The Difference Between CNC Milling and Turning

Put simply, the difference between CNC turning and milling is which part actually moves – the machine itself or the raw material. CNC milling processes involve the material being held in place while the cutting tools rotate around it. CNC turning, on the other hand, requires the tools to maintain in the same place while the material is rotated at speed to create the exact shape. 

Although this is quite simplistic, there is much more to the processes than meets the eye. Here are a few more ways in which there is a difference between CNC turning and milling:

Tool Features: The cutting tool is single point for CNC turning and multi-point in milling
Uses: CNC milling is better suited for machining flat and irregular surfaces, while CNC turning is mainly used for working on cylindrical or conical surfaces
Cutting: CNC turning involves continuous cutting, with the tool maintaining constant contact with the workpiece. CNC milling uses intermittent cutting, where the cutting teeth continuously engage and disengage from the raw material
Chips:  CNC milling always produces discontinuous chips, while CNC turning can produce discontinuous, continuous and fragmented chips

If you're not sure if your part should be best produced by Turning or Milling, contact our experts, we’ll go over the project and recommend the best process for your project.