2021: Seven Tips to Reduce Manufacturing Cost and Time of CNC Machining Parts

What is CNC machining?

CNC is abbreviated as numerical control machining, and numerical control machining usually refers to the computer numerical control processing of precision machining tools on a numerical control lathe. Although compared with ordinary lathe processing, the processing technology is basically the same, but the changes are obvious. The CNC machining operation method that uses the CNC system to control the access of parts and tools is an effective solution to the problems of multiple varieties, small batches, complexity, and high precision of CNC machining parts. Realize high-efficiency automatic CNC machining. CNC machining is used to manufacture customized parts with tight tolerances and strong strength. In fact, it is a cost-effective and fast method of producing parts and prototypes. Optimizing the design of CNC machining parts helps reduce production time and save costs. The following are suggestions for optimizing the design of various CNC machining parts.

Reduce ordering costs in seven ways?

CNC machining time

The long time of the CNC machining process leads to the formation of costs. The more processing time, the main factor in the processing process. Reduce unit cost through mass production orders.

CNC machining materials

In CNC machining of metal materials, the cost of bulk materials and the ease of material machining have a great impact on the overall cost. Optimizing your design, taking into account the material, can greatly reduce the price.
 

Rounded inner corners

In order to ensure that your design does not slow down the speed of CNC machining tools, let them complete the machining automatically. Tools like milling cutters and end milling cutters will automatically leave the inner corners of the rounded corners. The larger the corner radius, the less material the tool removes, which reduces the number of CNC machining processes.

The inner corner radius with the ratio of length to diameter greater than 3:1 is narrower, requiring more hole patterns and special small tools, increasing the CNC machining time and requiring tool replacement. You can reduce CNC machining time and tool changes by maintaining the same radius for all internal corners.

Clear deep cavity

The face milling cutter has a limited cutting length, which is the best cutting hole. The quantity designed with a deep cavity is usually like a deep hole, and the geometry affects the CNC machining time and material cost. These designs increase the CNC machining time to create void materials, to create voids, and to cultivate technology. The long and thin knives required for manufacturing are also prone to breakage. The best way is to keep the length of the CNC machined part at most four times the depth of the part.

Thin wall machining

You should notice that CNC parts with thin walls like flutter. CNC machined parts with too thin walls are usually defined as thinner than 0.794 mm (1/32 inch). If not processed properly, the thin wall will cause deformation, making it difficult to maintain tolerances. They can also cause vibrato and slow down the speed of CNC machining machines. Both of these will lead to additional costs and increased time. Other manufacturing methods, such as sheet metal manufacturing, CNC machining and manufacturing are more cost-effective than this thin wall, or reduce the processing cost by increasing the thickness of the thin wall.

Tolerance size

Not every CNC machined part is designed to have strict tolerances. Too many unnecessary tolerances will increase the cost of CNC machined parts. In general, numerical labeling is a function that only requires a part that is absolutely critical to the surface and the feature, where it interfaces with others. Less important features can be processed with standard tolerances of +/-0.127mm (+/-0.005 in.).

Reduce the complexity of CNC machining parts

You should note that simple CNC machining parts are cheaper than CNC machining complex parts. For parts with tapered holes and deep cavities that take several hours to process to remove material, most CNC machining services charge a lot. If the performance requirements of the CNC machined parts are not high, the part structure can be changed to reduce the cost. It can also be considered to split the complex CNC machining parts into several simple parts and then assemble them.