As reported by Modern Machine Shop in the article, “Machining 101: What is Turning?”, turning is a fundamental machining process that removes material from the outer diameter of a rotating workpiece using lathes. This process is critical to industries ranging from automotive to aerospace, allowing manufacturers to create precise, high-quality parts.
In CNC turning, a computer numerically controls the lathe’s movement, optimizing the machining process by adjusting the tool’s speed as it moves across the workpiece. This constant surface speed control ensures consistent material removal. Modern CNC lathes come with either single or double turret configurations, enhancing versatility for various applications.
Tool geometry plays a pivotal role in the effectiveness of the turning process. The top rake and side rake angles, along with other geometries, significantly impact cutting performance, chip formation, and the durability of the tool. These angles are adjusted depending on the material being machined, with softer metals requiring high positive shear angles and tougher materials often benefitting from neutral or negative rake angles.
Speed and feed rates are other critical components of CNC turning. The cutting speed refers to the distance traveled by a point on the part surface, while the feed rate measures the linear distance the tool travels across the workpiece. Adjusting these factors ensures an optimal balance between material removal and surface finish, especially during roughing and finishing operations.
The evolution from high-speed steel tools to carbide inserts has improved tool life and productivity, although carbide tools are more expensive and require specialized knowledge for sharpening.
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Article with all rights reserved, courtesy of mmsonline.com.