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After the global shift to remote work in 2020, demand for home computers increased by over 10% worldwide. Tens of millions of computers are sold each year, and as a result, electronic components are in high demand by computer manufacturers.

CNC machining for electronics is a huge industry, and electronic components require high precision. Not only do electronics require parts like semiconductors and circuit boards, but also electrical connectors.

With all the tiny parts required to manufacture electronics, CNC machining for electrical connectors and parts is essential. Read on to learn the three things you should know about electronic component machining!

What is CNC?

CNC, or computer numerical code, is a machining process run by a computer. A specialist programs the computer to move the machine in specific patterns.

This process is ideal for electronic component manufacturing because of the precise and delicate shapes needed. A good example is a heat sink, which has crosscut fins that must be exact to function properly.

The electrical connector machining process is automated with CNC, reducing manual labor. However, a human machinist still has to program and set up the machine.

CNC machining is possible for early any solid material, but the most common materials for electronics are steel, brass, aluminum, and ABS plastic.

Common Types of CNC Machining for Electronics

There are upwards of twelve types of CNC machining across manufacturing industries. However, in a machine shop for electronics industry parts, the three main types of CNC machining are milling, lathes, and Swiss turning.

CNC Milling

In CNC milling, the electrical component or connector is attached to the bed, which moves back, forward, and side to side. The cutting tool moves up and down, allowing a part to be cut using three axes: X, Y, and Z.

In addition to 3-axis milling, precision machine shops also use 5-axis milling, which allows for even tighter tolerances. For the small and intricately shaped parts used for electronics, 5-axis CNC milling is precise with very little error.

CNC Lathe

With a CNC lathe, the machined part fits into a chuck and rotates at high speed. The cutting tools then move around the part to shape it.

Lathes are ideal for longer cylindrical parts such as electrical connectors and allow for up to 9-axis cutting. If you’re prototyping an electrical component, the first stage of manufacturing will likely take place on a lathe.

CNC Swiss Turning

As with a lathe, a Swiss turning machine spins the part at high speeds. In addition to spinning the part, the machine moves it back and forth against a stationary cutting tool.

With Swiss turning, the part experiences less force from the tool. This type of CNC machining is most commonly used for micromachining.

Micromachining

Micromachining is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a similar process to machining electronic parts using a CNC machine, but on a much smaller scale.

Often, the cutting tools used for micromachining are as small as 0.015 inches, and the electronic parts machined can be as little as 0.008 inches in diameter. Most micromachining is done using a Swiss turning machine, which allows for extremely tight tolerances.

In addition to precision machines, a detailed design is crucial to micromachining electronic components.

Precision Machined Parts for Your Business

CNC machining for electronics is the best way to produce the parts needed for electronics manufacturing. Electrical connector machining is a largely automated process using mills, lathes, and Swiss turning.

Whether you’re producing thousands of components or one prototype, Salco Global is the electronic component machine shop for you. Contact us today to learn how we can help you with your electrical machining needs!

The days of tedious, one-by-one mechanized CNC production are rapidly ending. As technology progresses faster and faster, the methods of machining you may be used to are quickly becoming obsolete in the face of other, more advanced methods. If you’re sticking to what’s worked in the past, we wouldn’t blame you – but if your’s is a business that relies heavily on mechanized production, or you’re a serial prototyper, we think you’ll enjoy the benefits of a modern, more advanced production pipeline.

At the top of the list of new innovations brought on by recent innovation, is automation. In this article, we’ll go over a few key reasons why automated CNC production is the way forward in high-precision CNC machine shops, and how our automation capabilities at Salco Global are already ahead of the curve.

Scalability

In the early days of CNC machining, machines had to essentially be babysat to ensure proper function, and so that machined parts could be manually assembled and/or swapped out for fresh, unworked materials once the machining finished. While still an innovation in itself at the time, by today’s standards it was slow, inefficient, and an all-around inferior process.

This resulted in lackluster scalability. The cost per unit machined rose substantially when the volume grew, as more and more people needed to attend to the machines and calibrate others.

With automated CNC production, these inefficiencies have become a thing of the past. CNC machines can automatically machine one in-progress component, then acquire another pre-worked component and do the same – no need for a person to swap out the component manually. Removing the need for constant human intervention, the scalability of CNC machining increases dramatically, resulting in a greatly reduced price per part at scale, not to mention the likewise increased efficiency of the CNC process.

Speed

With the increase in efficiency, it’s natural that an increase in speed will coincide. With production speed having triple the amount of time in a day to occur, think 24 hours vs. 8 hours,  your CNC production will have never been faster.

Gone are the days when CNC production had to be limited by the number of hours in a work day. With our fully-automated process that runs through all hours of the day, you can enjoy all the fruits of the CNC industry’s innovation at a fair rate.

Price

So far, we’ve discussed one key factor about automation more than the rest — the new ability to work without human intervention — and there’s good reason for that. With a fully automated CNC production line, not only do you receive your components faster than ever before, but you’ll get them cheaper than ever before as well. With far fewer man hours per part machined, we eliminate the costs that those hours would entail.

By taking those costs off, we can in essence deduct those costs from your bottom line. In non-automated machine shops, those excess man hours would be loaded off on to you, the client, meaning you’d be paying for more labor than is truly necessary. In an automated shop, less labor on our ends means more affordable components for you.

Micro machining is the use of CNC machines to produce small components that require extremely high precision. In airplane engineering, space technologies, and medical applications, there is zero room for error, and parts must fit together with absolute precision. In this article, we’ll go over the facets of micro machining and explain how it can benefit you, and who can benefit from it most.

What Is Micromachining?

Micromachining is the process of machining very small objects, using fine tools with diameters of less than 0.015 in. and extremely tight tolerances. In almost all machined products, it is an advantage if the parts fit together absolutely perfectly, but there are industries where there is no tolerance for error, which could lead to disaster.

In the aerospace industry for example, where it costs millions of dollars to launch each part into space, no one has the time, nor the budget, for second attempts – the tools and parts produced must be perfect, even when they are very small.

The manufacturing technology entails the subtractive production of objects or features with at least some of their dimensions in the micrometer range using mechanical micro tools with geometrically specified cutting edges.

What CNC Machines Are Used in Micromachining?

At Salco global micromachining is performed on our CNC Swiss Turning machines. Salco Global provides micromachining with extremely precise, state-of-the-art 3 to 5 axis CNC Swiss Turning capabilities. We specialize in sliding headstock CNC Swiss components with tight tolerances that meet or exceed client quality standards.

Salco’s Swiss turning styles enable us to pinch turns (rough and finish) at the same time, resulting in superior finishes, longer tool life, and reduced cycle times. The business has machined parts ranging in diameter from 0.008 to 0.015 inches in length, with tolerances as tight as 0.0001!

The Micromachining Process

• For a perfect result, thorough preparation is essential, which begins in the design phase.
• Once the plans are approved, a prototype is made, which is always necessary for quality assurance. One of the great advantages of CNC machining is that these prototypes can be produced quickly and easily modified if necessary.
• Once the prototype is proven and the final design is established, mass production can begin.

Who Uses Micromachining?

The key question is why this technology is needed. There are several technologies for prototyping and manufacturing high-precision parts, but CNC machining is the one that offers the greatest reliability and the highest precision. With little human intervention required, production can be done through the night in a process known as lights-out production, increasing efficiency and reducing overall production time.

The following industries rely on micro machining:

• Aerospace
• Automotive
• Communications
• Electronics
• Medical devices
• Other industries with state-of-the-art technological needs

Compliance with the standards ISO 9001 guarantees that Salco Global manufactures the hardware entrusted to us in the field of micromachining with the highest precision, regardless of the number of pieces.

If you need a micro machining service where even the smallest detail is manufactured with the utmost care, contact our Customer Success Team today. We’ll be happy to help you develop the right process, prototype, and then mass produce.

Thanks to steady technological innovation, the electronics industry is one of the most stable and dynamic industries. These days, more products than ever are enhanced by or defined by electronics in some way, and CNC electronics machining plays an important role in manufacturing the microchips that power those electronics. In this article, we’ll show you why we here at Salco are your best choice for a CNC electronics machining partner.

The electronics sector is one of the world’s largest and most powerful, and CNC-machined parts are used in much of its production – from professional high-tech equipment to consumer electronics. CNC machines can, for example, produce many of the metal and plastic components that hold your electronics together.

Industries that Utilize CNC Electronics Manufacturing

• • Printed circuit boards
  • Circuit board casings
  • Heatsinks
  • Connectors and sockets
  • Semiconductors

Why CNC Electronics Machining is the Best Choice

Many of the main ingredients in electronics are easy to work with via CNC machining.

Aluminum, for example, is extremely simple and easy to process with our machines, which is one of the primary reasons manufacturers choose us to produce their products. Our CNC machines can work aluminum quickly, affordably, and efficiently, which directly translates into savings for your business.

Greater flexibility and customization.

One of the biggest advantages of CNC machining is that your designs will be stored in a computer file. This not only allows you to make minute adjustments with ease, but allows you to produce many slight, yet different variations of your product quickly and efficiently – especially useful in the prototyping phase.

A wide variety of materials to work with.

No matter the medium, our CNC machines will work with unrivaled precision and speed. In the field of electronics, we here at Salco have experience working with aluminum, brass, stainless steel, plastic, and titanium for you to work with.

Round-the-clock production.

Thanks to Salco Global’s “lights out” CNC machining capabilities, our clients can enjoy the production 24/7 – even after our last employee has left the building. Thanks to our groundbreaking automation capabilities, our machines can run with minimal human input, allowing for an exceptionally fast design-to-production turnaround.

Extremely small margins of error.

Our CNC machines are almost immeasurably precise in comparison to a human. We regularly machine parts as small as .015 inches wide, with error tolerances of just 0.0001 inches, and there are no products that benefit more from such precision than electronics.

Perfect for prototyping and designing.

Salco’s CNC machining allows for the mass manufacturing of finely-detailed components like circuit boards, and many of our machining methods allow for large-scale component production. Salco’s processes make even the smallest changes quick and easy. This greatly increases prototyping efficiency and allows for more frequent testing.

If you are looking for the right CNC electronics machining partner for your business, contact our customer success team. We’ll be happy to answer any questions, show you the services Salco Global offers, and help you make the best decision for you and your firm.

 

We are often asked why working with us is worth it — what makes us different from other companies? Thanks to our consistent development, and always keeping our customers’ needs at the forefront of our minds, we have been able to constantly expand our capabilities. From prototyping to large CNC milling jobs, delivering high quality to our customers is paramount. In this article, we will show you why Salco Global is the best choice for you.

We Have Top Industry Accreditation

We have obtained the ISO 9001:2015 certification, which is a globally accepted standard that outlines the criteria for an outstanding quality management system (QMS). The standard is used by businesses to show that they can consistently deliver products and services that fulfill consumer and regulatory criteria.

Our company is a certified AS9100D CNC machine shop. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) produced a standard named “Quality Management Systems – Requirements for Aviation, Space, and Defense Organizations,” and this is what the AS9100D is based on.

Manufacturers, contractors, and suppliers who conduct business in the aerospace sector are eligible for this accreditation. The regulations place a large emphasis on preventing danger and the use of counterfeit components, as well as establishing a framework that allows organizations to adapt to change, prepare for obsolescence, and address product safety problems.

A Lights-Out Production Environment

Our customers may enjoy a lights-out production environment. We offer solutions that allow design and post-prototyping processes to be fully automated, eliminating the need for human intervention, ensuring that ordered components and parts are always of the highest quality.

The “lights-out” environment gets its name from the fact that the automation can run outside of normal business hours, even as long as 24 hours per day. Using fewer people means greater cost efficiency, which ultimately means we can provide you with considerably lower rates.

We Maintain Tolerances as Low as +/- .0001

Salco Global has state of the art CNC Swiss Turning capabilities, which range from three to nine axes. We specialize in precision sliding headstock CNC Swiss components with ultra-low tolerances that meet or exceed our clients’ quality expectations.

Because of our Swiss turning methods, we can pinch turn (rough and finish) at the same time, resulting in superior finishes, longer tool life, and lower cycle times. We also offer Swiss turning centers that can machine pieces as long as 32 inches. Our precision micromachining is unrivaled in the industry.

We’ve machined items ranging in size from 0.008 in diameter to 0.015 in length, with 0.0001 tolerances. This high level of precision allows us to produce our parts with even greater precision than the aerospace industry calls for.

Fast Turnaround Times Even With an Extremely High Volume

Thanks to our lights-out environment, we are available up to 24 hours a day, every day of the year. In addition, thanks to our extensive CNC machine shop and turning machine park, we can deliver quantities of up to 250,000 components on short notice.

Over Three Decades of Experience in the Industry

We founded Salco Global in 1985 with the goal of developing the lowest-tolerance machines in the business. Our CNC machine shop prioritizes staff training and retention, so our years of expertise show in our speed, precision, clear communication, and can-do attitude.

Contact our customer success team if you want the best CNC machine shop services available — we would be happy to assist you!

CNC turning and milling may appear to be the same to someone who isn’t familiar with the technique. After all, the procedures appear to be extremely similar and produce comparable effects. Understanding the differences between CNC turning and milling, on the other hand, can help you choose which approach is appropriate for your project, thus saving you time and money. In this article, we are going to cover the differences, so if you stay with us, you will be an expert on the topic.

 

What is CNC Turning?

 

The turning method is frequently used to create objects with symmetrical and cylindrical characteristics. A single-point cutting tool is positioned against the spinning workpiece to remove material while the material is held in a chuck and spun at high speeds. For high-volume runs, turning operations on a CNC lathe may be quite efficient. The inclusion of a bar feeder can assist automate the operation and reducing the machinist’s human labor.

CNC turning is generally used to make cylindrical pieces, as previously stated. Shafts, unique hollow tubes, conical forms, and any other axially symmetric item can be used. While 5-axis machining may also be used to make cylindrical items, turning is more efficient and has a cheaper hourly cost.

What is CNC Milling?

 

A milling procedure will most likely be employed when an item does not have critical cylindrical characteristics. A revolving cutter travels around the work item removing material while it is held stationary. To machine the different sides on a 2 or 3 axis CNC milling device, the workpiece must be manually turned. To create complicated curves and forms, a 4 or 5 axis machine may automatically rotate the workpiece or spindle.

The original block’s dimensions are typically bigger than the end part’s overall size. As a result, precise machining is achievable on both sides. Because the tolerances are so close, achieving an excellent surface polish is simple.

 

What Are The Most Important Differences Between The Two Methods?

 

The different characteristic between CNC turning and CNC milling is whether the machine or the raw material moves. The material is maintained in place as the cutting tools spin around it in CNC milling procedures. CNC turning, on the other hand, necessitates the tools remaining in the same position while the material is rotated at a high rate to get the desired form.

 

Although this is a simplified explanation, the processes are far more complex than they appear. Here are a few additional ways in which CNC turning and CNC milling differ:

 

• CNC milling is excellent for cutting flat and uneven surfaces, whereas CNC turning is mostly utilized for cylindrical or conical surfaces.
• Cutting tool features include a single point for CNC turning and a multi-point for milling.
• CNC turning entails continuous cutting, with the tool being in contact with the workpiece at all times. Intermittent cutting is used in CNC milling when the cutting teeth engage and disengage from the raw material regularly.

Ultimately, whether to mill or turn an item relies on its design and qualities. Milling will be used for the majority of big, square, or flat items with features. Turning will be used for the majority of cylindrical items with features.

 

If you are currently planning the production of your first prototype or the mass production of your product, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We are happy to help you decide which CNC machine has the matching capabilities for your project.

 

CNC machining is one of the top industry methods to produce high-quality product parts when it comes to precision, integrity, and high-speed manufacturing. In addition to companies in the ICT, IT, and aerospace sectors, the medical industry is also among the major consumers of CNC cutting services. In this article, we will look at how precision CNC machining for medical components is done and the benefits it can bring to your business.

 

What is Precision CNC Machining for Medical Components?

The medical industry is known for its low susceptibility to error. In this industry, human lives are at stake, and small errors can cause major health problems or even death. Thus, the machining process for medical parts production must be designed for precision measurements and tight tolerances. When it comes to meeting these requirements, CNC machining is the best option.

 

In CNC or Computerized Numerical Control, the production steps are guided and monitored by highly accurate design plans, and the CNC machine constantly compares the data and adjusts the production process if necessary. A machining center is a multi-function device that includes a combined lathe and milling machine. The combination of several CNC machines results in a complete Medical Device Machine Shop.

 

 

During the process, the team of highly experienced professionals uses laser/electron beam welding, laser cutting, plastic injection molding, metal injection molding, casting, or coating & plating to create medical device parts as small as 0.008 in diameter.

 

What Benefits Does CNC Machining for Medical Components Offer?

 

• Suitable for a wide range of materials: medical materials must meet very strict requirements for durability, safety, and cleanliness. For example, many joint replacements are made of high-quality stainless steel or titanium, which are incredibly strong, flexible, and functional.
• There is no quantity limit: any number of components can be produced in a very short time once the required design file has been created. This can be a huge advantage when it comes to making custom one-off parts, such as medical devices, appliances, and prosthetics.
• When there is no room for error: On a good CNC machine, it’s easy to meet the tight tolerances required for sophisticated medical devices. CNC machining allows for excellent surface finish and integrity throughout the product line, which is critical to high-quality standards in the medical industry.
• Fast turnaround: Medical Device Machine Shop’s services allow them to quickly produce the right prototypes and then move on to mass production

 

Salco Global’s Extensive Experience Providing Precision Medical Machining Services

 

At Salco Global, we design and manufacture our parts to consistently meet our customers’ quality expectations. We strive for quality, precision, and continuous improvement in every part we manufacture. The components we manufacture, the components we assemble, and the products we produce are supplied to customers all over the world. 

 

We have extensive experience in supplying medical industry customers with parts or complete products, including closure, bypass, endoscopic, orthopedic, skin stapling devices, and custom medical solutions. If your company requires high-quality, precision-manufactured medical devices or parts, please call or email us, and our customer support team will be happy to assist you.