CNC Machining

What is CNC machining? What are its fields of applications? What range of dimensional tolerances can TH Industries perform?

CNC (Computer Numerical Control) process is a type of subtractive manufacturing, including drilling, milling, lathing, skiving, and broaching…etc. In contrast to manual machining process, CNC machining can be faster and more accurate with higher consistency due to its nature of programmed parameters. It is often used for metal machining and dimensional fine-tuning, but it can also be utilized for plastic, wood, and carbon fiber products.
CNC Machining 1
CNC Machining 2

Fields of applications of CNC machining

Besides products, fixtures and gauges are often produced by CNC machining processes for prompt QC procedures.

What range of dimensional tolerances can TH Industries perform?

TH Industries can produce products, through CNC machining, within the tolerances, commonly ranging from 0.10mm to 7um (0.007mm). Despite the said range, tolerances are highly dependent on the product size, fitment functions, product life expectancy, and unit price budget.

An outstanding example would be a mountain bike crank with hollow geometry. Such design requires bonding interfaces to be machined with a tolerance less than 7um (0.007mm) for maximum fatigue resistance, mechanical stiffness, and strength. Such product requires slower feed rate at high rotating speed of the customized CNC cutter. These factors, combined, will result in high costs.

What is power skiving? How does it differ from traditional gear hobbing?

Gear hobbing is the most common method of gear manufacturing, but limited to external gear solutions only. The work piece and tool axes are minimally angled relative to each other.

By contrast, power skiving allows distinct angles difference between the work piece axis and the tool axis. Such trait allows faster machining rate. In addition, power skiving process is also capable of manufacturing internal and helical gears.