BenjaminThere isn’t a set of accepted standards in the field of CNC machining. The main reason for this is that the sector and the equipment it uses are constantly changing. Nonetheless, a few best practices and suggestions would guarantee that the caliber of your design never dips.
Design for manufacturing (DFM) principles should always be applied; components should be designed with the intended manufacturing process in mind.
Parts intended for 3D printing, for instance, require a different design than parts intended for machining. 3ERP machining is indeed flexible, but not every design can be realized. Stated differently, it is imperative to be cognizant of the constraints and limitations to guarantee seamless machining. What are machined parts? A part that has undergone machining, in which extra material is removed with the use of specialized tools, is referred to as a machined part.
Rules To Design Machined Parts
There isn’t a set of accepted standards in the field of CNC machining. The main reason for this is that the sector and the equipment it uses are constantly changing. Nonetheless, a few best practices and rules would guarantee that the caliber of your design never dips. Among these rules are here.
Undercuts
Because a portion of the workpiece is blocking the normal cutting tools, undercuts are incisions in the workpiece that cannot be made. They call for specific machining design considerations as well as unique cutting tools, such as T-shaped ones. The undercut dimensions should be in whole millimeters to match the cutting tool because cutting tools are made in standard sizes.
Wall Slack
Machined parts cannot withstand particularly thin walls, in contrast to molded parts, which distort if walls are too thick. If thin walls are essential to the design, designers should steer clear of them or employ an injection molding technique. Wall thicknesses should be at least 0.8 mm when machining.
Scale
Because CNC machined parts are fabricated inside the machine’s build envelope, their size is constrained. The maximum dimensions for milled components are 400 x 250 x 150 mm, while the maximum size for turned components is Ø 500 mm x 1000 mm. With larger machines, larger dimensions are achievable; however, before fabrication, this should be discussed with the machinist.
Minimal or Elevated Text
Part numbers or company names might need to be marked on components. Although it takes a while to process, adding text to a custom CNC design looks great. Generally, laser marking or electrochemical etching works better. A feature that protrudes should not be taller than four times as wide as it is.
Pockets and Cavities
The industry standard cavity depth on any design is four times the width because end mill tools are limited in their cutting length. Greater chip evacuation, tool deflection, and vibration would be the outcome of a lower depth-to-width ratio. Using a specialized tool and a variable cavity depth is one way to overcome this obstacle.
Strands
When creating CNC-machined items, M2 is the smallest thread size that can be used, but M6 or larger is typically preferred. By utilizing CNC threading machines to create threads as small as M6, machinists can reduce the risk of tap breakage. Three times the normal thread length is the recommended length, and the minimum thread length should be 1.5 times the nominal diameter.
Holes
Machine operators can use end mills or drill bits to make holes. When calculating the diameter of the holes in your design, it is best to use standard drill bit sizes, measured in either metric or imperial units, as a guide. Reamers and other boring tools are used by machine operators to finish holes that must adhere to strict tolerances.
Conclusion
Fortunately, as long as certain guidelines are followed, designing machined parts is not particularly difficult. The machined parts can be produced much more quickly and with less effort, if undercuts can be completely avoided.3ERP is a low-volume production and prototyping company that specializes in bespoke CNC machining services and parts. Purchase your machined parts from us right now.