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Manufacturing Technology Insights | Monday, February 06, 2023
The machining of stainless steel parts is easier than the machining of titanium parts, but conventional machining techniques usually alter the quality of the parts.
Fremont, CA: The term precision manufacturing refers to the removal of material from sheets or blocks of material to form desired shapes. CNC machines enable precision manufacturing to cut parts to exact specifications, unlike the days when hammers and blades were used for fabrication.
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In modern society, precision machining is finding ever-increasing applications. As a result, manifolds, bushings, and landing gear parts are now created with them in the aerospace industry. Surgical implants, prostheses, and orthotic devices rely heavily on them as well.
Precision manufacturing has 4 important benefits
The first benefit is that the cost is lower and the tolerance is tighter
Across a wide range of industries, there is an increasing need for complex custom parts with tight tolerances. For milled features, precision CNC machining tools can guarantee tolerances as close as +/- 0.0005", and for turned parts, as close as +/- 0.0001.
Using conventional machining methods to maintain these tolerances will cost you a lot of money.
Benefit No. 2: Fast Production
Today, precision manufacturing is one of the fastest machining methods available. A precision machining process differs from conventional machining, which relies on human control because it creates custom parts based on 3D CAD models, software (e.g., G-code), and advanced machining equipment.
As a result, you can produce parts within a couple of days rather than weeks or months, as it might take for conventional machining methods.
The third benefit is its compatibility with a wide variety of materials
Despite the low thermal conductivity, the chemical reactivity, and the high hardness of titanium, machining presents a variety of challenges to product designers. The machining of stainless steel parts is easier than the machining of titanium parts, but conventional machining techniques usually alter the quality of the parts.
In addition to titanium, stainless steel, tool steel, structural steel, copper alloys, plastics, and aluminum alloys, precision machining can be used to machine many other materials.
Benefit No. 4: Easier Testing and Prototyping
As part of most manufacturing processes, prototypes are a staple. Product designers use prototypes to test their creations, find potential flaws, and avoid costly mistakes. Without it, many industries would not have reached their technological levels today. In order to test prototypes, however, you need a method of machining that is fast and reliable.
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