Understanding Low Volume CNC Machining: Benefits and Design Tips
Low volume or small-batch CNC machining involves producing products or parts in small batches, usually between 10-1000 pieces. It is a mechanism that helps manufacturers reduce production costs. In addition to reducing costs, small-scale production also makes it easy to change designs without loss.
In this article, we will explore in detail low volume CNC machining, its advantages, and ways to maximize your budget when designing low volume CNC machining. Read on as we provide you with this important information.
1.Low volume CNC machining in detail
Low volume CNC machining combines the advantages of computer numerical control and CNC principles to produce small quantities of parts. Not all businesses need high volume products; some businesses need low volume products.
In addition, low-volume machined products do not require expensive tooling and are cost-effective. It is ideal for advancing ideas from the concept stage to the prototyping stage and then as a transition stage to full-scale production.
2.Advantages of using low volume CNC
There are many benefits for businesses to utilize low volume CNC, from low cost to capital protection. Let’s discuss the advantages of low volume CNC in more detail.
1) Improve Manufacturing Flexibility
Compared to injection molding or die casting, low volume CNC machining allows for greater design flexibility. It is easier to identify manufacturing errors and make necessary adjustments at the lowest cost.
After manufacturing a small batch of products, companies or businesses that adopt low volume CNC can listen to customer feedback and improve their products to achieve optimal customer satisfaction.
2) Reduce Time to Market
Technology, trends, and consumer preferences change every day, resulting in very fierce competition among companies in the same industry.
Adopting low volume production is one of the ways to ensure that high-quality products and parts enter the market in the shortest time.
3) Improve Corporate Cash Flow
Since low volume CNC machining shortens time to market, it also increases cash flow between customers and businesses.
Since products enter the market in a short period of time and drive sales, it also improves business turnover, so companies can quickly generate revenue and profits.
4) As a link in the production chain
Low-volume CNC machining production is a link or bridge between prototyping and full production of products. Prototyping involves producing customized products, while full production occurs when demand is high.
5) High-quality parts
Low volume CNC can produce high-quality parts with tight tolerances and excellent surface finish. This is because CNC machines are highly accurate and can produce parts to exact specifications.
3.Ways to maximize your budget when designing low volume CNC parts
Here are some design tips that can help you minimize the budget and time spent on low volume CNC machined parts.
1) Use simple and standard designs
When designing low volume CNC machined parts, try to keep the parts simple and uniform. However, manufacturing complex designs often requires more expensive CNC systems, manual repositioning, and rotation.
Therefore, it may be advantageous to break complex parts into smaller pieces for later assembly.
Here are some things you need to consider:
- Use standard threads
Just like standard drill bit sizes, using standard threads can save time and money when machining low-volume production. This requires utilizing existing thread categories during low-volume CNC machining rather than building unique threads. - Avoid tight tolerances
Tolerances, especially tight tolerances, increase setup time. In addition to setup time, they also increase inspection and low-volume CNC machining time and the need for specialized production techniques or secondary operations. Therefore, it is best to ensure that tolerances are tight enough to meet the design’s structural and functional requirements. - Use standard sizes when designing holes
As holes get deeper, metal chip removal becomes increasingly difficult and expensive, so try to keep the hole depth to five to six times the drill diameter. Also, be careful to use common drill sizes to design holes. Otherwise, you will need to purchase unique tools, which may increase price and manufacturing time.
2) Choose the right material for low volume part production
Project costs can rise significantly if the material is not chosen correctly, so material selection is critical for both long-term and short-term production.
In addition, machinability is also a factor to consider because even if the materials are different, there is a good chance that one of them will cost more than the other.
In other words, when you choose a CNC machine shop, if you don’t need the qualities of an expensive and unique material, choose a cheaper and/or more common material.
3) Consider the finishes and text to be used
When designing low volume CNC machined parts, it is best to avoid complex finishes and text. While the machined text has a good visual effect and is also good for operations, the technology will increase the production time and cost of each character in small batches due to the technology required to track each character.
If your small batch machined parts require a logo or some text, consider using surface treatment technology because it helps save money and time. For example, direct engraving using laser marking, painting, or screen printing can add text to the product faster.
4) DFM (Design for Manufacturing)
Design for manufacturing requires making parts that are easy to machine. In addition, it is crucial to consider the capabilities of the machining equipment when planning small batch machining.
In addition, make parts that can be produced with the tools at hand. In other words, if you have a 3-axis CNC machine, don’t use only 5-axis CNC machining to manufacture the product.
5) Reduce waste
Reducing waste is essential to reducing CNC machining costs and environmental protection. When designing products for machining or small batch injection molding, it is essential to consider the use of materials and manufacture parts that produce the least waste.
To reduce material waste, this can be achieved by requiring the use of recycled materials.
4.Choose Xavier for Low Volume CNC Machining
Are you looking for a low volume CNC machining company that can take on your low-volume production projects? Xavier is a reliable and trustworthy CNC manufacturer that can provide you with low-volume production services.
5.Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is a low-volume production method?
Before mass production or when demand is not high, companies use low-volume techniques to test their products in the market. Examples of low-volume options include 3D printing, CNC machining, and injection molding.
Each low volume production technology has its advantages and disadvantages and works best in certain applications.
2) Is CNC suitable for mass production?
Many industries use CNC machining because it can produce products with high precision and accuracy, reducing the possibility of human error.
This method is essential for the production process in industries where mass production, cost-effectiveness, and accuracy are critical.
3) Is additive manufacturing a better alternative for low-volume production?
Generally speaking, additive manufacturing is more suitable for projects that require fast delivery of final parts or prototypes and projects that do not require tight tolerances. Conversely, CNC machining is better suited for low-volume production projects that require tight tolerances or where part quantities are in the double digits or in the thousands.
6.Conclusion
Low volume manufacturing is the practice of producing small quantities of products or parts. All of the above highlights what you need to know about this CNC machining production practice.
We also looked at ways to maximize your budget when designing for low volume CNC machining to help you make an informed decision.
If you are looking for an experienced CNC machining manufacturer, Xavier is your ideal choice. The Xavier team is well-equipped to provide high-quality CNC machining solutions. If you need more information or to discuss your machining needs with us, please feel free to contact us.