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Boring vs Turning: Comparison Guide

Boring vs Turning: Comparison Guide
Austin Peng
Published 9 Jan 2025
Table of Content

Machining processes are used to manufacture components in many industries and applications. There are various types of machining processes, and each has a specific purpose.

Boring and turning are two very commonly adopted processes of machining that are chosen for their accuracy and precision.

If you want to learn about their differences, the guide below features boring vs turning comparison, so let's read.

What is CNC Boring?

CNC boring is a machining process that enlarges the pre-drilled holes with high accuracy. It removes material from the hole and helps to achieve the required surface finish and diameter. The process of CNC boring works on the interior hole and is used in aerospace, automobile, and other industries where tight tolerance is required.

How Boring Works

Boring Machining: A Detailed Guide

In CNC boring a cutting tool rotates consisting of a boring bar and is inserted in the pre-drilled hole present within the workpiece. The boring bar moves on the given instructions of the machine.

The CNC machine fits the boring bar in the hole, and as it rotates, the material is removed from the component. The cutting parameters can be adjusted for accuracy like speed and feed rate.

Pros and Cons of CNC Boring

The pros and cons of CNC boring are as follows:

Pros

  • CNC boring is a highly precise process that can finish the hole with accurate dimensions and surface finish.
  • It is an automated process and is suitable for repeatable operations with minimal error chance.
  • CNC boring is compatible with different materials and can easily create holes of different sizes.
  • It helps to create deep holes accurately.
  • The inner surface finish of the hole is improved due to its high performance.

Cons

  • A CNC boring machine is expensive and is not suitable for small-scale production.
  • It is slow compared to drilling and takes a lot of time when a large quantity of material is removed.
  • It cannot drill a hole; it needs predrilled holes, which it finishes and enlarges.

What is CNC Turning?

CNC turning is a process of machining in which the cutting tool removes material from a component that rotates.

It creates cylindrical parts and is controlled by an automated CNC machine. It helps to ensure uniform and precise results and can manufacture pulleys, shafts, and other components.

How Turning Works

CNC Turning Molybdenum

CNC turning rotates the workpiece on a fixed axis, and it has a single-point cutting tool that cuts the material. The workpiece is mounted on the spindle of the CNC lathe, and the machine makes the workpiece spin at a high speed.

The cutting tool is stationary, and as the workpiece rotates, it cuts the material and helps achieve the required shape. After the CNC turning process, secondary finishing operations may be required.

Pros and Cons of CNC Turning

The pros and cons of CNC turning are as follows:

Pros

  • CNC turning is a highly precise process that can create consistent dimensions and surface finishes.
  • The process of CNC turning is automated, which reduces production time and improves efficiency.
  • It is highly versatile and can work with metals, plastics, and even composites.
  • It can create components that have complex shapes and contours.
  • CNC machining ensures that human intervention is minimal and that the risk of mistakes is also reduced.

Cons

  • CNC turning machines require a high initial investment. If you want to produce a low volume of parts, it may be expensive.
  • The cutting tools of CNC turning require replacements as they wear out when they work with hard materials.
  • CNC turning creates components that are round, and non-cylindrical shapes cannot be manufactured.
  • It creates a lot of waste compared to other CNC machining processes.

Difference Between Boring and Turning

The differences between boring and turning are based on their purpose and they are highlighted below in detail:

Processing Size

CNC Turning

In the process of CNC turning, there are different sizes of products and it even has multiple fixtures to hold the workpiece. The turning tool moves in two ways, either in a straight line or in the form of a curve, so that the required size is attained.

CNC boring, on the other hand, is mostly chosen for components that are of small size and, hence struggle to offer precision with the large workpieces. The process of CNC boring also has small-sized work tables.

Workpiece Orientation

CNC turning makes the workpiece rotate about its axis, and the cutting tool moves parallel to the axis. It is a process which creates cylindrical shapes. The process of boring involves a workpiece station, and the cutting tool rotates along its axis.

Material Removal

Boring Machining: A Detailed Guide

The CNC turning vs. CNC boring difference becomes more visible when it comes to removing material. CNC turning removes materials from the outside of the workpiece. On the other hand, CNC boring removes it from the inside.

Machine Type

CNC turning is carried out by using a lathe, which is the point where the workpiece rotates. CNC boring, on the other hand, is carried out horizontally or vertically through machining centers where the workpiece remains stationary and the cutting tool rotates.

Industry Application

Boring Machining: A Detailed Guide

CNC turning is used in manufacturing cylindrical components or such parts that have conical features. It is safely used in the aerospace, automobile, and manufacturing industries.

CNC boring, on the other hand, is opted in an industry where the precision of the internal holes of components is important. It is used in the oil and gas industry and automobiles to create precise internal cavities.

Types of Tools Used

The different types of tools used in boring and turning are as follows:

Boring Tools

Boring Machining: A Detailed Guide

Single Point Boring Bar: It is a boring bar that has a single cutting edge and is used to enlarge the internal holes and attain a fine surface finish.

Adjustable Boring Head: The adjustable boring head is a tool that helps with precision adjustment, and the diameter of the hole can be changed using it.

Twin Cutting Boring Bars: These are cutting boring bars that have two cutting edges and can help create holes with larger diameters and enhance the rate of material removal.

Turning Tools

Turning Machine

Threading Tool: These tools are used for cutting the threads in screws and offer accurate threads.

Parting Tool: It is a tool that helps to cut off a finished component from the workpiece and also has a narrow blade that separates the component from the block of materials.

Grooving Tool: The grooving tool helps to cut channels in the workpiece surface, and o-rings are usually preferred.

Forming Tool: The forming tool opts for machining shapes that have complex geometry in the workpieces.

When to Use Boring or Turning?

When it comes to choosing between boring vs turning and what to use from these machining processes, this section will help you.

Material Type

Cast Iron

Boring is a process that is suitable for materials that are hard like cast iron and steel. The process of turning is versatile and can work with hard as well as softer materials.

Workpiece Geometry

Boring is a suitable process for internal machining, such as enlarging and finishing the pre-drilled holes. Turning, on the other hand, is suitable for shaping the outer diameter of components that are cylindrical in shape.

Desired Finish and Precision

Custom Cast Iron Parts

Boring offers high precision, and the surface finish is excellent for internal holes. Therefore, it is widely adopted for applications that need tight tolerances.

Turning, on the other hand, offers high precision for the external surfaces. It can help achieve a moderate surface finish, and requires secondary processing.

Speed vs. Accuracy

Boring is a slow process, but it is more controlled and offers accuracy for the internal diameters of the components. Turning, on the other hand, helps remove the material from the outer part faster but can offer precision, too.

Conclusion

When it comes to comparing boring and turning, both processes have their own pros and cons. However, they can be chosen based on your own requirements and whether you need to finish the inner part of the component or the outer features.

If you want assistance with the processes for your custom components, DEK can be your go-to solution.

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Austin Peng
Co-founder of DEK
AUTHOR
Hello! I'm Austin Peng. I manage a factory that specializes in CNC machining, injection molding, and sheet metal fabrication for small quantity production and rapid prototyping solutions. When I'm not immersed in work, I love diving into football matches, exploring new travel destinations, enjoying music, and staying updated on the latest tech trends. Feel free to chat with me about anything, whether it's work or life!

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