Workflow in the Shop - What it Takes to Make CNC Lathe Parts

The workflow varies from shop to shop, but we will breakdown what it might take to process a CNC lathe part.

1. Order received in the shop

2. Review of the part and print / team meeting

3. A work order / job routing is created

4. Material is ordered

5. Part is programmed in CAM software

6. The CNC Program is run through verification software

7. Special tooling is ordered

8. Material arrives in the shop

9. The CNC machine is setup

10. The program is ran with no material in the CNC lathe, this is called a dry run

11. If the program runs okay, the material is loaded in the CNC lathe

12. The rapid movements are turned down on the lathe, and the program is proved out with a skilled machinist

13. The machinist makes a part to print dimensions

14. The quality control department inspects the part

15. The machinist is given the okay, to make more parts in production

16. The machinist inspects parts based off the AQL (Acceptance Quality Limit) guidelines

17. The parts are finish machined

18. The parts are inspected by quality control

19. The parts are packaged

20. The parts are shipped

21. The work order is closed