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Home / Manufacturing Processes / CNC Machining
Subtractive Manufacturing

Cut away material. Control the geometry.

CNC machining uses computer-controlled machine tools to remove material from a workpiece and produce defined dimensions, features, surfaces, holes, threads, pockets, contours, and other geometry.

CNC machining process in an industrial facility
Method Milling
Method Turning
Material Metal + Plastic
Control Digital Toolpaths
11
Process Overview

CNC machining converts digital geometry into controlled cutting

CNC machining converts digital geometry into controlled cutting motion.

Machine tools move a cutting tool, workpiece, or both according to a programmed toolpath. Material is removed until the required geometry and dimensions are produced.

The process is widely used for prototypes and production parts because it can work with many engineering materials while supporting detailed geometry without dedicated molds or dies for every part.

Machining Methods Machine configuration changes how the cutting tool reaches the part.
01 / MILLING

CNC Milling

Rotating tools cut a workpiece held in a fixture or workholding system to create faces, slots, pockets, holes, contours, and complex geometry.

02 / TURNING

CNC Turning

The workpiece rotates while controlled cutting tools produce cylindrical, threaded, tapered, bored, and faced features.

03 / MULTI-AXIS

Multi-Axis Machining

Additional rotary or positioning axes can improve access to multiple sides and reduce part handling between setups.

04 / MILL-TURN

Combined Machining

Machines combining turning and milling operations can complete complex parts with fewer transfers between machines.

Process Variables The same drawing can require very different machining strategies.
01
Material

Hardness, strength, abrasiveness, thermal behavior, and chip formation influence tooling and cutting conditions.

02
Geometry

Deep cavities, thin walls, long features, small internal radii, and complex surfaces can increase manufacturing difficulty.

03
Tolerances

Tighter requirements can increase process control, finishing passes, inspection, and setup demands.

04
Workholding

The part must be located and secured without blocking required cutting access or distorting the workpiece.

05
Quantity

Recurring volume may justify dedicated fixtures, automation, preset tooling, and cycle-time optimization.

Machining DFM Every difficult feature adds something to the process.

A machining supplier may need additional tools, setups, fixtures, inspection methods, or cutting time to create geometry that is difficult to access or control.

Use the widest practical internal corner radii
Avoid unnecessarily deep narrow cavities
Apply tight tolerances only where function requires them
Consider how the part can be held during each operation
Reduce separate setups where geometry allows
Use standard material stock sizes when practical
Precision machining equipment
Machining Materials Material selection influences cutting strategy and production economics.
01

Aluminum

Widely machined for lightweight components, housings, fixtures, structures, and precision parts.

02

Steel & Stainless Steel

Machining behavior varies significantly with grade, hardness, alloy content, and heat treatment.

03

Engineering Plastics

Machined polymers may require control of heat, stress, clamping, dimensional stability, and surface finish.

Outsourcing machined components?

Review machining suppliers by equipment, materials, tolerance capability, inspection, quantities, secondary operations, and production fit.

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