At EDJ Precision Machine, we take great pride in providing a finished product with minimal machining error. The degree of error is a huge facet in the machining industry. Learn why it’s such an important element for accuracy and client satisfaction.

Seattle Machining Error Explained

Machining error refers to the difference between the required geometric parameter and the actual parameter. For example, the machining process may require boring a hole into a metal sheet. When complete, how close is the diameter of the hole to the diameter specified by the client? 

Accuracy and Tolerance

The smaller the error the higher the accuracy. Another associated industry term is “tolerance.” This refers to the degree of error allowed, which differs widely between industries and individual clients. Regardless, tolerance needs to be an absolute minimum for the best accuracy rate. 

How to Minimize Error

The industry is constantly devising new methods, services, and technologies to keep error margins to a minimum. The following methodologies are employed for achieving the highest possible accuracy:

• Positional accuracy – We position the workpiece to ensure precise placement on the machine tool. Computer-designated specifications make accurate positioning far more precise.
• Tool of geometric error – Lathes and milling machines incur wear during the cutting process. We ensure tools and attachments are consistently inspected, refined, and/or replaced as needed.
• Tool stiffness – Some tools and attachments may stiffen during use. The industry is coming up with new methodologies and technology to reduce tool stiffness.

Precision Is Our Priority

Precision is literally in our company name. Various industries all over Seattle come to us for custom parts for their niche-specific machines and equipment. Contact us at EDJ Precision Machine to acquire workpieces drilled, sawed, grinded, or milled to highly accurate and precise specifications. We employ the latest industry technology and practice to keep machining error to an absolute minimum. 

We Reduce Machining Error in Seattle

Serving the Puget Sound region including Everett, Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, Bellingham, Marysville, Snohomish, Bothell, Mount Vernon, Lynnwood, Kent, Renton, Federal Way, Auburn, Redmond, Kirkland, Woodinville & Issaquah

Posted on August 25, 2021 | Published by Ignite Local | Related Local Business

Drilling and boring are two common machining processes. Many people think they’re interchangeable. Don’t they both entail creating a hole in a piece of metal, wood, or other material? The two processes are indeed similar but have key differences. 

What Is Drilling?

Drilling is the more common of the two terms. It’s the process of creating a cylindrical hole, or cavity, using a rotating cutting tool. Drilling may also be used to increase the depth of an existing hole. As long as the drill bit is harder than the material being drilled, you can drill into any surface, including stainless steel. The common handheld power drill comes to mind. However, commercial drilling tools include far more powerful drilling presses and horizontal/vertical milling machines.

What Is Boring?

When boring, the aim is to enlarge the diameter of an existing hole. In this sense, drilling may be done beforehand to create the hole, with the hole then bored to increase the diameter. Aside from increasing hole diameter, boring may also be done to convert a cylindrical hole into a tapered hole. Boring is often done using a number of modern machineries, such as a lathe or a boring mill.

What About Reaming?

Though this post is about drilling and boring, there’s also a third similar process known as reaming. A tool called a reamer removes material from an existing hole to smooth out the interior wall. Reaming is done to improve the dimensional accuracy or tolerance level of a drilled hole.

We Perform Precise Drilling and Boring in Everett

We serve various industries and perform drilling and boring to provide precise metal parts. Contact EDJ Precision Machine to acquire custom parts for your place of business. We’ll determine whether your personalized part requires drilling, boring, or both.

Drilling and Boring to Precision in Everett

Serving the Puget Sound region including Everett, Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, Bellingham, Marysville, Snohomish, Bothell, Mount Vernon, Lynnwood, Kent, Renton, Federal Way, Auburn, Redmond, Kirkland, Woodinville & Issaquah

Posted on July 22, 2021 | Published by Ignite Local | Related Local Business

While milling and turning are both cut and shape metal and other solid materials, there’s a significant difference between the two.

Milling

A milling machine removes material from a workpiece that’s held stationary while rotating cutting tools move around it to shape it into desired dimensions.

Turning (Lathing)

Turning, also known as lathing, involves the use of a stationary cutting tool that removes material from a spinning workpiece that’s pressed against the tool to shape it (the workpiece) into desired dimensions. So, the cutting tool does the moving in a milling machine, but remains stationary in a turning machine, or lathe.

Respective Applications

Both milling and turning machines are designed to remove material from a workpiece to create a desired shape or form, and depending on what’s being produced, the machinist will choose one method over the other. Milling machines tend to be more versatile, with dozens of attachments and specialty cutting tools. Capable of creating more complex shapes and dimensions than a turning machine (lathe), a milling machine would be used to creating an intricate piece like an auto intake manifold.

Turning is often the preferred method for crafting cylindrical parts. Especially the case when projects require custom cylindrical pieces produced in quantity, turning is fast and more automatic, requiring less operator intervention. An automotive crankshaft would be better made by turning than milling.

Expert Milling and Turning in Everett

If you need custom machining or manufacturing in the western Washington area, contact the milling and turning pros at EDJ Precision Machine in Everett. Serving greater Puget Sound industry for over 40 years, we can provide precision prototyping or low or high volume manufacturing you need.

Precision Milling and Turning From Bellingham to Tacoma

Serving Puget Sound, Everett, Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, Bellingham, Marysville, Snohomish, Bothell, Mount Vernon, Lynnwood, Kent, Renton, Federal Way, Auburn, Redmond, Kirkland, Woodinville & Issaquah