The five outstanding advantages of combined turning and milling machining are reshaping the modern manufacturing landscape.
The five outstanding advantages of combined turning and milling machining are reshaping the modern manufacturing landscape.
As the manufacturing industry moves toward high-end and intelligent production, traditional single-process machining methods are no longer sufficient to meet the demands for high-precision, high-efficiency production of complex parts. Turning and milling composite machining technology, with its unique process integration characteristics, has become a core driving force in the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry.
1.High-Precision Machining, breaking through dimensional and surface limits
The most significant advantage of turning and milling composite machining lies in its exceptional precision control capabilities. By completing multiple processes such as turning, milling, and drilling in a single setup, it significantly reduces positioning errors caused by multiple setups.
The machine tool is equipped with a high-precision multi-axis interpolation system and advanced CNC technology, enabling micron-level or even sub-micron-level Machining Precision, and easily handling the machining of complex curved surfaces, thin-walled structures, and other high-precision parts. In the aerospace industry, the machining of engine turbine blades must meet stringent requirements for surface profile accuracy and surface roughness. Through five-axis linkage technology, turning and milling composite machine tools can control blade machining errors within ±0.005mm, ensuring the high-performance operation of aircraft engines.
2. High-efficiency production, significantly shortening the manufacturing cycle
Traditional processing requires moving between multiple machines to complete different processes, with auxiliary time such as machine setup and workpiece transfer accounting for up to 40% of the total time. Turning and milling composite processing integrates multiple processing functions into a single machine tool, achieving “one setup, complete processing.” Take the machining of automotive transmission gear shafts as an example: traditional processes require 3–4 machines and take 8–10 hours, while turning and milling composite machining requires only 1 machine and 4–5 hours to complete, resulting in over a 50% increase in production efficiency. This high-efficiency machining model is particularly suitable for small-batch, multi-variety production, helping enterprises quickly respond to market demands and gain a competitive edge.
3.Reducing overall costs and improving corporate profitability
Although the initial investment in turning and milling composite machine tools is high, their long-term economic benefits are significant. On the one hand, they reduce the number of equipment purchases and floor space, lowering fixed asset investment. On the other hand, they shorten production cycles, reduce labor costs, and lower scrap rates. According to industry statistics, after adopting turning and milling composite processing, the processing cost per unit of product can be reduced by 20% to 30%. In the mold manufacturing industry, the processing of complex injection molds using turning-milling composite technology can reduce the number of processing steps by 30%, lower equipment energy consumption and labor costs, and significantly enhance corporate profit margins.
4.Highly flexible production to meet diverse customization needs
Relying on advanced CNC programming systems, turning and milling composite machining can quickly switch between machining processes to flexibly adapt to the production needs of different parts. Whether it is regular shaft-type parts or complex irregular structural parts, efficient machining can be achieved simply by modifying the machining program. In the medical device field, for personalized custom artificial joints, turning and milling composite machining can quickly generate machining codes based on patients' CT data, achieving high-precision machining of complex curved surfaces, and meeting the timeliness and accuracy requirements of customized production.
5.Complex Structure Machining, Achieving Breakthroughs in Process Innovation
Combining the advantages of turning and milling, composite turning and milling machining can achieve complex structure machining that is difficult to achieve with traditional machining.
The milling function can be used to machine flat surfaces, grooves, gear teeth, and other structures on rotary parts, while the turning function is used to machine outer circles, inner holes, and other rotary surfaces. The combination of the two functions enables the integrated manufacturing of composite structure parts. In the defense industry, complex gun barrel rifling and precision fuse components can be processed with high precision in a single operation using turning and milling composite machining technology, thereby avoiding the accumulation of errors from multiple processing steps and ensuring the reliability and safety of defense products.
With the continuous development of intelligent manufacturing technology, turning and milling composite processing technology is evolving toward higher precision, higher efficiency, and greater intelligence. Its five prominent advantages not only solve the pain points of traditional processing, but also provide innovative solutions for high-end manufacturing fields such as aerospace, automobile manufacturing, and medical equipment. For manufacturing enterprises seeking technological upgrades, introducing turning and milling composite processing technology is undoubtedly a key path to enhancing core competitiveness and achieving high-quality development.