CNC Turning

As one of the basic CNC machining process, the CNC turning process is a way to employ single-point cutting tools and remove material from the rotating workpiece. In CNC turning, the machine—typically a CNC lathe machine—feeds the cutting tool in a linear motion along the surface of the rotating workpiece, removing material around the circumference until the desired diameter is achieved, to produce cylindrical parts with external and internal features, such as slots, tapers, and threads. Operational capabilities of the turning process include boring, facing, grooving, and thread cutting. When it comes down to a CNC mill vs lathe, milling works better for more complex parts with rotating cutting tools. However, with rotating workpieces and stationary cutting tools, lathes work best for faster, more accurate creation of round parts.