Learn About Turning And Milling Composite In One Minute-Jiangying Precision Machinery

Learn about turning and milling composite in one minute-Jiangying Precision Machinery

Now there is a turning-milling compound machine tool that performs both turning and milling at the same time. This can save production processes. However, the purchase cost of this equipment is very high, and it is also difficult to recruit suitable workers. Everyone needs to carefully consider whether this situation is cost-effective.

How can one machine do two jobs?

At this point in time in 2025, for the turning and milling compound machine tool equipment produced by the two brands of Mazak and DMG MORI, the spindle operating speed is set to 12,000 rpm, and it also has the linkage control capability of the X-axis and the Z-axis, so that it can complete the task of processing the outer circle, end face, keyway and thread in one clamping operation. In this way, three machine tools were needed to complete the work. Now you can do it all at just one work station.

The core point of this is that both turning and milling cutters are installed on the turret. The C-axis can rotate 360 ​​degrees without turning the surface at all. For the 2024 domestic machine CNC system, it supports six-axis linkage and can run the entire process after programming once.

Why is the accuracy higher than that of individual processing?

After the turning work is completed, it is sent to the milling machine for processing. Each time, the tool setting and clamping turning and milling combined processing must be carried out again. The accumulated error has reached the range of 0.02 mm to 0.05 mm. However, using the turning and milling combined processing method, the processing link can be completed within one clamping, and the coaxiality is controlled within 0.01 mm. This is the level of accuracy guaranteed by Bosch for steering parts in 2025.

Most models are equipped with an online probe. After processing a surface, it will automatically detect it. If the size is found to be out of tolerance, the tool compensation will be adjusted immediately. There is a factory in Suzhou that produces aviation hydraulic valves. It purchased these two pieces of equipment in 2024. The scrap rate was reduced from 1.8% to 0.3%, saving 400,000 yuan in rework costs a year.

Which industries use it most

Automotive parts are the largest customer group in this field. By 2025, in the supply chain systems of Changan Automobile and BYD, components such as steering column housings and hybrid transmission housings will basically be processed through a combined turning and milling process. In addition, products such as aviation hydraulic parts and medical titanium alloy joints are also being consumed in large quantities.

The outsourcing market is also growing. Specifically, in 2024, outsourcing orders for turn-milling composites in the Yangtze River Delta region increased by 35% compared to the previous year. These orders are mainly concentrated in Ningbo, Suzhou, and Changzhou. Since small and medium-sized manufacturers cannot afford those equipment, they directly outsource mass-produced components to professional processing plants for processing.

The equipment is expensive, but after all the calculations are done, it saves money.

Regarding the situation of domestic turning and milling compound machine tools in 2025, its quotation range is between 800,000 and 1.5 million. If it is an imported product, the price will be more than 2 million. However, one advantage of this is that it can save the cost of two ordinary machine tools, two workers, and a set of tooling and fixtures. According to the usual calculation method, the investment cost can be recovered in about three to five years. On the other hand, for external collaborative processing based on the piece-by-piece pricing method, customers do not need to advance such a large amount of funds.

That disadvantage is real. Components such as the spindle, turret and hydraulic station must be maintained every day. The annual maintenance cost will account for 5% to 8% of the equipment price. This ratio is quite high. Operators must master five-axis programming technology. By 2025, the monthly salary of such technicians in the Yangtze River Delta region will start at 15,000 yuan.

What are the requirements for undertaking outsourcing?

To undertake outsourced orders for turning and milling, it is not enough to have all the equipment. Because our major customers in 2025 clearly require us to obtain ISO 9001 certification and IATF 1695 certification. For some key parts, material re-inspection must be done and a first article report using three-dimensional coordinate measurement must be provided. If any of these conditions are missing, you will not be able to get on that platform.

The delivery cycle is a rigid rule that must be met. Although it only takes four hours to process a complex part, the customer requires that large batches of delivery tasks must be completed within 72 hours. Therefore, the soft power performance in terms of production scheduling capabilities, the number of tool reserves, and how to arrange night shifts actually affects the final progress more than problems with the machine equipment itself.

Which direction will we go in the next two years?

In 2026, we will go in two directions. Desktop-level small turn-milling machines have already been launched in Shenzhen and Dongguan. They are sufficient for short-batch production of electronic structural parts. Black-light factories equipped with unloading robots are also being rolled out.

There will be obvious differentiation in the outsourcing market. Those large-volume standard parts products will be divided and occupied by large leading companies. However, businesses such as special-shaped parts and small batches and multiple varieties can be undertaken by small and medium-sized enterprises and can obtain corresponding production tasks. The most critical point is whether these small and medium-sized enterprises can smoothly enter industries with high gross profit margins such as aviation and medical care.

In your factory, are you still using a single lathe and then a milling machine? Have you ever carefully calculated how much cost you can save if you switch to a turn-mill compound machining machine and switch to a turn-mill compound machining machine? If you think this content is helpful to everyone, please give it a like. Then pass it on to your colleagues on the shop floor.