When product designers need to manufacture a metal part, they’ll find they have a wide variety of fabrication methods to choose from. Among these, two of the most popular options are casting and machining. But how do they compare? This article provides an overview of these two invaluable m

The metal machining and casting processes are often portrayed as a “pick one or the other” comparison for fabricators. But as we hinted in our recent article about casting vs. machining, there are many cases where the most efficient means of production will leverage both casting and machin

The evolution of CNC machining has been marked by significant technological advancements. From the early days of punch tape and rudimentary programming, CNC machining has evolved to incorporate sophisticated software and high-speed, multi-axis machines. In recent years, a new technological

Companies around the world use CNC machining to craft high-quality components from diverse materials like ceramics, wood, and composites. Metal and plastic take the forefront in mass production, with metals enjoying wider machinability. Machinists can adeptly tackle issues in metals by adj

Ra – Rz – N Surface Roughness Converter Do you have Ra, Rz or N roughness value and need to get its equivalent in other units? Use our free tool for that. Select from the common values to convert: Please Note: A precise conversion between Ra and Rz values is impossible si

Easily design custom fixtures with a free, intuitive tool. Export 3D files optimised for 3D printing in just 20 minutes to your Xometry account. Launch fixturemate Now Don’t have an account at Xometry? Create one here How It Works Upload Your Part CAD File U

Fanuc G87 Side Drilling Canned CycleG87 Side drilling cycle is used to drill on the component diameter/side using driven tools.Read complete tutorial G87 Side drilling cycleFanuc G87 Side Drilling Example3 HOLES SPACED 120ºO0021G21;G10 P0 X0 Z-100;N8 G28 U0.T808(RADIAL 4MM DIA DRILL)M5M45G28 H0G97 S

Sinumerik HOLES2 Hole CircleWith Sinumerik HOLES2 cycle, a hole circle can be machined (BHC).ProgrammingHOLES2 (CPA, CPO, RAD, STA1, INDA, NUM)ParametersParameterDescriptionCPACenter point circle/pocket, abscissa (absolute)CPOCenter point circle/pocket, ordinate (absolute)RADRadius of circle (enter

Sinumerik LONGHOLE Elongated holes on a circleWith Sinumerik LONGHOLE cycle, elongated holes can be produced arranged on a circle.The width of the elongated hole is determined by the tool diameter.ProgrammingLONGHOLE (RTP, RFP, SDIS, DP, DPR, NUM, LENG, CPA, CPO, RAD, STA1, INDA, FFD, FFP1,

Sinumerik SLOT1 Slots on a circleWith Sinumerik SLOT1 cycle, slots can be produced arranged on a circle. The longitudinal axis of the slots has a radial orientation In contrast to the elongated hole, a value is specified for the slot width.Sinumerik SLOT1 cycle is a combined roughing/finishing cycle

Sinumerik SLOT2 Circumferential slotWith Sinumerik SLOT2 cycle, circular slots can be produced arranged on a circle.Sinumerik SLOT2 cycle is a combined roughing/finishing cycle.ProgrammingSLOT2 (RTP, RFP, SDIS, DP, DPR, NUM, AFSL, WID, CPA, CPO, RAD, STA1, INDA, FFD, FFP1, MID, CDIR, FAL,

Sinumerik POCKET1 Rectangular pocket millingWith Sinumerik POCKET1 cycle, rectangular pockets can be produced in any location in the machining plane.Sinumerik POCKET1 cycle is a combined roughing/finishing cycle.ProgrammingPOCKET1 (RTP, RFP, SDIS, DP, DPR, LENG, WID, CRAD, CPA, CPO, STA1, FFD

Sinumerik POCKET2 Circular pocket millingWith Sinumerik POCKET2 cycle, circular pockets can be produced.Sinumerik POCKET2 cycle is a combined roughing/finishing cycle.ProgrammingPOCKET2 (RTP, RFP, SDIS, DP, DPR, PRAD, CPA, CPO, FFD, FFP1, MID, CDIR, FAL, VARI, MIDF, FFP2, SSF)ParametersParam

 GTCNC-150iM-II G Codes M CodesGREAT-150iM-II or GTCNC-150iM-II G Codes M Codes for Milling Machine & Machining CentersG CodesG CodeDescriptionG00Rapid positioningG01Linear interpolationG02Circular/helical interpolation CWG03Circular/helical interpolation CCWG33ThreadingG04DwellG15Cancel polar c

GTCNC-60TT G Codes M CodesGREAT-60TT or GTCNC-60TT G Codes M Codes for CNC Lathe.G CodesG CodeDescriptionG00Rapid motionG01Linear interpolationG02Circular interpolation CWG03Circular interpolation CCWG33Thread cuttingG04DwellG20Inch format inputG21Metric format inputG28X, Z axis return to the first

GTCNC-150iT-II G Codes M CodesGREAT-150iT-II or GTCNC-150iT-II G Codes M Codes for CNC Lathe.G CodesG CodeDescriptionG00Rapid positioningG01Linear interpolationG02Helical interpolation CWG03Helical interpolation CCWG33TreadingG04DwellG17X-Y planeG18Z-X planeG19Y-Z planeG20Inch format inputG21Metric

CNC Machine LockCNC machine lock is very handy function for testing a cnc program before actually making a part.In machine lock axis stay stationary on their positions, but the their positions change with program on the display, this way cnc machinists can figure out any problems before making the p

G87 Radial Drilling CycleFanuc G87 Radial Drilling Cycle activates the side radial drilling cycle with driven tools.Fanuc G87 Radial Drilling Cycle works on FANUC SERIES 21i/18i/16i– TA and compatible cnc controls.Example Fanuc G87 Radial Drilling Cycle Programming ExampleProgrammingG87 X F Q P RPar

Fanuc G87 Radial Drilling CycleFanuc G87 Radial Drilling Cycle activates the side radial drilling cycle with driven tools.G87 Radial Drilling Cycle Example4 radial holes at 20 mm from the workpiece zeroN34 …(turning of component)N35 M37N36 G28 C0N37 T101 (RADIAL BIT)N38 G54N39 M303 S2000N40 G94N41 G

Fanuc G87 Side Drilling Canned CycleG87 Side drilling cycle is used to drill on the component diameter/side using driven tools.Fanuc G87 Side Drilling Canned Cycle works on FANUC Oi and compatible cnc controls.ProgrammingG87 X F Q P RParametersParameterDescriptionXFinal drilling depth (absolute dime