The use of CNC machining equipment has made it easier for machining shops to offer precision services to clients for all different types of materials, including a variety of metals and alloys.
However, just having CNC machining equipment does not guarantee top quality end products. This takes experience and expertise, particularly when it comes to stainless steel machining. As there are different alloys used in various applications requiring the use of stainless steel, knowing how to effectively work with the material reduces turnaround time on the order and also helps to reduce the cost of the project.
Waste Reduction
For most companies, using the same service for stainless steel machining of the prototype as well as moving forward into production is a critical factor. Prototyping can involve significant costs, particularly if the machining service is not experienced in working with stainless steel alloys.
Companies with expertise in working with the standards and specs of different industries avoid the common mistakes made by those services with less experience. Less waste translates to lower cost and increased efficiency for prototyping through to production.
Precision Machining
There is much more to precision stainless steel machining than with many types of metals and alloys. While precision CAD/CAM drawings are used to create the programs to control the equipment, the correct choice of cutting tools and operational speeds is equally important.
Incorrect selection of tools and speed of the equipment, combined with the hard surface of stainless steel, can lead to chattering during the machining process. This results in slight to more significant surface variations, which require additional finishing processes such as deburring or grinding to bring the part back into the required tolerances.
Always check on the past projects completed by the company, particularly when adhering to specific tolerances is a factor in the machining requirement. For specialized applications such as medical devices, aerospace components or in other industries, make sure the machining service has the necessary experience to get the job done.
