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.

MIG vs TIG Welding: Differences, Pros, Cons & When to Use Each

MIG and TIG are two of the most common welding processes used for metal fabrication and...

What Is Tack Welding? Purpose, Process, Types & Applications

Tack welding is a preliminary welding technique used to hold metal parts in the correct position...

10 Types of Plastics Used in the Automotive Industry

Plastics are used throughout modern vehicles because they can reduce weight, resist corrosion, provide electrical insulation,...

Metal Punching vs Stamping: Differences, Applications, and How to Choose

Metal punching and stamping are both common sheet metal processes, but they are not the same....

Types of Machining Processes: 12 Common Operations and How to Choose

Machining is a manufacturing process that removes material from a workpiece to create the required shape,...

Alloy Steel vs Carbon Steel: Differences, Properties & CNC Machining

Alloy steel and carbon steel are both widely used for CNC-machined parts, but they serve different...

Top 10 Plastic Injection Molding Companies in China in 2026

China is home to a large number of plastic injection molding companies, ranging from specialized mold...

Fillet vs Chamfer: Differences, CNC Machining & Design Guide

A fillet creates a rounded transition between two surfaces, while a chamfer removes a sharp corner...

Types of Rivets: 9 Common Rivet Types, Uses, and Selection Guide

Rivets are permanent mechanical fasteners used to join two or more components without threads. They are...

Types of Springs: Uses, Materials, and Selection Guide

Springs are mechanical components used to store energy, resist force, control motion, absorb shock, or return...

GD&T for CNC Machining: How Geometric Tolerances Affect Cost, Setup & Inspection

GD&T, or Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing, defines how much a part’s shape, orientation, location, and rotational...

Die Casting vs Injection Molding: Materials, Cost, Design & Manufacturing Guide

Die casting and injection molding are both high-volume manufacturing processes that inject molten material into a...

Does Stainless Steel Rust? Stainless Steel Corrosion Explained Introduction

yes, stainless steel can rust, but it is much more resistant to corrosion than ordinary steel....

Does Aluminum Rust? Aluminum Corrosion Explained

Aluminum does not rust in the same way as iron or steel.When aluminum comes into contact...

Does Brass Tarnish or Rust? Brass Oxidation Explained

Brass can tarnish over time, but it does not corrode like iron or steel.Since brass is...

CNC Turning Center Specifications: A Complete Guide

The specifications of a CNC turning center determine the types of parts it can machine, as...

How to Polish Stainless Steel Parts: CNC Surface Finishing Guide

Stainless steel is commonly used in various industries such as aerospace, medical, automotive, food processing, and...

What Is Cobalt Metal Used For? Properties, Uses & Applications

Cobalt is a hard, silver-gray transition metal recognized for its strong structural qualities, magnetic characteristics, resistance...

What Are Rare Earth Metals? Properties, Types and Uses

Rare earth metals are a group of metallic elements that are known for having special magnetic,...

What Is Titanium? Properties, Alloys & CNC Machining Guide

Titanium is a light yet strong metal that is highly resistant to corrosion and offers a...

Is Aluminum a Metal? Properties, Types and CNC Machining Applications

Aluminum is indeed a metal.It is a light metal that does not corrode easily and is...

How to Remove Rust from Metal: DIY & Industrial Guide

Rust can be found in many places, such as kitchen knives, gardening tools, car parts, and...

5052 vs 6061 vs 7075 Aluminum: Which Alloy Should You Choose?

When comparing 5052, 6061, and 7075 aluminum, no single material is suitable for all applications. 5052...

How to Polish Aluminum: Step-by-Step Guide to a Mirror Finish

Aluminum can typically be restored to its original luster and given a smooth or even mirror-like...

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? 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: 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: 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: Dimensions, TPI & Tap Drill Sizes

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

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 and What They Are Used For

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

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...

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...

How CNC Machining Software Improves Production Efficiency

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

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...

Can a CNC Machine Engrave Metal?

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

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: Standards and Accuracy

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

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...

What Is a CNC Machine Shop?

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

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...

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? Methods & CNC Applications

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

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? 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? 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? 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: A Beginner’s Guide

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

The Ultimate Guide to CNC Machines for Cutting Wood and Metal

Discover the ultimate CNC machine that cuts wood and metal with our comprehensive guide. Learn key...

CNC Lathe vs CNC Mill: Differences, Applications & How to Choose

The main difference between a CNC lathe and a CNC mill is what rotates during machining....

Affordable Precision: The Complete Guide to CNC Cheap Machines

Discover how to find a quality, cheap CNC milling machine without sacrificing performance. Our complete guide...

Unlock Precision with CNC Small Machines: A Comprehensive Guide

Explore the complete guide to small CNC machines. Learn best practices and solutions, from key features...

Affordable Precision: A Complete Guide to Budget CNC Milling Machines

Discover how to find the perfect affordable CNC milling machine for your workshop with our comprehensive...

Master Precision at Home with a Mini CNC Machine

Explore the complete guide to household mini CNC machines: Learn about key technical specifications, industry applications,...

8 Axis CNC Machines: What Makes Them Different and Why You Need One

Elevate manufacturing excellence with our guide to 8 Axis CNC machines. Explore key features, industry applications...

Maximize Your Production Quality with High Precision CNC Routers

Unlock CNC efficiency with our ATC CNC machine guide. Explore CNC router auto tool changer benefits,...

Everything You Need to Know About Buying a Used Mill

Unlock CNC efficiency with our ATC CNC machine guide. Explore CNC router auto tool changer benefits,...

Maximize Your Mini Mill’s Potential with Digital Readout (DRO) Technology

Unlock CNC efficiency with our ATC CNC machine guide. Explore CNC router auto tool changer benefits,...

CNC Router Auto Tool Changer: Revolutionizing How We Make Parts

Unlock CNC efficiency with our ATC CNC machine guide. Explore CNC router auto tool changer benefits,...

Big Milling Machines: The Backbone of Large-Scale Manufacturing

Explore the ultimate guide to big milling machines. Learn about the key features, industry applications, and...

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