If you need to prototype a product or produce ametal mold, it is best to use rapid prototyping technologies. One such technology is 3D milling.
\n\n\n
Milling as a method of material processing has been known since the beginning of the 19th century. In the third millennium, the technology has evolved to such an extent that it has become one of the main ways to create 3D models. For 3D milling is used milling machine with numerical control (CNC), which allows to ensure high accuracy of manufactured objects from any material. Thus, 3D-milling is a process of creation of specified complex volumetric products from the selected material with the help of CNC milling machine in a multi-stage and continuous mode of production.
\n\n\n
KOLORO KOLORO has CNC milling machines, which allow us to perform millingworks of differentcomplexity. If necessary, our engineers will create a three-dimensional model of yourproduct in programs for working with 3d-graphics.
\n\n\n
\n\n\n
Material for 3D milling
\n\n\n
In the process of 3D milling different materials are used, taking into account the properties of the object to be created and the wishes of the customer. Depending on the material used, 3D milling is divided into the following types:
\n\n\n
- \n\t
- Plastic milling(polycarbonates, ABS and PLA, polystyrene, polyethylene, etc.);
- \n\t
- milling of ferrous and non-ferrous metals(steel, dural, copper, aluminum, etc.);
- \n\t
- milling of wood, as well as various composite materials made of wood (fiberboard, chipboard, MDF, etc.);
- \n\t
- composite milling(including materials containing glass fibers and ester resins);
- \n\t
- stone milling andother types of milling.
- \n
\n\n\n
Stages of 3D milling
\n\n\n
3D milling is carried out in several stages:
\n\n\n
- \n\t
- creation by an engineer of a three-dimensionalmodel of an object(3DEngineering, SolidWorks, 3DStudioMax, etc.);
- \n\t
- preparation of the created 3D-model for milling(tool selection, as well as writing a program/algorithm (actions) for the milling machine with a CNC);
- \n\t
- trial milling of a plastic workpiece(for example, milling metal is an expensive process, so in order to preserve the possibility of making low-cost adjustments, it is better to first produce a test piece using a less expensive material, and only then use metal);
- \n\t
- Based on the data obtained after the test milling, the final 3D model is milled.
- \n
\n\n\n
\n\n\n
Milling process
\n\n\n
CNC milling is a complex and high-tech process. Based on the received data, the milling machine starts to process the workpiece and form a 3D model of it. Thus, the three-dimensional image begins to acquire the shape of a real object.
\n\n\n
In 3D milling, the milling cutter makes two kinds of passes:
\n\n\n
- \n\t
- roughing pass(the basic lines and shape of the object are set, the size of the cutter is slightly larger than in finishing, and the pitch of the milling machine is larger);
- \n\t
- finishing pass(the cutter passes once again in the same places, but already with fine cutting, honing the shape, down to hundredths of a millimeter, based on the data of the 3D model).
- \n
\n\n\n
It is worth noting that this rapid prototyping technology uses conical cutters with flat and spherical ends. It is this shape that is most suitable for creating complex 3D models.
\n\n\n
Operating principle of the CNC milling machine
\n\n\n
The 3D milling process involves a milland a workpiece. The workpiece is the raw material that the machine processes into a part or any other monolithic object. The control of the milling machine with numerical control (numerical program control) takes place through a computing device, most often a computer. The signal about the need to move the cutter is fed to special controllers, which in turn process this signal, and, with a given power, feed it to the motors. The cutter on a CNC milling machine is forced to rotate the spindle, which sets the speed of rotation, as well as the trajectory along which the cutter will pass. The CNC system, which is responsible for signal conversion, is responsible for the machine’s perception of a text file of control codes. This file is created by an engineer experienced in CAM programs.
\n\n\n
Types of CNC milling machines
\n\n\n
Depending on how complex a model needs to be built, different millingmachines are used.
\n\n\n
3D CNC milling machines are categorized into three types:
\n\n\n
- \n\t
- three-axis;
- \n\t
- four-axis;
- \n\t
- five-axis.
- \n
\n\n\n
\n\n\n
Advantages of 3D milling on CNC machines
\n\n\n
CNC milling has a number of advantages:
\n\n\n
- \n\t
- High-precision computer control;
- \n\t
- High speed operation of the CNC machine;
- \n\t
- Using a milling machine to engrave on different materials;
- \n\t
- Possibility to process large surfaces.
- \n
\n\n\n
\n\n\n
Areas of use of CNC milling machines
\n\n\n
Industry
\n\n\n
Production of metal molds for casting, molds for casting from other materials, as well as design and production of master models, production of trial series of products and small-scale production. In addition, 3D milling is widely used in the automotive industry, where automobile parts and various tuning elements are created on the basis of 3D models.
\n\n\n
Advertising production
\n\n\n
3D milling is not always used in this field. For example, to create logos (or three-dimensional words and phrases), two-dimensional milling machines are sometimes sufficient. Thanks to 3-d milling such products can look even more perfect, for example, by decorating them with original volumetric patterns similar to carving. In addition, 3-D milling is used in the production of POS materials, templates and souvenir products. It is especially important that a CNC milling machine can work with almost any type of material!
\n\n\n
Instrumentation
\n\n\n
3D milling is used to create instrument panels, circuit boards, and holes in radio and electrical engineering.
\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n
KOLORO provides 3D milling services. This service requires an individualapproach to each individual case, and therefore to calculate the cost youneed to provide us with a 3Dmodel of the desiredproduct in STL format (or any other format) or at least approximate drawings of the future product, with an explanation of the tasks.
\n\n\n
Taking into account the required amount of materials, their type, as well as the volume and complexity of work – we will sound you an approximate price ofmilling and other required work, the reduction or increase of which we will agree by negotiation.Order milling and contact us by phone:+38-(057)-760-26-05; +38-(057)-760-26-06,+38-(099)-618-87-50 ore-mail:info@koloro.ua.
