JLCCNC Blog

Surface Finishing Processes

How to choose between Laser marking and UV printing?

Choosing between laser marking and UV printing for CNC machining service depends on various factors, including the specific requirements of your project. Here are some considerations to help you make an informed decision: (Left: Laser Marking/Right：UV Printing) Material Compatibility: Laser Marking: Works well on a wide range of materials, including metals, plastics, ceramics, and more. It provides high precision and is suitable for detailed markings. UV Printing: Works well on a wide range of materia......

Dec 29, 2023

Sheet Metal Fabrication

Metal Punching Process: Sheet Metal Punching, Clearance & Force Guide

(AI generated) CNC machine performing a metal punching process on sheet metal during a punching operation in a fabrication workshop. Metal punching is a sheet metal fabrication process that uses a punch and die to shear holes or shapes into sheet metal through mechanical force. The metal punching process is widely used for producing repetitive holes, ventilation patterns, and cutouts in high-volume manufacturing. Spend ten minutes on the floor of a high-speed shop and you’ll notice that not all holes ......

Mar 12, 2026

Surface Finishing Processes

Vapor Polishing for CNC Machined Plastics: Process, Materials, and Applications

In plastic CNC machining, parts are typically milled, drilled, or turned to precise dimensions. However, tool marks and a matte surface often remain. In transparent plastics (e.g., acrylic or polycarbonate), these marks reduce optical clarity and surface quality. That’s where vapor polishing comes into play. It smooths CNC-machined parts using controlled solvent vapors. The vapor temporarily softens the outer polymer layer, allowing the surface to reflow and minimize machining marks. This improves sur......

Mar 12, 2026

Tools & Cutting Instruments

Jig vs Fixture: Key Differences and Applications in Machining

(AI generated) Drilling jig with guide bushings and CNC machining fixture holding a metal workpiece on a machine shop workbench. If you ask three machinists to explain the difference between jigs and fixtures, you’ll likely get three different answers. It’s one of those things that gets mixed up constantly, especially by anyone who isn’t actually standing at the machine. But when you’re planning a setup, that distinction becomes critical. How you hold a part changes everything: alignment, repeatabilit......

Mar 11, 2026

CNC Machining Fundamentals

Pocket Milling in CNC Machining: Definition, Toolpaths, and Best Practices

(AI generated) CNC machined metal part with a precision pocket cavity on a workshop workbench. In most machine shops, similar pocket features appear across many different parts. Flat stock goes into the mill, and a few minutes later, there’s a clean, precise cavity cut into it. That cavity might hold electronics, reduce weight, house a bearing, or simply remove unnecessary material. That process is pocket milling, and despite looking simple on the surface, it’s one of the operations where strategy, to......

Mar 09, 2026

Sheet Metal Fabrication

MAG Welding: Process, Advantages, MIG Comparison, and Applications

(AI generated) MAG welding process on steel sheet metal using active shielding gas in an industrial fabrication workshop The MAG welding (Metal Active Gas welding) process uses a continuously fed wire electrode and an active shielding gas that participates in the arc chemistry, which distinguishes it from other welding processes. The active shielding gas distinguishes MAG welding from MIG welding, contributing to its superior performance on carbon steels and low-alloy steels. MAG welding is widely use......

Feb 09, 2026