What is CNC Milling?

Introduction to CNC Milling

CNC milling involves the use of automated cutting machines equipped with a rotating spindle-head to

remove unwanted material. These machines come in various sizes and configurations, allowing for

versatile applications.

While CNC milling is commonly employed for cutting tougher metals, it can also handle materials ranging

from plastics and aluminum to stainless steel and titanium.

How CNC Milling Operates

CNC milling machines excel in precision cutting, particularly in harder materials. Similar to other CNC

equipment, these mills rely on G-Code instructions generated using CAM software.

G-Code dictates the machine's tool head movement, spindle speed, cutting depth, workpiece positioning,

and various parameters related to speed, feed rate, and coordination.

The complexity of the G-Code depends on the number of axes the milling machine possesses.

Milling machines can also perform profile cutting in softer materials, but CNC routers are more

cost-effective for such applications. The primary distinction lies in the fact that CNC routers keep the

workpiece stationary while directing the router cutting head around it, whereas CNC mills can move both

the tool head and the workpiece.

CNC milling is predominantly employed in industrial manufacturing, whereas CNC routing is common in

low-output manufacturing, such as woodworking.