CNC Machining
Customized CNC machining for material preparation
In recent years component manufacturing techniques have significantly improved in response to the highly evolving design and performance demands of the aerospace industry. CNC machining, the automated process of removing chips or shavings from raw materials or near-ready cast components, is an essential process for manufacturing high-precision aerospace components.
Casting, using a wide variety of high-performance alloys, is used to produce near net components with a high degree of accuracy and repeatability. CNC machining is then used to machine parts to the required tolerances and to improve surface appearances. Lastly, deburring and painting services take place to complete manufacturing.
Milling, which uses rotary cutters to remove metal and other parts from a workpiece, is an important technique used in CNC precision machining. The number of axes that a milling machine has determines what type of components can be made. In the past, this was done using basic 3-axis machining tools. (In contrast, lathe equipment usually employs static cutting tools against a workpiece that turns). At thyssenkrupp Aerospace we use the very latest digitally controlled 5-axis CNC machining to finish cast components to precise tolerances.
Our CNC machining services and customer benefits
The preparation and pre-machining services we offer to our customers improve their manufacturing efficiency by allowing them to focus on high-value finish machining. Whether milled or ground, machine-ready metal blanks eliminate the need for squaring, while pre-machining can remove up to 90% of the metal, making production more efficient and cost-effective.
For our customers, this means reduced preparation and setup times, which in turn leads to enhanced production processes and lower labor costs. This gives our customers an advantage over their competitors, boosting productivity or valuable throughput on machining centers.
The future of CNC machining
Some believe the rise of additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, will result in the immediate demise of CNC machining. This is a misconception. CNC machining will still be used to finish 3D-printed components, from adding detailed features such as precision holes, or removing the support structures that anchor parts firmly to the build plate. Having both 3D-printing and machining operations in-house has clear advantages over 3D printing alone as it removes the need to outsource 3D-printed parts for finishing.
