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Metal Turning Services: CNC Turning and What the Price Depends On
Turning is the making of parts with a body of revolution: a shaft, a bushing, a flange, a pulley, a ring. We carry out turning on CNC machines to the customer’s drawing. Below we explain what turning includes, what the price depends on and what to send to get a quote.
Contents
What metal turning is
In turning the workpiece rotates while a cutting tool moves slowly along it or across it and removes a layer of metal. This is how a bar or a forging becomes a part of the required diameter, length and profile. Turning mainly produces parts with a body of revolution.
CNC turning is done by the machine to a program: the operator does not guide the tool by hand, so identical parts in a batch come out identical. The program is prepared from the drawing in a CAM system and checked on a trial blank before the run.
What operations turning includes
Turning is not a single operation. Depending on the drawing, a part goes through several:
- external turning: cylindrical, conical and shaped surfaces, shoulders;
- facing: a flat end square to the axis of the part;
- boring and drilling: a hole of the required diameter along the axis;
- thread cutting: external and internal;
- grooving and parting off from the blank.
Several operations on one part are called passes. Their number affects the machining time and therefore the cost.
What parts are turned
Turning of metal is used when the part is round in section or has round features: shafts and axles, bushings, flanges, pulleys, rings, fittings, threaded parts, adapters. In tool making, blanks for punches, rolls and matrices are turned before further machining: machining and tooling.
Parts of complex shape, with slots or flat faces, usually also need milling. The difference between the two is explained in the article turning or milling.
What the price of turning depends on
We price turning from the drawing. A short list of what determines it is in the table.
| Factor | How it affects the cost |
|---|---|
| Size and mass of the blank | A larger blank takes longer to machine and needs a larger machine |
| Material and grade | Harder and tougher materials machine more slowly and wear the cutting tool faster |
| Number of operations and passes | Each pass adds time: the more complex the profile, the higher the cost |
| Accuracy and roughness | Tighter requirements mean finish machining and extra inspection |
| Number of parts | On a batch the machine setup is spread across more parts |
| Heat treatment and coating | Hardening, nitriding, galvanising or painting are priced separately |
The site gives no indicative amounts per part or per hour: the cost depends on the drawing.
What to send for a quote
A drawing or a sketch with dimensions is enough. State the material and grade, the number of parts, the accuracy and roughness requirements, whether heat treatment or a coating is needed and the date you want. If you have no drawing, send a sample or a photo with dimensions and we will advise how to prepare one.
The lead time depends on how complex the parts are and how busy the workshop is; we state it after reviewing the drawings. After machining you can order heat treatment for critical parts and hot-dip galvanising or powder coating for structures.
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Frequently asked questions about turning
What is metal turning?
It is the machining of metal blanks on a lathe: the blank rotates and the cutting tool removes metal, giving the part its shape. Shafts, bushings, flanges and other parts with a body of revolution are made this way.
Do you do CNC turning?
Yes, we carry out turning on CNC machines to the customer’s drawing, and we prepare the programs in CAM systems.
What does the price of turning depend on?
On the size of the blank, the material, the number of operations, the accuracy and roughness requirements, the number of parts and any additional operations. We price from the drawing.
What should I send to get a quote for turning?
A drawing or sketch, the material, the number of parts, the accuracy, heat treatment and coating requirements and the date you need. Leave blank what you do not know: we will clarify it.
Can I order turning of a single part?
Yes, we also work on individual stages of production. We agree terms for a one-off part and for a batch after reviewing the drawing.
Related products: Machining and tooling · Plasma and laser cutting of sheet metal · Custom steel fabrication
More on this topic: Metal Milling Services: CNC Milling and What the Price Depends On · Turning or Milling Metal: What the Difference Is and How to Choose
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