| CNC Milling (or Computer Numerical Control Milling to | | | | than Vertical, due to the fact that there's a rotary table |
| give it it's full title) Centres are a vital piece of | | | | on the gears, allowing for 15 degree deviation for |
| machining equipment used for the production of | | | | shallow angles. |
| widgets and other tools. Milling or Turning as it's also | | | | The main benefit of CNC Milling is that the cutting |
| known is used to shape pieces of metal or other raw | | | | process is controlled by a central computer. This |
| materials for use in widget components. As most | | | | eliminates a lot of the human error which can exist |
| widgets are new designs, and as such most Milling | | | | with standard milling. Furthermore, whilst many |
| centres are capable at doing a large range of tasks | | | | machines are the less versitile vertical milling, the |
| and activities, some of which are very complex | | | | precise nature of computer control means that a lot of |
| including slot cutting, drilling, rebating, plaining and | | | | the tasks impossible with human controlled Vertical |
| keyway cutting. | | | | Milling are possible with CNC Vertical Milling. The |
| There are two main types of milling machines, a | | | | vertical cutting also can move along a Z-Axis, allowing |
| vertical milling machine and a horizontal milling machine. | | | | precise methods of cutting (such as engraving), not |
| The difference between the two is that the cutting tool | | | | possible with manual machines. Although originally |
| used to cut the metal is either mounted horizontally or | | | | expensive, CNC Milling has dropped in price thanks to |
| vertically. There is very little difference between the | | | | the low price of computers and open source |
| two, but occasionally pieces may need to be | | | | software. Most companies that offer machining offer |
| manufactured that do not fit within one of the milling | | | | CNC Milling, meaning that if you approach a company |
| machines. These are few and far between though, | | | | for Milling, they may be able to manufacture the whole |
| and generally speaking Horizontal Milling is more useful | | | | widget for you. |