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CNC Machining Blog

The YuanYi blog shares practical knowledge from our day-to-day experience in CNC machining and precision manufacturing. We write to help engineers, designers, and buyers better understand materials, machining methods, tolerances, surface finishes, and part design, making it easier to plan projects and make better manufacturing decisions.

Comparison of aligned and misaligned axes on a precision stepped shaft
Concentricity in GD&T: Meaning, Measurement & Alternatives

Concentricity in GD&T describes how the centers of circular features relate to a common reference axis....

Machine screw size chart showing metric screw sizes, lengths, and different head types
Machine Screw Size Chart: US & Metric Diameters, Thread Sizes and Measurement Guide

Machine screws are threaded fasteners commonly used to assemble metal components, machinery, electronics, and precision equipment....

Metal hardness illustration comparing indentation depth in softer and harder metals
Hardness of Materials: Types, Testing Methods, Charts, and Applications

Material hardness is the ability of a material to resist localized permanent deformation, such as indentation,...

Comparison of internal and external thread milling processes on CNC machined metal components
Thread Milling: Process, Types, Advantages, and Tapping Comparison

Thread milling is a CNC machining process used to produce internal and external threads with a...

Powder coating vs painting comparison on identical CNC machined aluminum housings
Powder Coating vs Painting: Which Is Better for Metal Parts?

Powder coating generally offers better durability, scratch resistance, and cost efficiency for high-volume metal parts. Painting...

Common welding defects including cracks, porosity, undercut, slag inclusion, lack of fusion, and incomplete penetration
12 Common Types of Welding Defects: Causes and Prevention

Welding defects are imperfections that can affect the strength, appearance, dimensional accuracy, or reliability of a...

Young's modulus and stress-strain curve explaining material stiffness
Stiffness of Material: Definition, Young’s Modulus, and Stiffness vs. Strength

Material stiffness describes how strongly a material resists elastic deformation when a force is applied. A...

Metal heat treatment process showing heating soaking and controlled cooling
Heat Treatment of Metals: Processes, Types & CNC Machining Guide

Heat treatment of metals is a controlled process of heating, holding, and cooling metal to change...

Thin gauge vs thick gauge sheet metal thickness comparison
Thin Gauge vs Thick Gauge Sheet Metal: Differences, Costs & How to Choose

Choosing between thin gauge and thick gauge sheet metal affects more than part strength. Thickness also...

Common casting defects including porosity, shrinkage, inclusions, cold shuts, hot tears and flash
Casting Defects: 18 Common Types, Causes and How to Prevent Them

Casting defects are unwanted irregularities that affect the appearance, dimensions, strength, or performance of a cast...

Common types of fasteners including bolts, screws, nuts, washers, studs, rivets, pins and threaded inserts
Types of Fasteners: 12 Common Types and How to Choose Them

Fasteners are mechanical components used to join, secure, locate, or retain two or more parts. Common...

CNC milling operations on a machined aluminum part
12 Types of Milling Operations: Processes, Uses, and How to Choose

Milling operations are different ways a rotating cutting tool removes material to create specific features on...

Common types of non-ferrous metals including aluminum, copper, brass, bronze, titanium, magnesium and nickel alloy
What Are Non-Ferrous Metals? Types, Properties & Applications

Non-ferrous metals are metals and alloys in which iron is not the primary base metal. Common...

Engineering composite materials including carbon fiber, fiberglass, metal matrix and ceramic composites
What Is a Composite Material? Types, Properties, Examples & Uses

A composite material is made by combining two or more different materials to create properties that...

Anodized CNC aluminum parts in black blue and clear finishes
Aluminum Anodizing Guide: Types, Colors, Thickness & CNC Design Tips

Aluminum anodizing is an electrochemical surface treatment that converts the outer surface of aluminum into a...

Cast iron vs steel properties differences and CNC machining
Cast Iron vs Steel: Differences, Properties & CNC Machining Guide

Cast iron and steel are both iron-based materials, but they behave very differently in manufacturing and...

Galvanized steel vs aluminum for CNC machining
Galvanized Steel vs Aluminum: Which Is Better for CNC Machining?

Galvanized steel generally offers higher stiffness, higher absolute strength, and lower raw material cost. Aluminum is...

Types of gears
Types of Gears: Differences, Applications and How to Choose

Gears transfer motion and power between rotating parts, but different gear types behave very differently. Spur...

Acetal vs Delrin
Acetal vs Delrin: Key Differences, Properties and Machining

Acetal and Delrin are closely related, but they are not exactly the same material. Acetal is...

Sheet Metal Gauge Chart
Sheet Metal Gauge Chart: Steel, Stainless, Aluminum & More

Use the sheet metal gauge charts below to convert common gauge numbers into thickness in inches...

What is aluminum's symbol Al
What Is Aluminum’s Symbol? Chemical Symbol Al Explained

The chemical symbol for aluminum is Al, and its atomic number is 13. The symbol uses...

What is the softest metal cesium comparison
What Is the Softest Metal? Properties, Hardness & Comparison

Cesium is generally considered the softest solid metal, with a Mohs hardness of about 0.2. It...

Density of iron
Density of Iron: kg/m³, g/cm³, lb/in³ & Weight Calculation

The density of pure iron is approximately 7.87 g/cm³, equal to 7,870 kg/m³ or about 0.284...

What Are Metalloids
What Are Metalloids? Elements, Properties, and Uses Explained

Metalloids are elements that have properties between metals and nonmetals. They may look metallic, but they...

CNC cutting tools selection guide for precision machined parts
CNC Cutting Tools: Types, Materials, Coatings, and Selection Guide

CNC cutting tools are the tools that physically remove material during milling, turning, drilling, boring, threading,...

What is a bottoming tap
What Is a Bottoming Tap? A Guide to Blind Hole Threading

A bottoming tap is a thread-cutting tool with a very short chamfer, typically about 1–2 threads....

Types of CNC machines
Types of CNC Machines: 9 Common Types and How to Choose

The main types of CNC machines include CNC mills, lathes, Swiss machines, mill-turn centers, gantry machines,...

Counterbore vs countersink
Counterbore vs Countersink: Differences, Uses & How to Choose

A counterbore and a countersink are both recessed hole features used to seat fastener heads, but...

NPT thread size chart with dimensions TPI and tap drill sizes
NPT Thread Size Chart: Dimensions, TPI & Tap Drill Sizes

NPT (National Pipe Taper) is a 60° tapered pipe thread commonly used for fluid, pneumatic, and...

Honing process
Honing Process: How It Works, Types, Tolerances & Applications

Honing is a precision abrasive machining process mainly used to finish internal bores. A honing tool...

6 Essential Wood Lathe Turning Tools
6 Essential Wood Lathe Turning Tools and What They Are Used For

The six essential wood lathe turning tools are a spindle roughing gouge, spindle gouge, bowl gouge,...

38-16 tap drill size guide showing drill bit and threaded hole
3/8-16 Tap Drill Size: Complete CNC Machining Guide

When making a threaded hole, it is important to select the right drill size to ensure...

CNC machining engineering drawing guide
Engineering Drawing Symbols and Abbreviations: Complete Guide for CNC Machining

When you send a CNC machining project to a manufacturer, one of the first things engineers...

CNC machining software workflow showing CAD CAM programming, toolpath simulation, and CNC manufacturing process
How CNC Machining Software Improves Production Efficiency

CNC machining software improves production efficiency by helping engineers create better toolpaths, reduce programming time, prevent...

Examples of CNC machined parts made with a CNC machine including metal brackets, housings, shafts, and industrial components
What Can You Make With a CNC Machine? CNC Products & Applications

A single CNC machine is capable of producing thousands of different items, ranging from simple brackets...

CNC milling machine engraving a precision aluminum part
Can a CNC Machine Engrave Metal?

Yes. CNC machine tools can not only machine metal parts, but also engrave text, numbers, logos,...

CNC machining datum reference showing precision part positioning
What Are Datums in CNC Machining? Definition, Types, and Applications

A datum in CNC machining serves as a theoretical reference point, line, or plane that helps...

CNC machining tolerances inspection using CMM measurement
CNC Machining Tolerances: Standards and Accuracy

Modern CNC machining tolerances are influenced by several factors such as the machine’s performance, the characteristics...

CNC wire EDM machine cutting a metal workpiece in a precision machining workshop
What Is a CNC Wire Cut Machine? Wire EDM Process Explained

Wire EDM is like slowly cutting through a metal material with a “live wire.” Its cutting...

CNC milling center
What Is a CNC Machine Shop?

A CNC machine shop is a manufacturing facility that uses CNC machine tools to produce custom...

Engineer reviewing a CAD model for 5-axis CNC machining design and DFM analysis
How to Design Parts for 5 Axis CNC Machining: Practical DFM Tips

Five-Axis Machining does indeed allow access to parts from multiple angles and reduces the number of...

5-axis CNC programming with CAM toolpaths for complex aluminum part
What Is 5-Axis CNC Programming? Toolpaths, CAM & Simulation

5-axis CNC programming is the process of creating toolpaths for a 5-axis CNC machine. The programmer...

What is Rapid Prototyping
What Is Rapid Prototyping? Methods & CNC Applications

Rapid prototyping plays an important role in the development of products.It allows for the fast production...

What is broaching machining
What Is Broaching Machining? How It Works, Types & Common Applications

In modern mechanical manufacturing, CNC milling and CNC turning are widely known, while broaching machining is...

What Is a CNC Router Machine
What Is a CNC Router Machine? Everything You Need to Know

A CNC router is a machining device that uses computer programs to automatically control the movement...

What Is Electron Beam Machining
What Is Electron Beam Machining? Process, Advantages & Applications

Electron Beam Machining is a high-precision, non-traditional machining process that utilizes the high energy generated by...

What Is Runout in Machining
What Is Runout in Machining? Causes, Effects & How to Reduce It

In CNC machining, even if the machine tool has very high precision, runout in the cutting...

How to Program a CNC Machine
How to Program a CNC Machine: A Beginner’s Guide

CNC programming typically involves creating a CAD model, generating toolpaths in CAM software, outputting G-code, and...

wood design cutting machine
Choosing the Best Wood Design Cutting Machine for Your Workshop

Discover everything you need to know about wood design cutting machine prices, from choosing the right...

precision milling
Precision Milling for Metal: Best Practices for Top-Quality Results

Find out how precision milling machines help create high-quality parts. This guide explores the best practices,...

best desktop cnc router
Mastering Precision with Desktop CNC Milling Machines: A Complete Guide

Find the perfect best desktop CNC router for your workshop. Our guide compares top models, key...

desktop cnc
Mastering Desktop CNC: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners

Unlock the full potential of your workshop with our complete guide to desktop CNC. Discover best...

cnc router steel
Mastering CNC Router Steel: A Complete Guide to Precision Metal Cutting

Discover how the best small CNC machine for metal transforms steel fabrication. Our guide covers key...

cnc metal
Mastering CNC Metal Machining: A Complete Guide

Master CNC metal machining with our complete guide to steel CNC machines. Explore best practices, key...

micromill milling machine
Micromill Milling Machines: The Future of Small-Scale Precision Manufacturing

Explore the best practices for using micro milling machines! This guide covers key features, applications, and...

luxury precision milling machines
Luxury Precision Milling Machines: The Key to Unmatched Accuracy and Detail

In this guide, we explore the best practices for using PM milling machines, focusing on precision,...

cnc machine aluminum cutting
The Essential Guide to CNC Machine Aluminum Cutting

Learn the best practices for small aluminum CNC machining in this comprehensive guide! Explore key features,...

alu cnc
Mastering Aluminum Machining: A Complete Guide to Alu CNC

Learn everything you need to know about small CNC machines for aluminum in this comprehensive guide....

premier cnc machines
Mastering Premier CNC Machines: A Guide to Precision and Efficiency

Unlock manufacturing excellence with our guide to premier CNC machines. Explore key features, industry applications &...

portable cnc mill
Portable CNC Mills: Compact Machines with Big Capabilities

Discover the ultimate guide to portable CNC mill machines. Explore key features, industry applications & best...

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