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Arbor CNC Milling Service
Are you looking for a way to make parts faster and better? Arbor CNC milling might be just what you need! This special type of machining helps make complex parts quickly. Let’s learn all about it!
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20+ Years
Istar Machining's years in the industry
300,000 square feet
The size of Istar Machining's factory
856 CNC machines
Our CNC equipment count
2000+ skilled workers
Istar's number of skilled machinists/operators
What Is Arbor CNC Milling?
Arbor CNC milling uses a special rod (called an arbor) to hold cutting tools. The arbor spins fast while a computer controls how it moves. This helps make perfect cuts in metal, plastic, and other materials.
What makes it special? We can put multiple tools on one arbor! This means you can do rough cuts and smooth finishing all at once. It’s like having many workers doing different jobs at the same time.
How It Works
When we use CNC milling services, the machine follows a computer program to make precise cuts. With arbor milling, the cutting happens on a horizontal setup instead of a vertical one.
Here’s how it works:
- The arbor(metal rod) holds one or more cutting tools
- The machine spins the arbor very fast (up to 15,000 RPM)
- The computer moves either the tool or the material being cut
- Coolantsprays on the cutting area to keep things from getting too hot
This setup is perfect for making parts with flat surfaces and deep pockets.
Types of Arbors
Arbor Type | Details | Best Used For | Speed Range |
MT1, MT2, MT3 | Morse taper connection | Small to medium jobs | 5,000-10,000 RPM |
R8 Taper | Common in many mills | General purpose work | 8,000-12,000 RPM |
ISO 40/50 | Industrial standard | Heavy-duty production | 8,000-15,000 RPM |
HSK63 | Quick-change system | High-speed machining | 10,000-15,000 RPM |
The right arbor type depends on what we are making and how big your part is. At Istar Machining, we help you pick the best setup for your project.
Benefits of Arbor CNC Milling
Why choose arbor milling over other types? Here are the big benefits:
- Faster Production: Cut material 30% fasterthan with vertical mills
- Better Finish: Makes smoother surfaces with less tool marks
- Longer Tool Life: Tools last longer because of better chip removal
- More Stable: Less vibration means more precise parts
- Multiple Operations: Can do roughing and finishing in one setup
One of our customers made helicopter rotor hubs and cut their production time in half by switching to arbor milling!
Technical Specs of Arbor CNC Milling
- Work Size: Most machines handle parts up to 40″ x 20″ x 25″
- Spindle Power: 15-50 HP motors for different materials
- Coolant System: High-pressure (200+ PSI) for better chip evacuation
- Control System: Fanuc, Siemens, or Haas computer controls
- Tool Changing: Automatic systems for non-stop production
Our 5-axis machining centers combine these features with multi-directional movement for complex parts.
Materials and Their Best Uses
Different materials are better for different jobs. Our CNC milling capabilities allow us to work with a wide range of materials to meet your specific project needs. Here’s what works best:
Metals
Aluminum
Stainless Steel
Mild Steel
Alloy Steel
Brass
Titanium
Copper
Aluminum
Aluminum (Common Grades: 6061, 7075, 5052, 2024) is lightweight, corrosion-resistant, has excellent thermal and electrical conductivity, and is very machinable.
Good for:
- Housings and enclosures
- Jigs, fixtures, and tooling
- Automotive and aerospace components
- Heat sinks and thermal management parts
- Manifolds and fluid handling blocks
- High-speed prototypes
Why customers love it: “It provides an outstanding balance of strength, weight, machinability, and cost-effectiveness, making it versatile for countless prototyping and production applications.”
Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel (Common Grades: 303, 304, 316, 17-4 PH) offers excellent corrosion resistance, high strength, durability, and is easily cleanable/sterilizable. Machinability varies by grade.
Good for:
- Medical devices and surgical instruments
- Food processing equipment
- Marine hardware and components
- Chemical processing parts
- Architectural fittings
- High-wear components
Why customers love it: “Its superior corrosion resistance and strength make it ideal for harsh environments and applications requiring longevity and hygiene.”
Mild Steel
Mild Steel (Low Carbon Steel) (Common Grades: 1018, 1020, A36) is a cost-effective ferrous metal known for its good machinability, weldability, and strength. It requires finishing (like plating or painting) to prevent rust.
Good for:
- Structural components and frames
- Jigs and fixtures
- Machine parts and brackets
- General fabrication
- Weldments
Why customers love it: “Offers great strength and versatility at a lower cost compared to stainless or alloy steels, perfect for general engineering applications.”
Alloy Steel
Alloy Steel (Common Grades: 4140, 4340) contains additional alloying elements (like chromium, molybdenum, nickel) enhancing properties like hardness, toughness, and wear resistance compared to mild steel. Often heat-treated for optimal performance.
Good for:
- Gears, shafts, and axles
- Tooling and dies
- High-strength fasteners
- Automotive and machinery components
- Parts requiring high toughness and fatigue strength
Why customers love it: “Provides enhanced mechanical properties over standard steels, suitable for more demanding, high-stress applications.”
Brass
Brass (Common Grades: C360 – Free Machining Brass) is a copper-zinc alloy known for its exceptional machinability, good corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity, and attractive gold-like appearance.
Good for:
- Fittings, valves, and plumbing components
- Electrical connectors and terminals
- Decorative hardware
- Musical instrument parts
- Low-friction applications (bushings)
Why customers love it: “It’s one of the easiest metals to machine, allowing for fast cycle times and excellent surface finishes, ideal for intricate parts.”
Titanium
Titanium (Common Grades: Grade 2, Grade 5 – Ti-6Al-4V) boasts an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, outstanding corrosion resistance (especially to saltwater), and biocompatibility. It is more challenging and costly to machine.
Good for:
- Aerospace structural components
- Medical implants and devices
- High-performance automotive parts
- Marine hardware exposed to seawater
- Chemical processing equipment
Why customers love it: “Unbeatable strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance make it the choice for critical high-performance and biocompatible applications.”
Copper
Copper (Common Grades: C101 – OFHC, C110 – ETP) is primarily valued for its outstanding electrical and thermal conductivity. It is soft, ductile, and has good corrosion resistance but can be ‘gummy’ to machine.
Good for:
- Heat sinks and heat exchangers
- Electrical contacts, connectors, and busbars
- Plumbing fittings
- Electromagnetic shielding components
- Artistic and architectural elements
Why customers love it: “Its superior electrical and thermal conductivity is unmatched for applications requiring efficient energy transfer.”
Plastics
ABS
Polycarbonate (PC)
Nylon (PA)
Acetal (POM / Delrin®)
PEEK
Acrylic (PMMA)
UHMW PE
ABS
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is a common thermoplastic known for its toughness, impact resistance, rigidity, and ease of machining and finishing (gluing, painting).
Good for:
- Enclosures for electronics
- Functional prototypes
- Automotive interior parts
- Consumer product housings
- Piping and fittings
Why customers love it: “A versatile and affordable all-rounder plastic, great for prototyping and parts requiring good impact strength.”
Polycarbonate (PC)
Polycarbonate (PC) (Common Trade Names: Lexan®, Makrolon®) is a strong, impact-resistant, and transparent thermoplastic with good temperature resistance.
Good for:
- Machine guards and safety shields
- Clear covers and windows
- Medical device components
- Automotive lighting components
- Durable prototypes
Why customers love it: “Offers exceptional toughness and optical clarity, making it ideal for applications needing high impact resistance and visibility.”
Nylon (PA)
Nylon (PA) (Common Grades: Nylon 6, Nylon 6/6) is known for its excellent wear resistance, high toughness, good chemical resistance, and relatively high strength. It can absorb moisture, affecting dimensional stability.
Good for:
- Gears, bearings, and bushings
- Wear pads and strips
- Rollers and wheels
- Structural components
- Textile machinery parts
Why customers love it: “Excellent choice for moving parts due to its low friction and high wear resistance, especially in unlubricated applications.”
Acetal (POM / Delrin®)
Acetal (POM) (Common Trade Name: Delrin®) is an engineering thermoplastic characterized by its high stiffness, low friction, excellent dimensional stability, fatigue endurance, and great machinability leading to smooth finishes.
Good for:
- Precision gears and bearings
- Bushings and rollers
- Electrical insulation components
- Fuel system components
- Parts requiring tight tolerances
Why customers love it: “Machines beautifully to tight tolerances and offers great mechanical properties with low friction, ideal for precision mechanical parts.”
PEEK
PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone) is a high-performance thermoplastic with exceptional mechanical strength, stiffness, chemical resistance, wear resistance, and performance at high temperatures. It is more expensive and challenging to machine.
Good for:
- Aerospace components
- Medical implants and devices (biocompatible grades)
- Semiconductor processing parts
- Downhole oil & gas components
- High-temperature bearings and seals
Why customers love it: “The ultimate choice for extreme environments requiring high strength, temperature resistance, and chemical inertness.”
Acrylic (PMMA)
Acrylic (PMMA) (Common Trade Names: Plexiglas®, Lucite®) is known for its excellent optical clarity, weather resistance, rigidity, and wide range of color options. It’s more brittle than Polycarbonate but easier to polish.
Good for:
- Displays and signage
- Light pipes and lenses
- Transparent covers and housings
- Architectural models
- Cosmetic components
Why customers love it: “Offers glass-like clarity and brilliance with easier fabrication and lighter weight, perfect for visual and display applications.”
UHMW PE
UHMW PE (Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) is recognized for its extremely high abrasion resistance, impact strength, low coefficient of friction, and good chemical resistance. Its softness can make precision machining challenging.
Good for:
- Wear strips and chain guides
- Liners for chutes and hoppers
- Star wheels and conveyor components
- Impact bumpers
- Low-friction sliding parts
Why customers love it: “Incredible wear and abrasion resistance make it last extremely long in high-wear, low-friction applications.”
CNC Products Produced by Istar Machining
Common Applications
Arbor CNC milling is used in many industries:
Arbor vs. Other Milling Methods
How does arbor milling compare to other types?
- Vertical Milling: Arbor milling removes material 30% fasterand is better for large, flat surfaces
- End Milling: Can use multiple cutters at once instead of just one
- Face Milling: Better for long, continuous cuts across wide areas
At Istar Machining, we offer both vertical milling and arbor milling to handle any type of project.
Reasons for getting the best results
We follow these tips so we can get the best results from arbor CNC milling:
- Use Climb Milling: Cut in the same direction as the spindle rotation when possible
- Match Feed to Speed: Find the right balance of cutting speed and feed rate
- Check Arbor Alignment: Make sure everything is straight before starting
- Use Proper Coolant: Keep tools cool for longer life and better finishes
- Secure Workpieces Firmly: Prevent movement during cutting
Why Choose Istar Machining
As a top 5 CNC machining factory in China, Istar Machining provides:
High-Precision Arbor Milling
Accuracy down to ±0.0002" (5 µm)
Quick Turnaround
Fast delivery on both prototypes and production runs
Material Expertise
Experience with all common engineering materials
Quality Assurance
Every part inspected to meet exact specifications
Competitive Pricing
Cost-effective manufacturing without quality compromise
Get Started Today
Ready to use arbor CNC milling for your next project? Here’s how to get started:
- Send us your design: CAD files or drawings
- Get a free quote: Usually within 24 hours
- Approve production: We’ll start after your go-ahead
- Receive perfect parts: Delivered to your door
Contact Istar Machining today to learn more about our arbor CNC milling capabilities and how they can help with your manufacturing needs!
Send Us Your Design
CAD files or drawings
Get a Free Quote
Usually within 24 hours
Approve Production
3.We'll start after your go-ahead
Receive Perfect Parts
Delivered to your door
Frequently Asked Question
The key difference is that arbor CNC milling uses a horizontal rod (arbor) that can hold multiple cutting tools simultaneously. This often allows for faster material removal, especially on wide, flat surfaces, compared to typical vertical milling which usually uses one tool at a time in a vertical orientation.
Arbor milling can be faster primarily because multiple cutting tools can be mounted on the same arbor, allowing different operations (like roughing and finishing) or wider cuts to happen in a single pass. This setup is also very stable, permitting more aggressive cutting speeds and feeds, leading to up to 30% faster production compared to some vertical milling methods.
This method is particularly well-suited for parts requiring large flat surfaces, deep pockets, or grooves. It’s commonly used for components in industries like aerospace (engine parts), automotive (transmission housings, engine blocks), medical (implant molds), and energy (turbine components).
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