What Are Precision Parts?
Precision parts are metal, plastic, and composite parts that are designed and manufactured to your exact specifications that sometimes approach violating the laws of physics. These parts must be produced to meet tight tolerances, ensuring the part and its application function as desired. Precision machined parts are usually used in extremely demanding industries, such as defense, aerospace, and automotive industries.
How Precision Parts Are Created
Precision parts are created using CNC machining processes that are able to create complex parts with very tight tolerances.
CNC Milling
This process mounts a work material and uses a rotating tool to shape the product by removing material from the workpiece. There are three common types of CNC milling:
- 3-Axis Milling: The cutting tools move along the X-, Y-, and Z-axes to shape the tool as it moves. This process cuts sharp edges, drills holes, and performs boring and tapping operations.
- 4-Axis Milling: The tools in this process work to remove material along the X-, Y-, Z-, and A-axes. This milling technique is used to cut holes, cut along the arc, carve cut-outs on cylinders and to perform precision engravings, milling, and drilling.
- 5-Axis Milling: The tooling moves in two different directions — via translation along the X-, Y-, and Z-axes and rotation along the A- and C-axes. This process is used to create highly precise products and parts.
CNC Turning
During the CNC turning process, the workpiece is mounted and rotated rapidly while stationary tools remove parts of the material, creating the desired part, product, or tool. There are two types of turning we perform at Garland Service Company:
- Swiss Lathe: This process uses a collet and guide bushing to hold stock material in place as it is turned. The material is extremely secure during this process, meaning it is less likely to vibrate during manufacturing. This ensures that you can easily and accurately create thinner, precise, intricate parts with tight tolerances.
- CNC Lathe: This is a significantly more accurate process than manual or conventional lathes. CNC lathes are ideal for creating products with complex designs and tight tolerance needs.
Common Precision Machined Parts
Many critical industries require precision machined parts for their machinery and equipment to function properly and safely. Here are some of the most common precision machined parts for the aerospace, defense, and automotive industries.
Aerospace
Aircraft need to have functional, durable, safe precision parts to ensure they are safe for flight. Some common precision machined parts found in aircraft include:
- Engine and APU components
- Thermal management system parts
- Flight control equipment
- Battery components
- Lighting system parts
- Valves and sensors
- Electrical connectors and components
While this is not an exhaustive list of precision parts found in the aerospace industry, it shows just how important these parts are to every system within an aircraft.
Defense
Many components in the defense industry require tight tolerances and precision to ensure they function properly to keep the members of our military safe. Weapon, guidance, frame, and housing components all require precision machining to be safe and effective in their applications.
Automotive
Within the automotive industry, efficiency and safety are top priorities and precision parts ensure that both are achieved. Some common automotive components that are created through precision machining include:
- Engine, transmission, and battery components
- Radiators
- Lighting system parts
- Valves and sensors
- Electrical connectors and components
Again, while there are many more automotive precision parts, this shows just how crucial they are to the safety and performance of vehicles.
Create Your Precision Part With Garland Service Company
When you are looking for a trusted precision part manufacturer, turn to Garland Service Company. Our team has been manufacturing precision parts for various critical industries, meeting the requirements of their industries with ease.
If you are interested in our precision part machining services, contact our team today.
