CNC - MILL - LATHE

There differences between CNC milling vs lathe functionality is very distinct. It all depends on the needed results and the workpiece, but the difference between the two machines is definitely evident.

For clarification, a CNC Mill uses a table that grips the workpiece while moving it around a stationary tool cutting head. A CNC Lathe spins the workpiece as it removes material.

Lathes and Mills can be both horizontal and vertical, but it all depends on the cutting surface orientation. However, the differences can go into further extent and become more meticulous when technology is applied to each type of CNC machine.

Evolution of CNC Mill 101

Computer Numeric Control (CNC) has been applied to many machines in shops all across the globe, but none have greater results than a Milling machine. Decades ago, operating a Milling machine was as straightforward as it gets. Mills could remove material in three different directions using an array of cutting tools. There was one problem though; it took time to change tools and maintain the machine while it was in use. This slowed production during a time when speed was a crucial concern.

As production floors had more and more orders to fill, milling machines became extremely overworked. After adding the application of CNC technology to the humble Mill, you’ve got a system of technology and science. Not only can a Milling machine function more precisely and rapidly than ever before, it can also produce more finished workpieces in a flawless effort. It all started with the 3-axis CNC machines in the 1970s, and since then, we’ve witnessed the technology grow to CNC Mills that can operate on a 5 and 6-axis.            

Evolution of CNC Lathe

Just like its cousin, the Milling machine, the popular Lathe also had juvenile beginnings. Lathes have been a tool used by humans since before the great Egyptian Pyramids. Turning a workpiece and shaping it with a sharp tool was never really rocket science, but automating that tool to turn the workpiece at accurate speeds while simultaneously removing material to within nanometers was like magic when it was first introduced to the industry.

With the add-on of the electric motor, the standard shop lathe stood the test of time and evolved very timidly. When Computer Numeric Control got to the party, that’s when the whole scene changed 180 degrees. Horizontal and vertical lathes saw huge improvements in productivity, accuracy, and quality of output.

CNC milling vs lathes: Advancing faster than ever.

The differences and similarities between CNC Mills and Lathes can become confusing. Each machine’s capabilities have expanded so far that the overlap in protocols is drastic. Regardless if it’s the modern shop or production floor, a CNC Mill and a CNC Lathe are practically interchangeable due to advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), computer applications, tool technology, and machine functionality.

Today’s CNC Mill and CNC Lathe operate so efficiently it’s almost impossible to observe each individual in action – a huge leap from the days of one-man-one-machine. Most shop floors operating CNC equipment have one operator responsible for overseeing several machines. As technology continues to evolve, so do the improvements in the capabilities of both types of CNC machines, making CNC machine operators and machinists more valuable than ever.

Differences Between a CNC Lathe and CNC Mill

What is CNC Machining?

First, what is CNC machining? CNC machining is a subtractive process, which means that the machine starts with a solid piece of metal (or sometimes plastic or other materials) and cuts away pieces to create a shape. Both CNC mills and CNC lathes are subtractive CNC machines. This differs from additive manufacturing, which adds material to create a shape. 3D printing is one type of additive manufacturing.

CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control, this means that the lathe and mill both use a computer control system to make precise cuts and create exact shapes. A CNC machine uses a digital plan to tell the machine what cuts to make, where to make them, and how to do it. This requires an operator’s help, but once the machine is set up, it can usually work independently. Though lathes and mills have been used for hundreds of years to create essential items, CNC machining makes this process much faster, safer, and more efficient than the traditional lathes and mills used many years ago.

What is the Difference Between a CNC Lathe and CNC Mill?

Both a CNC lathe and a CNC mill use a digital, pre-programmed plan to create an object from a piece of metal, plastic, or other materials. CNC milling and CNC turning, which is done on a CNC lathe, are similar processes, but they have some differences, and each machine is ideal for particular parts.

The main difference between a CNC lathe and a CNC mill is the way the machine and the part rotate. A CNC lathe rotates the workpiece or bar stock against the cutting tools to make a shape. By contrast, in a CNC mill, the cutting tools rotate around the bar stock. This difference is subtle, yet they allow each machine to create particular objects or make particular cuts with speed and efficiency.

What Do CNC Lathes and CNC Mills Make?

The subtle differences in functionality between a CNC lathe and a CNC mill make each machine ideal for different parts. A CNC lathe is ideal for conical or cylindrical pieces, while a CNC mill can work with more complex shapes. A CNC mill can create flat surfaces as needed, make deeper holes, and make pockets, planes, grooves, or edges. A CNC lathe usually creates shapes, parts or objects that are mostly uniform across the conical or cylindrical surface, such as screws, shafts, knobs, disc cams, or crankshafts.

Types of CNC Lathes and CNC Mills

There are many different types of CNC lathes and CNC mills. The speed of the lathe or mill, the metals or plastics that it can work with, the size of the object it can produce, how accurate or precise it is, and the type of cuts that it can make all differ by machine. The type of part or item you are working with may work better on some CNC machines than others.

For simple components or products, a machine with a high level of precision or complexity might simply add unnecessary costs. However, if your parts or components have very tight tolerances, they’re made from very tough metals, or they are very complex, a more advanced CNC machine will probably do the job best.

What Materials do CNC Lathes and CNC Mills Work With?

CNC lathes and mills usually use metal bar stock to shape a part or item. Most commonly, this is some type of aluminum or steel, though it can also include many other metals, such as brass, copper alloys, or alloys containing high nickel, titanium, or carbon. Other CNC lathes and mills may also work with different types of plastic or wood as well.

How easily a CNC machine can work with a metal or another material depends on several factors. The material’s hardness, flexibility, melting point, conductivity, and other properties may play a role in the machining process. Some CNC lathes or mills are not designed to work with very tough metals. Some metals will crack or bend more easily, and machines designed for very tough metals might not be effective. It’s also important to consider the cost of the metals, and what you need the part or item to accomplish. Aluminum, for example, is easy to machine and highly affordable, but it might not work well for parts that will be subjected to intense stress, corrosion, or temperature extremes.

How Can You Choose the Right CNC Machine?

Your machine shop or fabrication facility can tell you more about the metals that they work with, machine tolerances, and the level of complexity their machines are capable of. It’s also helpful to ask about design files and how to simplify a design to reduce costs.