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CNC Turning Aluminum Chess Pieces on SZGH-36J CNC Lathe| Application Case

Why Use One Tool for Aluminum Chess Piece Turning? Using a single tool throughout the machining process offers several practical advantages: Reduced tool change time Lower tooling cost Consistent tool reference position Improved surface continuity Simplified CNC programming

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Product Description

CNC Turning Aluminum Chess Pieces on SZGH-36J CNC Lathe| Application Case

Application Background of Aluminum Chess Piece CNC Turning

Aluminum chess pieces are typical small turned components used in decorative products, premium chess sets, and customized metal crafts.

Although the part size is relatively small, end users usually require:

Smooth surface finish
Consistent outer diameter profile
Stable batch-to-batch accuracy
Efficient production with minimal tooling complexity

This application case demonstrates how an aluminum chess piece is machined on the SZGH-36J CNC lathe, using only one cutting tool to complete the entire turning process, including rough machining, finish machining, and parting-off.

Rather than focusing on theoretical machining methods, this case is based on a real production process, showing how stable machining is achieved under practical shop-floor conditions.

Workpiece & Material Information

Workpiece: Aluminum chess piece
Material: Aluminum alloy
Machining type: CNC turning
Main operations:

Outer diameter turning

Profile turning

Parting-off

Tooling: Single turning tool
Machine: SZGH-36J CNC Lathe

The workpiece features multiple diameter sections and smooth contour transitions, which places higher demands on feed stability and surface continuity during turning.

Machining Challenges in Aluminum Chess Piece Turning

From an engineering perspective, this part presents several typical challenges in aluminum turning:

1.Multiple profile segments

The chess piece includes stepped and curved outer diameters, requiring frequent feed changes and precise path control.

2.Surface finish requirements

As a decorative component, even minor tool marks or feed inconsistencies are visually unacceptable.

3.Single-tool machining strategy

Using only one tool reduces setup complexity but increases the need for long, continuous cutting stability.

4.Parting-off stability

For small aluminum parts, parting-off is often the most vibration-sensitive operation.

To ensure stable results, the machining process and machine capabilities must work together as a complete system.

CNC Turning Process on SZGH-36J CNC Lathe

Step 1: Segmented Rough Turning

The process begins with segmented rough turning along the outer diameter.

Material is removed in controlled sections
Cutting depth is managed to maintain stable cutting forces
Aluminum chips are evacuated smoothly

From an engineering standpoint, segmented roughing helps prevent sudden load changes and reduces the risk of vibration during initial material removal.

Stable spindle performance and consistent feed response are essential at this stage to ensure a uniform rough profile for subsequent finishing.

Step 2: Segmented Finish Turning

After rough turning, the same tool is used for segmented finish turning.

Each profile section is finished individually
Feed rate transitions are carefully controlled
Surface roughness is significantly improved

This step places higher demands on feed smoothness and axis response, as frequent acceleration and deceleration occur between profile segments.

Smooth interpolation and stable servo control help prevent visible tool marks and surface discontinuities.

Step 3: Overall Finish Turning

Once all segments are finished, an overall finishing pass is applied across the entire contour.

The tool follows the complete outer profile in one continuous path
Minor step marks between segments are eliminated
Dimensional consistency is further refined

For decorative aluminum parts, this overall finishing step is critical in achieving a visually uniform surface.

Long, continuous tool paths require reliable motion control and stable machine rigidity to maintain accuracy from start to end.

Step 4: Parting-Off Operation

Finally, the workpiece is separated using the same tool.

Stable parting-off without chatter
Clean cutting surface
High repeatability for continuous production

Parting-off is often the most sensitive operation in small-part turning.

Machine rigidity and spindle stability play a key role in preventing vibration and ensuring a clean cut.

Why Use One Tool for Aluminum Chess Piece Turning?

Using a single tool throughout the machining process offers several practical advantages:

Reduced tool change time

Lower tooling cost

Consistent tool reference position

Improved surface continuity

Simplified CNC programming

However, this strategy also requires the CNC lathe to maintain stable performance over long, uninterrupted cutting paths.

In this application, the combination of controlled cutting parameters and reliable machine behavior allows the single-tool approach to be used effectively.

Performance of SZGH-36J CNC Lathe in This Application

In this aluminum chess piece application, the SZGH-36J CNC lathe demonstrates:

Stable cutting performance in aluminum

Smooth spindle operation at high speed

Reliable control of fine turning paths

Excellent repeatability for batch production

The machine is well-suited for small to medium-sized aluminum turning applications, especially where surface quality and efficiency are required.

Typical Applications for Similar Aluminum Turned Parts

This machining method and machine setup can also be applied to:

Decorative aluminum parts

Metal chess pieces

Small turned aluminum components

Custom consumer products

Gift and craft metal parts

Conclusion: Stable CNC Turning Solution for Aluminum Parts

This application case demonstrates how an aluminum chess piece can be efficiently machined on the SZGH-36J CNC lathe using a single cutting tool, from segmented rough turning to final finishing and parting-off.

By focusing on the actual machining process and engineering considerations, this solution helps end users achieve: