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Precision and efficiency are the keys to today's manufacturing world. Speaking of revolutionary cutting and shaping methods, two of the most important breakthroughs are CNC milling and laser cutting. These advanced methods have revolutionized industries by allowing intricate designs, shortening production time, and generally improving the quality of products. Despite the popularity of the two, many people find it hard to tell the two processes apart.
Computer Numerical Control milling, better known as CNC milling, works with a wide range of materials and offers excellent accuracy and versatility. On the other hand, laser cutting excels in speed, complexity of shapes, and detailing with laser-focused beams.
For those looking to combine the strengths of both, our Carvera Desktop CNC Machine provides a powerful solution. Carvera’s unique features, such as the Auto Tool Changer and Laser Engraver, make precision cutting as easy as using a 3D printer. In this article, we’ll explore CNC milling and laser cutting in-depth and help you decide the best approach for your projects.
Computer Numerical Control milling, popularly known as CNC milling, is a process through which rotating cutting tools, abetted by computerized controls, result in the removal of a workpiece material to the desired form. In particular, CNC milling differs from the traditional approach through the complete automation it entails. Because of this, even an end product with complex shapes and detailed design will be produced with intricate consistency. Due to its accuracy and efficiency, this technology has been commonly adopted across the globe for automotive, aerospace, and medical equipment manufacturing industries.
Developing a CAD model, a digital representation of an object, marks the first step in CNC milling. Further, it is transformed into a CNC program using CAM software that creates the code, which controls the movement of the milling machine.
The material to be machined usually consists of metal, plastic, or even wood and fits onto a worktable inside the CNC milling machine. The spindles are rotary cutting tools that progressively remove material from the workpiece under command through the CNC milling machine. The cutting tool moves along multiple axes, most commonly the X, Y, and Z axes, enabling it to create complex forms with great accuracy.
CNC Milling: It is a type of subtractive manufacturing process where material, in successive steps, is removed by rotary cutting tools from a workpiece. The CNC machine controls the movement of the cutting tool along several axes, X, Y, and Z, enabling the correct shaping of the material. This process is ideal for creating intricate, three-dimensional parts with detailed features and accommodates more complex materials.
Laser Cutting: By contrast, laser cutting is a thermal cutting technique whereby a potent laser beam is used to melt, burn, or even vaporize the material along a well-predefined path. The laser is controlled by a CNC system, working according to design specifications, providing exact and intricate cuts, especially for thinner materials. Unlike CNC milling, laser cutting does not involve physical contact with the material; hence, it is a non-contact process.
CNC Milling: It can involve materials within a broad spectrum, including metals like steel, aluminum, brass, plastics, wood, and composites. CNC milling is more appropriate for thicker and more complex materials, where the cutting tools can withstand resistance and provide detailed shapes without compromising accuracy.
Laser Cutting: Works best with thin to moderately thick materials and is effective on metals like steel, aluminum, brass, plastics, wood, acrylic, fabric, and paper. However, it is less effective when dealing with thicker and denser materials than CNC milling.
CNC Milling: It possesses a high degree of accuracy, with minimum tolerances of ±0.01 mm, making it suitable for applications where exact measurement is crucial, such as in the aerospace and medical device industries.
Laser Cutting: The process is highly accurate and mainly used for intricate, detailed designs with tolerances usually falling between ±0.001 mm. It is ideal for applications requiring fine detailing and sharp edges, like jewelry, electronics, and custom signage.
CNC Milling: It is usually slower than laser cutting, especially for harder or thicker materials, as it removes material piece by piece, which can be time-consuming.
Laser Cutting: Generally faster, particularly when working with thin materials or intricate designs. The laser can cut or engrave at high speeds, making it suitable for high-volume productions or projects with tight turnarounds.
CNC Milling: Parts made with this method have a smooth finish; however, the smoothness may vary based on the cutting tool and speed. Additional finishing, such as sanding or polishing, may be required to improve surface quality.
Laser Cutting: This produces clean and smooth edges with minimal burring, usually not requiring additional finishing. This makes it efficient for applications that demand high-quality edges right away.
CNC Milling: Generally requires a more significant initial investment due to the use of expensive equipment and tools. However, it may be cost-effective in the long term for projects requiring complex and high-precision work or dealing with more rigid materials.
Laser Cutting: Typically less expensive at the outset and more cost-effective for projects involving thin materials or complex designs. However, it has an added cost when cutting thicker materials or metals due to the increased energy required.
CNC milling is suitable for more complex, high-precision parts made from harder and thicker materials, while laser cutting excels in speed, efficiency, and fine detailing—mostly on thinner materials.
Understanding these fundamental differences will help you choose the most appropriate method based on your project requirements.
CNC Milling:
Laser Cutting:
CNC Milling:
Laser Cutting:
Overall, CNC milling improves with thicker materials and high-precision jobs, while laser cutting offers offers speed and minute detailing in thinner materials. Applications mainly define which one of the two is to be used.
While CNC milling and laser cutting have different strengths, if you want precision, versatility, and ease of use in one machine, you should look closer at our Carvera Desktop CNC Machine. The Carvera is the first smart desktop CNC mill ever built to be as easy to use as a 3D printer! Features like the Auto Tool Changer, Auto Probe, Vacuum System, and Laser Engraver make precision machining accessible with Carvera to makers of all levels, from the amateur hobbyist to the experienced maker.
In this connection, we are pleased to announce that our most recent product, the Carvera Air, is now available for pre-sale. The Carvera Air is a smart, precise, versatile, and reasonably priced CNC that fits your desk and provides professional-grade capability at an accessible price.
Whether you need the power of CNC milling or laser engraving, Carvera and Carvera Air are the perfect ways to make your creative vision real. Come check them out today and elevate your desktop machining experience to a new level!
