CNC machining at Knees Engineering

Knees Engineering offers fast and reliable CNC machining services to businesses across the UK.

We have full facilities for CNC milling, turning and drilling, allowing us to cater for one-off prototypes as well as small, medium and high volume production runs.

Working from a technical drawing or 3D CAD data, our skilled and experienced engineers can produce high-quality parts and components in a variety of materials including aluminium, stainless steel, copper, brass and plastic.

Find out more about CNC machining below, or contact Knees Engineering today to discuss how we can help with your next metal fabrication job.

Knees Engineering offers fast and reliable CNC machining services to businesses across the UK.

We have full facilities for CNC milling, turning and drilling, allowing us to cater for one-off prototypes as well as small, medium and high volume production runs.

Find out more about CNC machining below, or contact Knees Engineering today to discuss how we can help with your next metal fabrication job.

Our CNC machining service

CNC milling

We regularly mill parts and components in a variety of materials including aluminium, stainless steel, copper, brass and plastic.

What’s more, our CNC milling machinery is fully integrated with CAD/CAM systems, which allow us to produce parts and components to a very high standard with short lead times.

CNC turning

Although we perform manual turning in-house, we use a specialist third-party to fulfil our CNC turning requirements.

Their CNC turning capabilities include a 4-axis machine and live tooling that can machine cylindrical components up to 250mm. They also utilise Swiss-style sliding head lathe technology to achieve maximum precision and accuracy.

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01225 753894

info@kneesengineering.co.uk

What is CNC machining?

CNC (computer numerical control) machining is a manufacturing process in which pre-programmed computer software controls the actions of machining tools.

A CNC machine such as a lathe or mill follows a coded set of instructions and then automatically processes a piece of material to meet the specifications. The CNC software determines the entire process, from the movement of the cutting head to the spindle speed, feed rate etc.

There are several types of CNC machining methods (see below) but they all broadly follow the same CNC production stages:

Designing a CAD model

The process starts with designing a 2d or 3d model of the required part using CAD software such as Solidworks.

Converting the model into a CNC readable format

The completed design is converted by CAM software into a CNC program that the machine can understand. The CNC program is essentially a set of coordinates that determine the movements of the machine across the workpiece

Setting up the machine

The operator prepares the CNC machine by affixing the workpiece and attaching the appropriate tools

Performing the operation

Once the machine is ready, the operator launches the program which then prompts the machine to begin the operation and create the custom-designed part.

More about CNC machining

At Knees Engineering we pride ourselves on manufacturing high-quality machined components to suit your requirements. So whether your job involves milling, turning or drilling, our experienced team can help.

Over the years we’ve machined parts for all sorts of industries including oil and gas, seating systems, automotive and construction to name a few. Our modern factory is based in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, but we provide CNC machining services to businesses from across the UK.

Speak to our team today to find out more.

Types of CNC machining

The term ‘CNC machining’ traditionally refers to a select few automated manufacturing operations – namely milling, turning and drilling.

We sometimes find that customers are unsure about which CNC machining service they require. If this is the case then rest assured that our highly trained team will be happy to advise you and recommend the most appropriate method for your needs.

Milling
Milling is a machining process that uses a multi-point cutting tool to remove material from the workpiece. The cutting tool rotates to progressively chip away the material and produce a custom-designed part or component. CNC milling machines can create parts with exceptional accuracy, making them ideal for jobs where precision is key.
Turning
Unlike milling, the turning process sees the workpiece rotate as opposed to the cutting tool. A turning lathe secures and rotates the workpiece while a single-point cutting tool removes portions of the material to create the desired component. CNC turning is much faster than manual turning, which requires the lathe to be turned by hand.
Drilling
CNC drilling uses rotating multi-point drill bits to produce holes or other shapes at a set diameter and length in the workpiece. The machine feeds the drill bit perpendicularly or angularly to the workpiece to produce the hole(s). The drilling process can be used for a variety of operations including counterboring, countersinking, tapping and reaming.

What are the advantages of CNC machining?

CNC machining has many benefits over conventional machining, particularly when dealing with large volume batch jobs.

Some of the advantages of CNC machining include:

Consistent quality
As parts are produced in the same way over and over again, every piece will match the prototype’s specifications exactly. Even the most skilled engineers on a conventional machine will produce components that vary slightly, especially when dealing with large quantities.
Speed and efficiency
CNC machines can perform the same task much faster than a human operating a traditional machine. Unlike manual machines they can also be programmed to run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, thereby increasing output and productivity.
Less waste
With every movement of a CNC machine planned and automated, there’s a much lower chance of mistakes occurring due to human error. This results in fewer parts having to be scrapped and less material waste.
Reduced labour costs
While traditional machining requires one operator per machine, several CNC machines can be managed by one skilled engineer. With personnel kept to a minimum, fabricators can pass on the cost savings to their customers.
Cost-effective
Although a CNC machine is more expensive than a traditional machine, its speed, efficiency and accuracy more than make up for the higher initial cost in the long run.

You can read more about the advantages of CNC machining in our news section.

Why choose Knees Engineering?

Knees Engineering has been fabricating metal for over 60 years.

During this time, we’ve developed a reputation for precision, professionalism and quality. Our combination of advanced machinery, highly skilled engineers and excellent customer service are just some of the reasons why businesses across the country trust us to take care of their fabrication needs.

Choose us for your next CNC machining job and you will benefit from:

A fully equipped workshop
Our factory is equipped with modern machinery and tools that allow us to deliver a reliable and high-quality service. A quick turnaround – We take a flexible approach to our production schedule, which usually means we can offer short lead times to minimise downtime for our customers.
Highly trained staff
Our experienced and highly skilled workforce have perfected every stage of the metal fabrication process. From cutting and bending to welding and machining, they pride themselves on delivering the best possible service.
Quality assurance guaranteed
We take quality very seriously and every job goes through our embedded quality assurance process during production to ensure it meets each customer’s specific requirements.
A complete end-to-end service
We can handle the entire fabrication process on your behalf, from design and manufacture right through to final finish. With no need to outsource, our ‘one-stop-shop’ service will save you time, hassle and money.

Get in touch today to arrange a free quote

We will be happy to talk you through our range of metal fabrication services to help you find the most suitable and cost-effective option for your needs.

01225 753894 info@kneesengineering.co.uk

Other services we can offer

At Knees Engineering we can perform a variety of other processes to meet your needs.

We offer a wide range of fabrication services including laser cutting, CNC punching, bending and forming and various welding techniques.

Explore

Laser Cutting

CNC Punching

CNC Bending & Forming

CNC Machining

Welding

CNC machining at Knees Engineering

Our CNC machining service

LEARN MORE

What is CNC machining?

Designing a CAD model

Converting the model into a CNC readable format

Setting up the machine

Performing the operation

More about CNC machining

Milling

Turning

Drilling

Consistent quality

Speed and efficiency

Less waste

Reduced labour costs

Cost-effective

A fully equipped workshop

Highly trained staff

Quality assurance guaranteed

A complete end-to-end service

Get in touch today to arrange a free quote

Other services we can offer