ภาษาไทย
EnglishWhat is CNC turning, and how is it different from manual turning?
By the team at A.T. Industrial Part · Updated
In short
CNC turning uses a lathe whose tool movements are driven by a computer program; on a manual lathe, a machinist feeds the tool by hand. A CNC lathe repeats the same part to the same size every time, runs faster and handles complex profiles better, so it suits production runs. A manual lathe still makes sense for one-offs, repairs and simple jobs that are not worth programming.
What is turning?
Turning removes material from a workpiece that spins in the lathe while a cutting tool moves along and across it. It produces round parts such as shafts, bushings, flanges, pins and fittings. Typical lathe operations are:
- Facing, to square the end of the part and set its length
- Outside turning, to bring the outside diameter down to size
- Drilling and boring, to make and size internal holes
- Threading, both external and internal
- Grooving, chamfering and parting off
How does a CNC lathe work?
CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control. A typical CNC turning job goes like this:
- Read the drawing for dimensions, tolerances and material.
- Write the program: tool paths, spindle speeds and feed rates.
- Set up the machine, fixture the stock and load the tools.
- Cut a first part, measure it against the drawing and adjust offsets until it is right.
- Run the batch, checking dimensions at intervals during production.
Once the program is proven, the machine follows exactly the same path every cycle, so part 1 and part 1,000 come out almost identical.
CNC vs manual turning at a glance
| CNC turning | Manual turning | |
|---|---|---|
| Control | Computer program | Machinist, by hand |
| Part-to-part consistency | High | Depends on the operator |
| Speed on larger batches | Fast | Slower |
| Complex profiles (curves, tapers, many steps) | Handles them well | Difficult and slow |
| Up-front cost per job | Programming and set-up time | Can start straight away |
| Best for | Repeat orders, volume, tight tolerances | One-offs, repairs, simple urgent jobs |
When should you choose CNC turning?
- You need tens to thousands of identical parts.
- The part has several steps, threads, curves or tight tolerances.
- You will reorder the part, because the saved program can be reused immediately.
For a single part or a simple repair, a manual lathe can be cheaper because there is no programming or set-up to pay for.
Our experience
A.T. Industrial Part started in 1995 with conventional lathes. As orders grew, we invested in CNC lathes for speed, capacity and accuracy. Today our shop in Bang Phli, Samut Prakan runs more than 10 CNC lathes. See examples of parts we make.
Need parts turned to your drawing?
A.T. Industrial Part has been turning parts to drawing in Bang Phli, Samut Prakan for 31 years. Send us your drawing for a quote.
Call sales +66 61 419 1518 LINE: atinpart Request a quote