Milling is one of the most common methods in CNC machining. This is partially the case because this CNC service is extremely versatile. CNC milling uses one single tool to create essentially limitless shapes on the surface of a filament. Milling makes it possible to fully transform a type of metal into a finished piece of nearly any complexity. This is done by removing material with a cutting tool that is able to rotate. However, the piece that is being worked on does not need to be rotated. Instead it will move linearly if a 3D print service uses one of these five types of CNC milling.
Profile milling
Profile milling is when a spinning cutting tool cuts a path along a slanted or vertical surface. This technology can be executed in a lot of ways. Using a cutting tool that will spin around an axis can either be done parallel or perpendicular to the surface of the workpiece. Profile milling also often uses movement around non-planar, adjacent surfaces.
Face milling
One of the most common milling purposes is face milling. This uses a cutting tool with a rotational axis, which is placed perpendicular to the surface of the material. Besides that, face milling is usually performed to produce an insanely precisely flat surface. This type of milling can also be used to create precisely shallow and shaped grooves.
Thread milling
If you want to machine threads into a hole or onto the outside of a surface then you could potentially use thread milling. This is an alternative to tapping and also makes use of a cutting tool. This part can move and spin along the surface that is being threaded. Thread milling can also create threads on surfaces with a difference in diameter.
Shoulder milling
Shoulder milling uses a spinning cutting tool that will travel along the edge of a material. This will leave an L-shaped “shoulder” of a certain width in the workpiece. Shoulder milling is usually performed to achieve a 90-degree angle between two outward-facing surfaces.
Slot milling
Another type of milling is slot milling. This forms a channel in the material, which is usually done with the help of a disc-shaped cutting tool. Slot milling can be executed with a rotating cutting tool along an axis perpendicular to the filament as well though. Both options are thus possible with slot milling.
