Stainless steel CNC machining means producing stainless steel parts using computer numerical control. The best way to cut stainless steel – including sheet – is with CNC cutting equipment that can be programmed for each job.
Precision machining of stainless steel is used by many companies and is largely focused on producing stainless steel parts to tight tolerances.
There are a few things to consider before machining stainless steel on a CNC machine:
- Keep cutting conditions appropriate and consistent. CNC equipment needs the right speeds and feeds to maintain the precise finishes that stainless steel requires;
- Expect a lot of heat to be generated, and remember that larger tools generate even more;
- Use lubricants and coolants to counter the heat produced at the surface of the material;
- Use sharp tools and keep an eye on wear. Replace worn tools, because they make machining much harder.
Applications of stainless steel CNC machining include milling, countersinking, turning, drilling, boring, threading, fine finishing, 3- and 4-axis milling and turning, reaming and tapping.
These processes are used to make rivets, medical devices, spacers, shafts, gears, marine parts, pins, rods, bolts, engine parts, studs, nuts, handles, hospital and laboratory instruments, vehicle parts, pressure vessel components, electronic parts and fittings.