What To Know About Machining In Chicago IL

By Carl Cole


Machining refers to the process of using power tools to cut raw materials into desired final shapes and sizes. The cutting is done using a controlled material-removal process. Machining falls under a method of manufacturing referred to as subtractive manufacturing. Machining in Chicago IL is done by experts in the process. These experts offer services to clients of different types including government agencies, companies, and individuals.

Another definition of machining is a kind of subtractive manufacturing that makes use of a set of material-working processes that utilize power-driven machine tools to produce desired geometry in materials. Materials are removed physically using power tools such as drill presses, lathes, saws, and milling machines. These tools are not used alone, but together with sharp cutting tools.

CNC is employed in many machining applications today. CNC stands for Computer Numeric Control. With CNC machines, the machines are fed with commands by the programmer so that tools are chosen automatically and parts are machined to the required shapes and sizes. Integrated into the process are CAD and CAM. The accuracy and efficiency of the process have been improved a lot by the incorporation of CAM and CAD.

Metal products were the only kind of products that could be machined initially. However, with better technology coming up, it became possible to machine just about any material. Glass, ceramic, wood, plastic, and stone are some of the materials that can be machined today. Composite materials are also capable of being machined. Depending on the application, end-products can be of any size and shape. Round, hexagon, rectangle, square, and oval are some of the shapes that can be achieved.

CNC machines can machine plates of varying thicknesses including castings, molded parts, forgings, coils, sheets, and billet among many others. The size can be as small as 0.003 inches to whatever maximum one needs. The weight of the products machined can also vary a lot, but machines usually have certain maximum values. The machines are usually high speed and the choice of tools usually depends on the kind of material being machined.

Carbide tipped tools are usually used on hard materials. Accuracy is improved by ensuring that the tools are sharpened properly. To avoid deformation in materials with low thermal conductivity, good heat flow must be guaranteed. Deformation is usually more of a problem in softer materials such as plastics. Heat is usually eliminated by being dissipated through the chips produced.

There are several different methods used in the machining process. Some of these methods include turning, milling, drilling, sawing, and thread cutting. End-milling is preferred for being more economical than peripheral milling in plane surfaces. Turning is preferred in circumstances in which high quality requirements are involved. The geometry of the cutting edge must be designed to suit the machining situation.

Twist drill is the form of drilling used. The angle at which twist drills are placed range between 12 and 16 degrees. Spiral grooves are made very smooth in order to attain the best level of swarf removal. In order to increase precision when drilling larger holes, a pilot hole is made first. If a pilot hole is not made, hollow drills may be used or trepanning.




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