Difference between CNC Milling vs CNC Turning

CNC Turning and Milling: Do You Understand the Difference Between Them?

What is CNC Turning?

Turning is a process in which a workpiece rotates while a cutting tool removes material from it. The cutting tool is typically a single-point, non-rotating tool that moves along the workpiece and continually removes layers of material according to the design until it matches the desired shape.

Before computers were applied to this industry, the procedure was manual and required constant supervision to achieve defined goals. Nowadays, turning is typically performed by automated machines following algorithms and numerical rules.

CNC turning can effectively produce different shapes, like cones, cylinders, disks, polygons, and sometimes even hexagons or other regular polygons. Different shapes are developed by combining numerous processes, including turning (taper or straight), external grooving, threading, knurling, boring, and drilling. While you can use many materials for turning, wood, plastic, or metal are most common.

What is CNC Milling?

Unlike in turning, the workpiece does not rotate during milling operations. Instead, the cutting tool rotates and moves while the workpiece remains stationary, although the workpiece can move between operations. Additionally, tool movement can take place along several different axes to achieve more complex designs.

Since the ’60s, computer numerical control (CNC) milling has increasingly been used in place of manual milling. CNC milling is much faster and can produce both simple and complex shapes, from rings, necklaces, and key holders to automotive and aerospace parts with complex geometries, such as engine components.

Milling can include any combination of face milling, plain milling, or angular milling processes to achieve highly complex shapes. Metals, plastics, composites, and wood are all suitable materials for this process.

The Differences Between CNC Turning and Milling

The most significant difference between turning and milling is how the workpiece and tooling move.

This simple difference reflects the shapes that each method can produce. And the following table highlights the key differences between these manufacturing processes for easy reference.