CNC Milling

At Knees Engineering we provide cost-effective and high-quality CNC milling services to a wide range of organisations across the UK.

We regularly mill parts and components in a variety of materials including aluminium, stainless steel, copper, brass and plastic. Our flexible approach means we can also cater for one-off prototypes as well as small, medium and large production runs.

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.

Our customers include leading businesses from a range of industries such as oil and gas, seating systems, automotive and agriculture. You can read more about the customers we work with on our website.

If you’re looking for competitive and reliable CNC milling services in the Wiltshire area, then call us today to discuss your requirements. Our experienced team will be happy to answer any questions and provide a quote.

The CNC milling process

CNC milling goes through the same basic production processes as other types of CNC machining methods. These include:

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 finished design is then converted by CAM software into a CNC program that the machine can understand. The CNC program is essentially a set of codes that dictate the movements of the machine across the workpiece.

Setting up the machine

Before launching the program, the operator prepares the milling machine by affixing the workpiece and attaching the appropriate milling tools to the machine spindle.

Performing the cut

Once the machine is ready, the operator launches the program which then prompts the machine to perform the cuts.

What is CNC milling?

CNC milling is a popular machining process that uses a rotating multi-point cutting tool to remove material from the surface of a workpiece. It’s usually performed as a secondary process to add features such as holes, slots and contours to the workpiece.

In CNC (computer numerical control) milling, the movements of the cutting tool are controlled by pre-programmed computer software rather than by hand. The milling machine follows a coded set of instructions and then automatically mills the material to the desired specifications.

CNC milling has become increasingly popular over recent years thanks to its ability to cut detailed parts with exceptional precision.

How do CNC milling machines work?

A milling machine features a rotating multi-point cutting tool that moves along multiple axes to create slots, holes and details in the material.

With each pass of the cutting blade, material is progressively chipped away from the workpiece to create the desired part. The discarded material falls away in clumps and forms chips, also known as swarf.

There are a variety of different CNC milling machines available. Many operate on three to five axes and are capable of achieving high levels of precision and detail. Modern CNC machine centres even allow for both horizontal and vertical machining and come with a host of advanced features to ensure a smooth operation.

Milling machines can be used to create a variety of features including slots, chamfers, threads and pockets. Some of the most common CNC milling operations include:

Face milling
A process in which the milling cutter operates perpendicularly to the workpiece. It’s typically used to create flat surfaces and contours on the final part.
Plain milling
During plain milling, the axis of the cutting tool is parallel to the surface of the material being machined. Plain milling is sometimes referred to as surface or slab milling.
Angular milling
A process in which the cutting tool’s axis of rotation is at an angle to the workpiece. Angular milling is often used to create angular features such as grooves, chamfers and serrations.
Form milling
Form milling is used to create irregular and more complex surface contours, for example, concave and convex curves.

The benefits of CNC milling

CNC milling offers numerous benefits for both the manufacturer and the customer when compared to manual milling. Some of the advantages include:

Guaranteed precision
CNC milling machines can produce parts to very tight tolerances and are renowned for their high accuracy and precision.
Consistent quality
As parts are produced in the same way over and over again, every piece will match the prototype’s specifications exactly.
Speed and efficiency
CNC mills can perform the same task much faster than a human operating a manual machine. Plus, they can be programmed to run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, meaning large-scale production is possible.
Lower overheads
CNC milling machines require less supervision that manual mills, with one skilled engineer able to oversee several machines at any one time. The savings made through reduced labour costs can then be passed onto the customer.

Why choose Knees Engineering?

With more than 60 years of experience in the fabrication industry, Knees Engineering has built up a reputation for quality and professionalism.

Here are just some of the reasons to choose us for your next CNC milling or metal fabrication project:

Short lead times
We take a flexible approach to our production schedule, which usually means we can offer a quick turnaround to minimise downtime for our customers.
Highly trained staff
Our experienced and 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 your free quote

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

01225 753894 info@kneesengineering.co.uk

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

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CNC Milling

At Knees Engineering we provide cost-effective and high-quality CNC milling services to a wide range of organisations across the UK.

The CNC milling process

Designing a CAD model

Converting the model into a CNC readable format

Setting up the machine

Performing the cut

What is CNC milling?

Face milling

Plain milling

Angular milling

Form milling

Guaranteed precision

Consistent quality

Speed and efficiency

Lower overheads

Short lead times

Highly trained staff

Quality assurance guaranteed

A complete end-to-end service

Get in touch today to arrange your free quote

Other services we can offer