining a certain workpiece on a milling machine. The milling cutter is a steel tool that serves to widen the mouth of a hole in turning. The operations that take place on the workpiece using this tool provide solutions to many different needs in the manufacturing field. Many different solutions for turning and milling developed throughout history.In this context, the history of milling machines goes back a very long time. With the use of electric lathes, significant changes have also occurred in the history of milling machines.
Today, we see CNC lathes and milling machines in many different manufacturing processes. For example, CNC solutions have a widespread use in many areas from automotive to aviation, from machine manufacturing to defense industry. The most common areas of use are industrial production lines and assembly works. Many CNC milling solutions of different sizes also facilitate production processes in many other areas. For example, in the furniture industry, milling wood processing solutions are at the forefront. In recent years, production with milling cutters in our country has attracted great attention in many sectors.
Those who are looking for detailed information about the milling process want to know how this process takes place under computer control. In fact, CNC milling operation is a mechanical process. The computer drills the materials on the milling machine and performs other work. The whole operation takes place thanks to the incoming commands. The operator provides guidance in the relevant parts. Cnc Milling operator uses the machine. Incoming commands perform the entire operation. Thus, CNC milling machine writing programs by hand becomes more practical. Chip removal operations are the main business operation of the machine. Other operations outside of this operation occur with sub-programs. In addition to the main programs, the sub-programs also offer fast and practical solutions for milling work.
What is a CNC Milling Machine and How Does It Work?
To put it briefly, a CNC milling machine is a machine that removes chips from workpieces with its wheel with more than one cutting mouth. The most important difference of this machine from traditional milling machines is that the work processes proceed under the supervision of computer programs The , milling process continues with the program pre-installed on the machine. This program is entered into the counter via the control panel. The memory card saves the operation. In this way, the milling process proceeds smoothly. The operator steps in to solve any problems that may arise during the process. Thanks to CNC milling codes, there is always a chance of manual intervention in the system.
CNC milling machines usually have mehanite casting and rigid body structure. Roller bearings increase the load capacity of these machines In addition, high-resistance spindles prevent the machine from making too much noise while working These spindles facilitate the process of unloading the CNC milling pocket. Adjusting the lubrication feature on the machine according to the distance is also an important ease of use in this context. The automatic shutdown feature in milling machine types contributes to energy saving. The fact that it has an automatic tool changer prevents time loss during use. On the other hand, the fact that milling cycles take place under computer control reduces the possibility of errors. Ensures flawless operation of the milling axes.
Those who wonder what CNC milling is also curious about the way this machine works. In general, the CNC milling machine makes a linear motion of advancement. The knife is quite sturdy as there are multiple cutting edges on the counter. This part is specially designed to make linear movements. The process of removing chips from workpieces also occurs mainly with this movement. The details of the milling process are recorded in the special program installed on the memory card. Thus, there is no need to go over the same product over and over again. For milling to run smoothly, the tool changers need to be activated at the right time. For this, the automatic tool changer is activated. An automatic chip conveyor automatically removes chips from the workpiece.
What are the CNC Milling Machine Parts?
There are three main parts in a CNC milling machine. These are in the form of the main section, headings and accessories. In the main section there is the body and console, as well as the car and the tables. The heads are milling machine heads. The accessories consist of malafas, vices, divisor and counter tail and tie shoes.
How is CNC Milling Done?
To carry out CNC milling on any workpiece, it is first necessary to connect the workpiece to the machine. At this stage, it is performed to define the reference points of the part to the machine. The definition of the reference points of the part to the machine is provided by means of a precision receiving tip called a probe. As a matter of fact, the task of the probe tip is to transmit the raw size of the workpiece and its position on the machine to the machine. During milling, cutting tools thus have the opportunity to work with zero defects. After the part settles on the workbench, the cutting tools are placed in a special mechanism. The name of this mechanism is the magazine. CNC milling continues with the introduction of other mechanical systems that ensure the movement of the workpiece.
What are the Operations Performed on CNC Milling Machine?
If you have a good CNC milling machine in your business, it is possible to successfully carry out many of your manufacturing processes with it. One of the most curious questions about CNC milling is “What does a CNC milling machine do?” To put it briefly, milling machines first of all work on flat and angled surfaces. This process takes place in the form of chip removal from the surface and is also known as face milling. In addition, channel and threading and flat and circular partition making are among the processes that take place on milling machines. The main parts, heads and other accessories of these machines make it easy to carry out CNC milling for various purposes. The names of the operations that take place in the machines come from two main sources.
What is CNC Face Milling?
One of the most common milling jobs is face milling. During this process, the milling machine needs different tools. CNC programs run the tools in a harmonious way. As a matter of fact, the most important feature of these programs is that they give a flexible structure to CNC machine management works. This makes it easier to make changes to programs or undo changes. In face milling, milling cutters with 45 degree input angles are more in the foreground. However, within the framework of operator programming, round-end or edge mills also work in a coordinated manner during face milling.In this way, CNC milling angle machining on the surface takes place flawlessly.
What is CNC Milling Threading?
Threading is the opening of a thread slot into a hole on the workpiece. In this process, milling boring operations take place without using a guide. The computer controls special milling knives in CNC milling.The threading process of the cutting tools thus takes place with zero errors. In industrial manufacturing processes, CNC milling threading usually takes place together with processes such as pool machining, side top-up machining, channel opening. In addition, processes such as hole augmentation accompany these processes. CNC milling technology finishes very long jobs in a short time with human power.
What are the Meanings of G Codes on CNC Milling Machines?
In CNC milling works, the operator has the opportunity to intervene in the processes when necessary by using G codes. These codes also memorize a specific milling operation. Thus, it saves time in cases that require repetition. The most important of these codes are as follows with their meanings.
- G00: Accelerates the cutting tool.
- G01: Moves the cutting tool in a linear direction.
- G02: Clockwise circular motion command.
- G03: Circular motion command counterclockwise.
- G04: Temporarily stops the system.
- G17: Selects X-Y planes.
- G18: X-Z makes plane selection.
- G19: Makes Y-Z plane selection.
- G20: Switches to inch measurement system.
- G32: A threading command.
- G84: Provides threading cycle.
- G92: Provides threading cycle.
- G98: regulates progress in mm/min.
- G99: regulates progress in mm/rpm.
What are the Advantages of CNC Milling Machine?
- Reduces the need for human labor. Compared to traditional machines, all processes are completed in a much shorter time in CNC milling machines.
- Keeps the production process at the same pace. Thus, it provides predictability. Reduces the risk of errors in planning processes.
- Simplifies the preliminary preparation process of the workpiece. Since the machine placement and positioning works are carried out by means of special ends, the possibility of error is negligible.
- Even in difficult and heavy materials to process, CNC milling methods offer practical solutions. It saves on the costs of transporting and machining workpieces.
- Increases mass production potentials. If a transaction that takes place on the machine enters the memory, it will happen many times without any problems. In this way, speed and efficiency increase occurs in mass production.
- Prevents production errors thanks to precise measurement and accurate coding. As a matter of fact, since the influence of the operator is limited, processes such as mold and metal part solutions are completed with zero errors.
- Special battery systems that feed CNC milling machines are activated during power outages. Thus, the uninterrupted flow of production is ensured.
Haven’t you met Ino Machinery Milling Machines yet?
We would like to complete this article where we share useful information about milling with a little reminder. As Ino Machinery, we have been producing in the field of CNC machines and machines since 2010 and meet the needs of different sectors. In our factory serving in Bursa Kestel, we are also raising the standards in the field of CNC milling. As a matter of fact, CNC milling is an operation that requires high precision. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce human errors as much as possible. The milling machines we produce for this purpose provide qualified solutions to milling needs in many sectors. You can visit our Milling Cutters page to review the milling machines in our product portfolio.