<figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote><p></p><p><img src="https://www.headfonia.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/cnc_machining-tips-blog-banner-744x350.jpg" alt="CNC Milling - Headfonia Reviews"></p><cite>Learn all about computer numerical control,or CNC machining,in this installment of our prototype series!</cite></blockquote></figure>



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<h1>CNC machining</h1>



<p> is another popular method for making prototype items,in some ways,the polar opposite of 3D printing. 3D printing is an additive method that involves gradually adding material to create things. CNC machine,on the other hand,is a subtractive process that involves gradually reducing material from a bigger base shape to generate pieces.</p>



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<p>The video below,from Inventables,which sells the X Carve CNC machine to Makers and small businesses,shows a woodworking company named Well Made Design using a CNC machine to make a product. In the video,Well Made Design is producing a one-of-a-kind,custom shelf for a customer,which is similar to prototyping. The CNC machine is used to swiftly and correctly translate a CAD design into a piece of lumber near the beginning of the film.</p>



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<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/GTQnckd55AA
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<h2>Various CNC Machining Techniques</h2>



<p>Although CNC components are more expensive and require more space to run than 3D printing,there are still a variety of services from which CNC parts can be obtained. CNC machining is a term that encompasses three operations that are related but distinct:</p>



<ul><li><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lCNl0CUjTPA9vppJCRPCrxNrZ6b9Ux_0/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CNC milling</a>&nbsp;includes removing material from a larger block using a computer-guided tool in order to make pieces. CNC milling can be used to make prototype pieces with all of the design details accessible from one side. CNC milling,in essence,produces parts from sheets of material.</li><li><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Qh_l3-r7OXJ6JwuLg0XVri4d0NhDzx4E/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CNC turning</a> Removes material from a revolving,cylindrically rod to create pieces. This method can be used to make prototype pieces having circular cross-sections.</li><li><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DejFFiv_pcFhAI8cwoGBmoF8lKZAp0d1/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">5-Axis CNC machining</a>&nbsp;is comparable to CNC milling,but the machine has more degrees of freedom for moving the tool,allowing it to manufacture items with complicated shapesCNC machining has a lot of advantages over 3D printing and the other prototyping technologies covered in this article for generating part prototypes,but it also has certain drawbacks. in a single manufacturing process.</li></ul>



<h2>CNC Machining's Benefits for Prototyping</h2>



<p>CNC machining has a lot of advantages over <a href="https://eduengteam.com/2021/03/best-3d-printers-2.html" data-type="post" data-id="3534">3D printing</a> and the other prototyping technologies covered in this article for generating part prototypes,but it also has certain drawbacks.</p>



<p>Unlike 3D printing,CNC machining generates prototypes made from solid materials,which is one of the main advantages of utilizing technology to make prototypes — especially for parts that will later be created by injection molding. This means that CNC-machined items have mechanical qualities that are quite comparable to injection-molded parts.</p>



<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><figure class="aligncenter"><img src="https://maker.pro/storage/07a93y7/07a93y7RM1Nphc13pJqQB61wyelWqW5dUCcjLMBN.jpeg" alt="CNC_Pros_Cons_SH_MP_image2.jpg"/></figure></div>



<p>Another advantage of CNC machining prototype is that it may work with materials that are either unavailable or too expensive to use with other prototyping methods. Even for common materials like aluminum,CNC machining is substantially less expensive than 3D printing for prototyping.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><img src="https://maker.pro/storage/1dYe1NT/1dYe1NTqkV3Xo9mFE1t6yx7Mv66C0JKdkvFallI0.png" alt="CNC_Pros_Cons_SH_MP_image4.png"/><figcaption>CNC machining is significantly less expensive than 3D printing for some materials,such as aluminum.</figcaption></figure>



<p>Finally,CNC machined prototypes can be finished to a very high standard. CNC machined parts can be left as-machined,bead blasted,anodized,powder-coated,sanded with various grits down to a polished surface,or chrome plated,depending on the material chosen and any post-processing processes utilized.</p>



<p>CNC-machined prototypes can have a high enough surface quality to serve as final prototypes for display in a crowdfunding campaign or in marketing materials,as opposed to 3D printing,which leaves layer lines,or laser cutting,which can leave burnt edges.</p>



<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><figure class="aligncenter"><img src="https://maker.pro/storage/XIMcvoj/XIMcvojJp144i7RjHlofLf14v3m5Q5rl85JnYbvP.png" alt="CNC_Pros_Cons_SH_MP_image1.png"/><figcaption>These are some of the surface treatments offered by 3D Hubs. Bead blasted,anodized,and powder coated as machined</figcaption></figure></div>



<h2>The Disadvantages of CNC Machining Prototypes</h2>



<p>There are,of course,certain drawbacks to using CNC machining to create prototypes.</p>



<p>The most major issue is that CNC machining,as well as CNC machines,are significantly more difficult to access for small product development teams or solo creators than 3D printing. For less than $500,you can have a 3D printer capable of producing high-end prototypes. CNC machines,particularly ones with greater work areas and the ability to work with aluminum,can cost thousands of dollars.</p>



<p>Perhaps even more essential than cost is the fact that CNC machines demand more shop space than 3D printers or laser cutters,which can operate in an office. CNC machines are loud and produce a lot of dust,and they require a lot of knowledge and training to operate successfully and safely.</p>



<p>Perhaps even more essential than cost is the fact that CNC machines demand more shop space than 3D printers or laser cutters,which can operate in an office. CNC machines are loud and produce a lot of dust,and they require a lot of knowledge and training to operate successfully and safely.</p>



<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><figure class="aligncenter"><img src="https://maker.pro/storage/uyFjFuV/uyFjFuVK6vP3LdcTfVdA9zJUBLagaN4Cujuh0J6b.png" alt="CNC_Pros_Cons_SH_MP_image5.png"/><figcaption>Because the end mills are spherical,CNC machining cannot produce completely square internal corners.</figcaption></figure></div>



<p>The maximum cavity depth CNC machines may accomplish is similarly limited when using a mechanical cutting tool. End mills can only cut to a certain depth before the tool's leverage generates excessive deflection and vibrations. As a result,designs with deep,narrow cavities are difficult to produce on a CNC machine.</p>



<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><figure class="aligncenter"><img src="https://maker.pro/storage/VknwyP7/VknwyP7uOgJ853eDkKxxOZJlZ7Fd8KHIAHz230Zq.png" alt="CNC_Pros_Cons_SH_MP_image6.png"/></figure></div>



<p>The last downside,when it comes to design flexibility with CNC-machined prototypes relates to&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ijGoMfIbufy5AWPC3NvgEMXm8vpZ-xhr/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a specific design feature called an undercut</a>. CNC milling machines have access to the stock material from the top only. Therefore,these machines are unable to create (<a href="https://www.3dhubs.com/knowledge-base/how-design-parts-cnc-machining/#undercuts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">with a few specific types of undercuts</a>) design features that are not accessible from the top of the material. Even for 5-axis CNC machines,all the design features in the part need to be accessible directly from the exterior of the part.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><img src="https://maker.pro/storage/fyjrZ5g/fyjrZ5gZw9IRFE70vEdzzmFoX5fTi5anEksHJIo9.png" alt="CNC_Pros_Cons_SH_MP_image3.png"/><figcaption>Only a few particular sorts of undercuts,such as this dovetail,may be manufactured using a CNC machine.</figcaption></figure>



<p>Undercuts are an excellent example of a design feature that can be achieved with 3D printing but not with CNC machining or injection molding.</p>



<h2>Conclusions on Prototype CNC Machining</h2>



<p>CNC machining is frequently utilized to produce high-fidelity,late-stage prototype parts for goods under development. CNC machined prototypes are constructed of solid materials,which are typically the same materials that would be used in mass production processes such as injection molding.</p>



<p>Although CNC parts are less accessible to small studios than 3D printing because the machines involved are more expensive and require more space to operate,there are still a number of services from which CNC parts can be ordered: 3D Hubs,Xometry,Fictiv,and Protolabs are just a few well-known examples.</p>



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Pros and Cons of CNC Machining for Design Prototyping

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Pros and Cons of CNC Machining for Design Prototyping

Pros and Cons of CNC Machining for Design Prototyping

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