Besides the techniques mentioned above, many other CNC machine tools are in common practice. Some of these are:
CNC Broaching
CNC broaching uses a specialized toothed cutting tool to remove material from a workpiece. The cutting tool itself is called a broach. There are two variations of broaching- linear and rotary. Broaching is generally used to create keyways and profiles into a workpiece.
CNC Plasma Cutting
CNC plasma cutting is a type of metal cutting process where an ionized gas is accelerated at a high velocity and it melts and removes the workpiece material at the predetermined location. The plasma jet also blows away the molten metal resulting in a clean cut. However, this method is very limited in terms of compatible materials and the maximum cutting thickness.
CNC Laser Cutting
CNC laser cutting is a type of material cutting process that uses an amplified light beam to remove material from the workpiece. Laser cutters work on most materials and are not limited to metals. The thickness of the laser cutting beam can be reduced to a microscopic level leading to extremely low kerfs and high precision
CNC Water Jet Cutting
CNC waterjet cutting is a type of cutting process that uses the force generated by ultra high water pressure to remove material from a workpiece. Water jets can cut material of any thickness and type. Unlike other cutting processes, water jets are a cold-cutting method that doesn't leave any burn marks.
CNC Honing
CNC honing is a type of surface machining process that creates a precision face on a workpiece by using abrasive grinding wheels or stones. The grinder used in this process is called a honing stone.
CNC Lapping
CNC lapping is a type of surface machining process that uses an abrasive paste instead of stones or wheels. The paste consists of a mixture of abrasive particles in oil. A lapping machine can remove minute amounts of material from workpieces to increase their dimensional accuracy.
CNC Flame Cutting
CNC flame cutting is a type of material cutting process that uses oxy-fuel gas to melt and remove workpiece material. The direction and magnitude of the cutting head can be controlled with a computer numerical control machine. CNC flame cutting is not as preferrable as water jets or laser cutters due to the low quality of results obtainable.
Electrical Discharge Machining
Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) is a type of metal cutting operation that uses the high temperature generated by high-frequency electrical pulses. The pulses are generated due to a high voltage between electrical electrodes and the workpieces. EDM cutting has high precision. However, it is only limited to metals with a low thickness.