What is the difference between CNC grinding machine and CNC milling machine

There are significant differences between CNC grinding machines and CNC milling machines in multiple aspects, mainly reflected in machining principles, machining accuracy, applicable workpieces, machining methods, as well as operation and maintenance.

1. Processing principle

Numerical Control Grinding Machine: It mainly processes workpieces through grinding. It uses grinding tools such as grinding wheels to remove material from the surface of the workpiece through high-speed rotation and relative motion with the workpiece, in order to achieve the desired shape and size.

CNC milling machine: It processes workpieces through cutting. It uses cutting tools such as milling cutters to remove excess material from the workpiece by rotating and moving along its surface, forming the desired shape and size.

2. Processing accuracy

Numerical Control Grinding Machine: Usually used for high-precision grinding of workpieces, it can achieve very high machining accuracy, even reaching micrometer level or even higher precision.

CNC milling machine: Although it can also perform various types of machining, its machining accuracy is usually relatively low, usually around 0.01mm.

3. Applicable workpieces

Numerical Control Grinding Machine: It is mainly suitable for precision machining of workpieces such as flat surfaces, inner and outer cylindrical surfaces, and inner and outer conical surfaces. It is particularly suitable for machining high-precision flat surfaces such as various hard alloy cutting tools, measuring tools, and molds. It can also be used for grinding flat surfaces of quenched steel, hard alloys, and other materials.

Numerical control milling machine: It is suitable for processing workpieces of various shapes, such as grooves, holes, convex and concave surfaces, etc. It is widely used in the processing of various mechanical parts, such as complex surfaces and slopes of boxes, cylinder bodies, blades, cams, etc. It can also perform drilling, tapping and other operations.

4. Processing method

CNC grinding machine: It is usually a unidirectional feed, that is, the grinding wheel grinds the workpiece in one direction.

CNC milling machine: It can perform feed processing in multiple directions, and control the movement trajectory of the milling cutter on the surface of the workpiece through programming to achieve processing of complex shapes.

5. Operation and maintenance

Numerical Control Grinding Machine: The operation is relatively simple and requires low technical proficiency from workers, but due to its complex structure, maintenance costs are high.

CNC milling machine: operation and maintenance are relatively complex, requiring high technical level and practical experience, but due to its relatively simple structure, maintenance costs are also relatively low.

In summary, there are significant differences between CNC grinders and CNC milling machines in terms of machining principles, machining accuracy, applicable workpieces, machining methods, as well as operation and maintenance. In practical applications, the appropriate type of machine tool should be selected based on specific processing requirements and product characteristics. At the same time, in order to ensure processing quality and production efficiency, operators should have corresponding technical level and experience, familiar with the structure, performance, and working principle of the machine tools used.