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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...

white anodized aluminum
Can Aluminum Actually Be Anodized White?

If you need a white aluminum part, anodizing may seem like an obvious choice. After all,...

What Is Plaster Mold Casting
What Is Plaster Mold Casting? Process, Materials, Advantages & Uses

Plaster mold casting is a metal casting process that uses a gypsum-based mold instead of sand....

Copper vs bronze properties
Is Bronze More Expensive Than Copper? Price & Cost Comparison

Bronze is not always more expensive than copper. Pure copper can cost more than some common...

Delrin vs Nylon applications
Delrin vs Nylon: What’s the Difference and Which Should You Choose?

Delrin and nylon are both strong engineering plastics, but they are better suited to different jobs....

Top 10 strongest metals in the world
Top 10 Strongest Metals in the World

When people ask which metal is the strongest, it’s not always easy to give a single...

Brass melting point and brass alloy temperature
Brass Melting Point: Temperature, Grades & Comparison

Brass typically melts within a range of about 900–940°C (1650–1725°F), but there is no single exact...

PVC vs Acrylic Material Comparison
PVC vs Acrylic: Differences, Properties, and Applications

When it comes to comparing PVC and acrylic, the real differences come down to transparency, chemical...

14 gauge steel thickness measurement showing steel sheet and precision measurement tools
14 Gauge Steel Thickness: Complete Guide

14 gauge steel has a thickness of about 0.0747 inches or 1.897 millimeters.It is widely used...

tungsten metal properties and CNC machining components
Tungsten Metal: Properties, Applications, and CNC Machining Challenges

When engineers require a material that can endure extreme heat, heavy pressures, and tough operating environments,...

1810 304 and 316 stainless steel material comparison
18/10 vs 304 vs 316 Stainless Steel: What Is the Difference?

Stainless steel is a commonly used material in various industries such as CNC machining, medical devices,...

420 vs 316 stainless steel material comparison for CNC machining
420 Stainless Steel vs 316 Stainless Steel: Differences and How to Choose

When choosing stainless steel for CNC machined components, engineers typically evaluate various grades to find the...

Nickel metal samples and CNC machined nickel alloy parts showing magnetic properties
Is Nickel Magnetic? Nickel Magnetism Explained

Nickel is one of the few naturally occurring metals that have magnetic properties.When it is in...

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...

cnc big
CNC Big Machines: The Ultimate Solution for Large-Scale Manufacturing

Explore the ultimate guide to the largest CNC machines. Learn about their key technical specifications, industry...

6 Axis CNC Machines: The Key to Advanced Precision and Efficiency in Manufacturing

Unlock the potential of 6 axis CNC machining. Our complete guide delivers best practices, key specifications,...

mini mill cnc conversion
Mini Mill CNC Conversion: Boosting Efficiency and Precision in Your Projects

Unlock your mini mill’s potential! Our complete guide to mini mill CNC conversion covers best practices,...

gantry machining center
Gantry Machining Centers: The Backbone of Modern Precision Manufacturing

Unlock your CNC’s full potential! Our complete guide covers best practices for CNC Gantry Mills. Find...

6 Axis Milling Machine vs 5 Axis CNC Machining
6 Axis Milling Machine: 5 Axis vs 6 Axis CNC Machining

A 6 axis milling machine adds another degree of controlled movement beyond a typical 5-axis CNC...

atc cnc
Why ATC CNC Machines Are Revolutionizing Precision Manufacturing

Unlock the potential of desktop CNC with tool changers! Our complete guide covers best practices, key...

cnc accessories
CNC Accessories Demystified: How the Right Attachments Can Transform Your Manufacturing Process

Unlock your CNC’s full potential! Our complete guide covers best practices for CNC accessories & tool...

kit cnc
Kit CNC: Affordable Precision for Hobbyists and Makers

Master the world of CNC machining with our complete guide to kit CNC systems. Learn about...

cnc machine kit
Everything You Need to Know About CNC Machine Kits: A Comprehensive Guide

Master the world of CNC machining with our complete guide to CNC machine kits. Learn about...

cnc machine brands
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best CNC Machine Brands for Your Business

Explore the world of CNC machines with our comprehensive guide. This page compares top CNC machine...

manual cnc mill
Taking Control: How to Get the Most Out of Your Manual CNC Mill

Manual mill machines remain essential in manufacturing for their precision and hands-on control. This guide walks...

mini mill
Mini Mills Unleashed: Your Guide to Affordable Precision in Small-Scale Manufacturing

If you’re curious about mini mills, this guide is for you! Learn everything about benchtop milling...

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