The term “machining” refers to a finishing process in which a manufacturer carefully and selectively cuts away material from a workpiece. For example, this process may involve removing burrs from castings, or drilling holes through solid metal components to facilitate mechanical assembly. Surprisingly perhaps, many historians maintain the machining process did not occur as a formal manufacturing step until after the dawn of the Industrial Revolution. Machining became a recognized occupation roughly 150 years ago. Today most metal parts fabrication facilities maintain machining divisions.

 

Some operations occur frequently during machining. Performed by individuals or automated machinery, these manufacturing steps help generate finished products. Some common operations include:

Turning – During this process, a metal worker rotates a workpiece against a cutting blade, (frequently using a lathe). This operation typically helps create cylindrical finished parts, such as chair legs. Turning creates both simple and ornate shapes.

Drilling -A manufacturer pierces a metal workpiece with a rotating cutting blade during drilling. This process results in the formation of cavities or holes. It provides great assistance to manufacturers building mechanical assemblies.

Boring – During boring, a secondary finishing operation, a rotating tool generates a larger cylindrical cavity in a workpiece after drilling. Boring enables a skilled machinist to create an aperture fitting the conformation of a fastening device, for example. It occurs frequently during the construction of finished mechanical assemblies.

Milling – Milling involves the use of a rotary cutting tool to help finish the surface of a workpiece through the selective removal of material. For example, during milling, a manufacturer may grind away a burr to produce a smoother texture. This process frequently involves the use of tools which crush or pulverize surface protrusions.

Reaming – During reaming, another secondary finishing operation, a rotating tool equipped with cutting blades enlarges the diameter of a hole in a workpiece. Much as boring expands a drilled cavity, reaming widens the dimensions of the hole. Reaming tools allow jewelers to widen narrow holes in glass, stone, plastic, wood, bone, or metal beads, for example.

 

The selective removal of workpiece material which occurs during machining supplies some important advantages during manufacturing. First, machining helps ensure mass produced parts conform more closely to their desired specifications. For example, it will enable a manufacturer to cut away burrs which might otherwise prevent the part from meeting quality control parameters.

Second, this process sometimes helps a manufacturer achieve desired finishing surface properties which may impact the marketability of the part. For instance, the manufacturer may cut away a dying blemish before polishing the surface to obtain a uniform, attractive finish. The parts which have undergone machining often sell for more competitive prices.

Third, machining represents a highly cost-effective process for finishing some limited production runs. While generally more labor intensive than some other processes, it usually contributes value to the finished goods. Bunty LLC helps customers plan efficient machining steps.

 

Why do so many satisfied customers preferentially select our company’s machining operations? Bunty LLC will help your enterprise provide this finishing process as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. One of the most important benefits we offer includes providing assistance from an experienced, knowledgeable staff. Additionally, we possess a background in supplying high quality customized parts designed and produced to customer specifications.

Another, very important, advantage you obtain by relying on Bunty LLC relates to our superb machinery production capabilities. Obtain significant time and money savings by allowing our modern facility to complete contract machining projects for you! We’ve invested in automated, state-of-the-art production capabilities. Customers can depend on our ability to machine metal parts and components within high tolerance ranges accurately.

We also offer just-in-time delivery. This proven manufacturing step helps contribute to leaner, more robust and agile manufacturing. Trim away unnecessary and time-consuming operations by outsourcing your machining to Bunty LLC’s skilled production team!

 

Exploring four popular machining processes illustrates the uses of machining. Just consider several examples widely employed during industrial parts manufacturing:

Process: Milling selectively cuts or grinds away material along a work plane to create the desired finishing texture. In the past, manufacturers frequently utilized rotary cutters mounted on a milling machine; today, automated machinery predominates.

Most Frequent Use: This machinery finishes rough and irregular surfaces.

Benefits: Milling creates desired surface textures.

Process: Honing involves the use of a tool designed to help expand holes within precise tolerance ranges utilizing a mechanically rotated abrasive.

Most Frequent Use: This process helps finish the cylinders and gears used in gasoline-powered auto engines.

Benefits: Honing enhances surface texture by removing small burrs.

Process: Plasma cutting occurs in welding. Is involves the use of extremely hot plasma torches to slice through metals with the assistance of an electrical current.

Most Frequent Use: This process cuts through steel infrastructure.

Benefits: Plasma cutting expedites the speed of many fabrication projects.

Process: Computerized 5-axis machining tools have automated the process of finishing machined parts. Manufacturers load them with raw materials a single time to obtain the benefits of multiple finishing machining procedures.

Most Frequent Use: These sophisticated CNC machines have found an increasing number of uses in modern factories, as software companies have written programs covering more components. This tool helps finish a variety of parts.

Benefits: This innovation reduces labor costs and finishing times.