CNC turning can achieve tight tolerances and high precision, making it suitable for applications that demand dimensional accuracy and consistency. CNC turning can achieve tolerances ranging from ±0.001 to ±0.005 inches (±0.025 to ±0.127 millimeters) for most metals and plastics. However, tighter tolerances down to ±0.0005 inches (±0.013 millimeters) or even better can be achieved with careful process optimization, precision tooling, and advanced machining techniques.compare to CNC milling?

CNC turning and CNC milling are both subtractive manufacturing processes that use computer numerical control (CNC) machines to shape workpieces into finished parts. The key difference lies in how the cutting tool and workpiece interact: in CNC turning, the workpiece rotates while the cutting tool remains stationary, whereas in CNC milling, the cutting tool rotates while the workpiece remains stationary.

Can CNC turning produce parts with non-cylindrical features?

While CNC turning is commonly associated with cylindrical parts due to its rotational nature, it can also produce parts with non-cylindrical features using advanced machining techniques and tooling configurations. For example, CNC turning machines equipped with live tooling capabilities can perform secondary operations such as drilling, milling, and threading during the turning process, enabling the creation of complex geometries like grooves, slots, and angled surfaces.