CNC Turning Stainless Steel: The Ultimate Guide

Are you searching for reliable CNC turning stainless steel services? Not sure which one will benefit your business most?

We are presenting a foolproof guide to understand better the details and technicalities of CNC turning stainless steel.

By the end, you will have all the essential information required to opt for the right supplier.

Let’s get started.

What Are the Benefits of Using CNC Turning to Stainless Steel?

The benefits of using CNC turning stainless steel are discussed as follows:

Wear Resistance And Smoothness

Using a CNC turning machine will allow for longer cutting tool life and smoother surfaces without abrasive grains.

This is because water cooling prevents work-hardened materials from forming.

Consequently, it increases the chances of keeping the parts in the best shape during rapid manufacturing processes like milling and drilling.

Greater Accuracy

With computer numerical control technology, there is a greater degree of positional repeatability among tool movement paths.

Moreover, it makes these machines perfect for producing small batches, but they can also handle more significant quantities.

Greater Productivity

CNC turning enables simultaneous machining from multiple sides, enhancing productivity by reducing the need for multiple operations.

Additionally, the CNC turning can be done through an automated process which can help in boosting production.

Low Labour Costs

CNC Turning is done entirely through automation, reducing the labor costs and making the process efficiently done.

Which Stainless Steel Series is Suitable for CNC Turning?

The stainless steel series suitable for CNC turning is the austenitic series due to its solid and robust chemical nature.

Often, austenitic stainless steel is used in CNC machining mainly due to its crystalline structure and non-hardening property upon heating.

Therefore, they make excellent candidates for these operations where strength and weldability are key considerations without the need for higher concentrations.

For alloying elements, they can reduce corrosion resistance qualities at room temperature.

In wet conditions, 304 and 316 grades of stainless steel consisting of a chromium content ranging from 16-26% are known as a “guard.”

Typically, the chromium operates better when annealed and helps to prevent rust from forming on blades while working outdoors.

But when it comes to cutting, grades such as 410 and 220 nickel alloys (or best-known products like cutlery) show great quality in non-annealed steels.

It is because they possess a different microstructure known as ferritic stainless steel.

Is CNC Turning Stainless Steel Parts Suitable for Mass Production?

Yes, CNC turning stainless steel parts are suitable for mass production due to their wholly automated working mechanism.

However, Not all products are created equal, and some products require more time and effort to be manufactured, while others can be produced in bulk.

Therefore, it is necessary to identify whether or not it is a good idea to produce your part or is it suitable for mass production.

Consequently, the CNC turning can either be used independently or as a part of another manufacturing process (like injection molding).

Furthermore, mass-producing with this method requires planning before you start but will pay off once you begin.

Is CNC Turning Stainless Steel Parts Suitable for Small Batch Production?

Yes, CNC turning stainless steel parts are suitable for small batch production as the process requires less time.

Compared to manual turning or milling, CNC turning machines handle complexity and produce high volumes.

However, the main problem with CNC turning for batch production is that you can’t make changes to a design easily or quickly once the machine has started producing parts.

Commonly, this issue is avoided by designing one piece at a time. Once the prototype is perfectly produced, a complete batch can be manufactured with the same precision.

Moreover, if you decide to utilize CNC for batch production, be aware that any changes will be expensive and time-consuming because of the heavy price tags.

However, your purchase will be worth it when you choose DEK as your reliable manufacturer as they are capable of providing efficient CNC turning stainless steel services in China.

With 20 years of experience in this field, DEK never fails to impress its consumers with reliable and high-performance quality services.

What Circumstances Should I Follow While Choosing CNC Turning Stainless Steel?

The circumstances you should follow while choosing CNC turning stainless steel are mentioned below:

CNC Machine Handling

Firstly, the CNC turning machine must be appropriate for the work you’re going to do, and it must possess exact axis positioning.

Consequently, if the former is not good enough, your items may become misshapen or are likely to break apart while cutting.

Moreover, the latter isn’t accurate enough, and you may get inconsistent dimensions between items.

Spindle Power

Typically, the spindle power should be enough to make the process efficient and quick.

Usually, choosing a higher power than typical for your work requirement is better because the excess cost can be earned back through increased productivity.

Control System

Generally, choosing CNC turning stainless steel with a better control system will allow you to create highly efficient and premium quality parts.

Feed Rate

The feed rate determines the speed at which the workpiece is subjected to cutting equipment during a project’s execution.

However, higher feed rates mean higher productivity, but choosing too high might damage the material or cause the formation of distorted shapes if not able to withstand at that speed.

How About the Corrosion Resistance of Stainless Steel Turned Parts?

The corrosion resistance of stainless steel turned parts is essential as it plays a vital role in increasing the lifespan of products.

Moreover, to produce top-quality turned products, a wide range of Stainless steel alloys are available.

Additionally, the alloying elements in these materials impart specific properties that control corrosion resistance, strength, hardness, and toughness.

Usually, metals are protected against atmospheric corrosion by a stable oxide film.

However, if this film is damaged and the metal is exposed, the atmospheric corrodents will immediately react, leading the metal to corrosion.

Moreover, this thin layer of corrosion product provides a medium for further attack on the surface.

Technically, it penetrates beneath the passive layer where rapid anodic dissolution occurs, with hydrogen evolution and a build-up of corrosion products.

Furthermore, the corrosion resistance of stainless steel turned parts is fine when it reaches the customer’s hands.

Typically too much time can’t be spent on making sure that the part doesn’t rust right before shipment out to the customers.

So, the manufacturers use high-quality stainless steel turned parts to provide a durable thin film on the products to prohibit corrosion.

This way, corrosion won’t happen as much since it will be tough for water to get through the corrosion-resistant stainless steel turned part’s surface and form rust.

Essentially, corrosion doesn’t mean that product quality is low. It simply means that the water reached the surface and resulted in corrosion on the surface.

In the case of stainless steel, it is difficult for the water to corrode as they are highly corrosion resistant.

Turning 304 Stainless Steel Vs. Turning 316 Stainless Steel, Which Is Better?

Among turning 304 stainless steel or turning 316 stainless steel, 316 is by far the most better grade used in machining.

Usually, the choice between turning 304 and 316 comes up for people learning to run a machine shop or setting one up for the first time.

Primarily, both grades have very high corrosion resistance, so using one over the other will not affect your parts.

However, 304 is much cheaper than 316. While this is an obvious benefit, you may not be able to justify spending more for the luxury of turning in one grade or another.

Technically, Type 316 has higher tensile strength and yield strength than Type 304 stainless steel, making it stronger and more challenging for the machine.

Consequently, this can lead to longer cycle times, more force on machine components, and even premature machine failure.

Unfortunately, Type 316 stainless steel can only be used in applications that will not react with acidic or alkaline chemicals.

Additionally, this includes all food surfaces and contact things like deionized water lines and industrial and chemical processing equipment.

While 316 stainless steel is more resistant to corrosion from sulfuric acid, it can still be attacked by oxidizing acids such as nitric acid.

Preferably, 304 stainless steel is helpful in the medical industry as it’s compatible with all sterilization methods.

What Are the Common Applications of CNC Turning Stainless Steel?

The common applications of CNC turning stainless steel are briefly discussed as follows:

Kitchen Sinks

Kitchen sinks are the most common application of CNC turning stainless steel.

Commercially, it is also known as 18/8 because it is composed of 18% chromium and 8% nickel.

Cutlery

Silverware made from stainless steel is very common, as it does not corrode or oxidize as regular iron or nickel silverware would.

Practically, many chefs choose to use either hard-grit sandpaper, fine polishing papers, power tools such as a belt sander, or rotary tools to polish their steel.

Cookware

CNC turning stainless steel is used in cookware due to its ability to withstand high temperatures without deforming or corroding.

Moreover, sauces and acidic foods will not cause corrosion, but the cookware cannot be used with salt due to possible pitting on its surface.

Surgical tools and medical equipment

Additionally, the CNC turning stainless steel is helpful in surgical tools and equipment such as homeostasis (an instrument used in surgeries).

Automotives

Typically, a car will corrode before stainless steel parts do unless an efficient exhaust system is made out of the material.

To that end, CNC turning stainless steel services are often used in car bodies to protect from corrosion.

Architecture

Commercially, the Chrysler Building is a very famous example of applications for CNC turning stainless steel.

Moreover, the Stainless steel applications in architecture extend into the category of bridges as well.

Monuments And Sculptures

In addition to architecture applications, stainless steel parts are also used to construct monuments and sculptures.

Where to buy these typical applications?

You may find a lot of companies dealing with CNC turning stainless steel. But when it comes to quality, DEK is the no.1 company.

With 20+ years of experience in making all vital CNC turning stainless steel applications, DEK always delivers exceptional outcomes.

Does DEK offer CNC Turning Stainless Steel Services?

DEK has offered stainless steel CNC turning services in the industry for over 20 years with equal reliability and satisfying results.

Furthermore, they offer high-quality customizations to their customers worldwide, at affordable prices and packages.

Moreover, the DEK team strives to provide efficient and economical products to produce small or oversized items through top-notch services.

Consequently, they maintain pre-eminent quality as each piece manufactured uses reliable raw materials with minimal waste during the production process too.