The global machining market is huge, with traditional machining accounting for 30% and precision machining accounting for the remaining 70%, of which c&c machining is one.

Custom machining is the mainstream today, which makes it easier to order custom parts from a machining shop.

If you haven’t implemented custom machining for your business yet, you may be giving your competitors a significant advantage.

But what is custom machining? Why is it so important for your business?

In this article, we will cover various aspects of custom machining, including the huge benefits it brings to your business performance.

1.What is custom machining?

Custom machining includes various forms of CNC machining. It refers to ordering CNC machining services to meet specific requirements for various parts. This means that the purpose of choosing custom machining is to manufacture components that meet your business goals and do not exist elsewhere.

Therefore, if you have a brand new idea or invention, or require a part with non-standard dimensions, then custom machining is the best choice.

With this process, the setup time is very short, so high-quality components can be manufactured quickly from 3D CAD models. It also rarely involves minimum order quantities.

2.Types of custom machining services

Custom machining involves a variety of manufacturing technologies, from 5-axis CNC machining to metal forming. The best machining services use machines that can turn, mill, drill or finally cut these technologies.

1) CNC Milling

Milling uses a rotating device to remove and cut chips from the workpiece through physical contact.

Milling technology can be used for various purposes such as chamfering, grooving and threading. It can be used to create complex and intricate designs. The accuracy of CNC milling is unmatched with a tolerance of +/-0.01mm.

There are different sub-types under CNC machining services such as gear milling, surface milling and profile milling. Various milling processes can be used on metals such as aluminum, plastics and steel.

2) CNC Turning or Lathe

CNC turning or lathe machining is used to make cylindrical paths such as bushings or shafts. The performance of CNC equipment helps control the cutting tool to move back and forth along the side and axially while the metal part rotates.

The material around the metal is removed, thus creating the desired shape and diameter. Turning can be done with fixed or sliding head CNC machines. The latter is used to reduce the final production time and cost.

3) CNC multi-axis machine

CNC multi-axis machine tools are multiple spindles placed in a drum that can change position and rotate horizontally, allowing multiple operations to be completed simultaneously without multiple spindles.

This divides the work; one operation must be performed after another to complete the selected product.

Each time the drum rotates, a part of the processing is completed. Multiple spindles make CNC processing more efficient and economical than multiple equipment.

4) CNC laser cutting

This manufacturing technology involves the use of a laser beam to melt, evaporate or remove material. CNC laser cutting usually uses an optical system, a guidance system and auxiliary gas to guide the laser beam to the workpiece.

After the laser is electrically excited, the beam is reflected and amplified by a partial reflector. Once there is enough energy, the laser beam is focused on the workpiece.

CNC laser cutting is faster and has less waste, making it ideal for high-quality production of multiple materials.

5) CNC drilling

CNC drilling uses a multi-point drill bit to drill cylindrical holes in the workpiece. Vertical and angled drilling can be achieved using this method. Vertical drilling involves inserting a rotating drill into a workpiece with the help of a CNC machine.

Angular drilling can be complex; it uses clamping devices and specialized machine configurations. Some of the operations performed using CNC drilling include reaming, countersinking, and tapping.

6) Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM)

These are non-mechanical forms of material removal using corrosive chemicals or parts.

EDM utilizes an electrical spark that is transferred from an electrode to the surface of a conductive workpiece through a dielectric fluid. This method can machine fine features including double cavities, diameter holes, etc.

The discharge rate is generally not determined by hardness but by the conductivity of the metal, heat energy. Some manufacturers and engineers use sinking, wire etching, spark etching to describe EDM. The EDM process does not use mechanical force.

3.Why does your business need custom machining?

Whether it is plastic machining or metal machining such as aluminum, steel, brass, etc., custom machining has all the features and benefits of on-demand machining and even more. Different industries such as aerospace, automotive, consumer electronics, defense, etc. have benefited from custom machined parts.

Some of the benefits include:

1) High-precision, high-quality custom machined parts

Custom machining enables seamless production of complex applications. CNC production gives you extreme precision, even with unique features and tight tolerances.

CNC machines also continue to produce similar parts over and over again until you receive the last piece of your order.

2) Improved productivity and efficiency

CNC machines can now shoot around the clock. They use computer programs and instructions to perform, eliminating the possibility of human error. At the same time, they also guarantee consistency in production results.

3) Just-in-time production

CNC machining is a subtractive machining process. It involves removing certain parts of the metal to get the desired product. The computer control in the CNC machine ensures that the speed is kept within the set limits.

This way, errors are almost impossible. Moreover, with professional engineers, you can ensure that the project is completed faster. This means faster delivery times.

4) Affordability and higher profits

Since custom machining involves unique design of the product, you don’t have to spend more than you should. At the same time, you tend to get a high-quality product. All of this means higher profits in the long run.

4.When do you need a custom machining company?

Custom machining often comes in handy when you need to do one or more of the following:

1) Fabricate a new part with special requirements

Custom machining will help you complete a project that would otherwise require additional parts, human resources, and supplies to complete.

If you need to create a unique, “custom” part that is not available in a manufacturer’s catalog, you can be sure of better operation and smoother running with quality custom machining services.

2) Replace an obsolete or discontinued part

Manufacturers can use this process to modify an existing part that may be obsolete into one that is suitable for your purposes.

Custom machining can be reverse engineered to recreate custom machined parts that you may not find elsewhere.

3) Process difficult materials

Specialized CNC equipment includes machinery and parts that can perform complex processes. If you need to work with tough metals such as titanium, stainless steel, steel, etc., custom machining can give you the results you expect.

4) Others

Other reasons to choose custom machining include:

Small batch production

Need to combine multiple elements into one part

Emergency parts development

custom machining

5.Conclusion

Custom machining is taking over the rapid prototyping industry, bringing you many benefits throughout the product development process. Its applications are wide-ranging, including aerospace, automotive, medical, consumer electronics, and many other industries for manufacturing high-quality custom machined parts.

At Huilong Machining, our professional skills help us provide quality parts that satisfy our customers. Our professionals are also good at small batch production and building good relationships with suppliers, which improves our performance.