JLCCNC Blog

CNC Machining Fundamentals

CNC Workholding: Methods, Best Practices, and Engineering Decisions

CNC workholding refers to the methods used to position and secure a part during machining. It directly affects part dimensions, alignment, and surface finish. In practice, machining errors are rarely caused by the toolpath alone. More often, they originate from poor part positioning, uneven clamping, or material deformation under cutting forces. For operations requiring tight tolerances, like ±0.01 mm, a stable and properly designed workholding setup is just as important as the machine’s spindle accur......

Feb 24, 2026

CNC Machining Fundamentals

CNC Backlash Explained: Causes, Measurement & Repair Guide

Backlash is the free movement in a CNC axis that occurs when motion reverses direction. It appears as a short delay between motor rotation and actual table or tool movement. This delay results in positioning errors and dimensional inaccuracy. Generally, in CNC machining, backlash develops in ball screws, lead screws, gears, thrust bearings, and couplings due to normal wear. It can also result from loose mounting, incorrect adjustment, poor lubrication, crashes, and long-term heavy cutting. Even slight......

Feb 24, 2026

CNC Machining Fundamentals

Boring Machining: CNC Boring for Precision Holes, Tolerances & Best Practices

Boring machining is a precision cutting process used to enlarge and true existing holes to tight size and alignment tolerances. It is typically performed after drilling when diameter accuracy, straightness, concentricity, and surface finish must meet functional requirements. With proper tooling, spindle stability, and setup, CNC boring can typically achieve tolerances around ±0.01 mm, and tighter results may be possible with fine boring tools and good thermal control. Surface finishes can also be suit......

Feb 09, 2026

CNC Machining Fundamentals

Gear Machining: CNC Gear Cutting Processes, Accuracy Control, and Industrial Applications

(AI generated) Gear hobbing process generating gear teeth on a steel gear blank using a CNC hobbing machine A gear does not only need to meet nominal dimensional requirements. A gear has to carry a load smoothly and operate quietly at speed without causing accelerated wear or damage over millions of load cycles. Gear machining is a precision manufacturing process that produces gears by cutting, refining, and finishing tooth geometry to ensure predictable load behavior, controlled accuracy, and long-te......

Feb 12, 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

Plastics for CNC

Plastic CNC Machining: Guide to Materials, Machines & Cutting Strategies

Understanding Plastic CNC Machining When most people think of CNC machining, metals come to mind first, aluminum, steel, titanium. But plastic CNC machining has quietly creeped into many industries. Why? Because plastics are lightweight, versatile, and cost-effective, making them an ideal option for places where the best performance is needed on the best budget. CNC for plastic is now as common as CNC for metal. At JLCCNC, we don't just work with metals, we also provide CNC machining of plastic parts ......

Sep 03, 2025