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Processing precision is one of the variables thats most often considered when deciding what fabrication or machining process is best to use. Its one of the criteria by which production capacity, material waste, and cost are considered. Every kind of machining and fabrication process has limitations on how precise the parts produced can be, and depending upon the application, this is an all-important factor. This article seeks to provide an overview of the various fabrication and machining processes and the range of precision that can be obtained from each.
Mill turning is a machining process that uses a rotating cutting tool to remove material from a workpiece. It is a very versatile process that can be used to achieve accuracy very close to the dimensions specified. The accuracy of the process is dependent upon the type of machine used, the type of tool used, and other factors such as the speed of the cut, the lubricant used, and the type of feed. For example, a CNC lathe is capable of producing very precise parts and its accuracy can be improved by using a specially-ground turning tool. For general-purpose machining this process can produce parts with tolerances up to 0.015 mm.
Milling is a machining process that uses a rotary cutting tool to remove material from a workpiece. It can be used to cut complex shapes and contours in a piece of material and is capable of creating a large range of parts with high precision and accuracy. Depending upon the type of machine used, milling is capable of producing parts with tolerances up to 0.005 mm.
Drilling is a machining process that uses a spiral cutting tool to create cylindrical holes in a piece of material. It is one of the most common and widely used machining processes and is capable of creating through holes, blind holes, and pockets in a piece of material. The accuracy of the process depends on the type of machine used and can vary from 0.02 mm to 0.2 mm.
Grinding is a machining process that uses an abrasive wheel to remove material from a workpiece. It is commonly used to shape and finish a workpiece and to create smooth, flat surfaces. This process can be used to achieve very close tolerances, depending upon the material and the grit of the wheel used. Generally, a maximum tolerance of 0.001 mm can be obtained using this process.
CNC machining is a machining process that uses computer numerical control (CNC) machines to accurately perform a variety of machining operations. CNC machining is increasingly being used for mass production of parts due to its high accuracy and consistency. For general-purpose machining this process can produce parts with tolerances up to 0.001 mm.
Welding is a process of joining two or more pieces of material together by applying heat, pressure, or by melting the pieces and allowing them to fuse together. It is often used to refurbish or repair worn out parts as well as for fabricating parts from raw materials. The accuracy of welding is dependent on the type of welding process used as well as the skill of the operator. Generally, tolerances between 0.2 and 0.3 mm can be achieved using this process.
These are just some of the common machining and fabrication processes and their typical range of accuracy. Depending upon the application, there may be other processes available that can achieve higher precision and tolerances. Its important to choose the right process to ensure that accuracy requirements are met, which in turn will ensure a cost-efficient and successful product.
