Milling and welding are two essential aspects of material construction and manufacturing. However, milling removes material from the surface of the workpiece with the help of milling cutters. While welding is the process of joining two metal surfaces by heating, hammering and pressing.
In this blog, you will learn more about the differences between these two popular and exciting processes.
Let’s start with the Milling!
Contents
Milling
Milling also refers to machining. It removes material from a workpiece’s surface with the help of rotary cutters. The machine can remove a layer of material from flat as well as irregular surfaces. The blade with several cutting edges rotates at a very high speed and can remove metal faster.
The process includes varying direction on one or several axes, cutter head speed, and pressure. The machine can hold more than one tool at a time.
Milling covers multiple operations and machines, from small individual parts to sizeable heavy-duty milling operations. It is the most common process for machining custom parts to precise tolerances.
Milling Applications:
- Milling produces gears and tools for other processes.
- It is commonly used in making slots or grooves in the workpiece.
- Apart from that, it is used in shaping and contouring surfaces.
- Industries use milling to produce complex shapes.
- Due to its excellent tolerance and finishing, it is best for adding accuracy to a part whose shape has been done.
- It is also helpful in machining irregular and complex areas.
Pros and Cons of milling machine
Every technology has its pros and cons so does milling.
The end product of milling is highly accurate and precise due to its automatic operation.
- Its production rate is very high.
- The machine works faster due to its multiple cutters.
- It can produce complex shapes accurately with multiple cutting options.
- The machines need ample space and proper attention for overhauling and maintenance.
- It consumes a considerable amount of electricity.
- Complex machines are an integral part of milling, requiring skilled professionals.
Welding
The basic meaning of welding refers to joining two pieces of metal. However, it is not as a sample as that; there is much more you should know. So let’s begin with the definition!
Welding is a fabrication process of joining material together with the help of heat and pressure. It requires a lot of skills to weld joints properly. The joining parts refer to as parent material, whereas the weld formed in the welding process is filler or consumable.
Do you know you can also weld wood or thermoplastic parts? But it requires the joining of the same material. Such as wood with wood, metal with metal, and so on.
There are many different types of welding. The three most common forms of welding are Flame, Arc, and Laser.
Welding uses:
Welding is commonly used in joining metals for various applications. Many industries require welding, including automobile, construction, energy, aerospace, and more. Many artists also use welding in making their artwork.
Welding is essential and used in many industrial and home applications. You can see the welding application everywhere, from aeronautics to home appliances.
Pros and cons of the welding profession
Welding is one of the most high-paying jobs in America, requiring a lot of competency and expertise. But you cannot deny the risk associated with welding as well. It is not about all good. It has its benefits and drawback.
Let’s find out the possible pros and cons of the welding profession.
- Few people pursue welding as a career, so the demand for welders is relatively high.
- The welding profession does not require a bachelor’s degree since it requires a skilled and competent welder. Thus just a high school diploma could be enough.
- Due to high demand, the pay is also high.
There are some states where welding is a highly paid profession; read more in our article The 5 Best States for Welders【HIGHEST Incomes】 【2021s Top】 – WeldRun.com
- A welder may face burn, cut, eye injury, and other hazards throughout the career.
- There are a lot of other health risks associated with welding.
- As a welder, you must work outdoors regardless of weather conditions.
For more details about the dangers of welding, please read our article ” Does welding shorten your life? – WeldRun.com.
Comparison between Milling and Welding
Process
- In milling, the material is removed from the workpiece by a rotary cutter.
- While welding, two pieces are joined together through heat and pressure.
Material
- Milling is a material removal process.
- Whereas in welding, the material is added to join two surfaces.
Temperature
- Welding is carried at a higher temperature.
- The temperature is comparatively low in milling.
Hazard
- In welding, workers’ health is at high risk. Moreover, fire and other hazards are embedded with welding.
- In contrast, there are no such hazards involved in milling.
Startup and Running Cost
- The investment to start a milling operation is vast. However, the running cost is less.
- Welding requires low startup costs and high running costs.
Application
Milling helps to make complex parts. Machining produces gear, grooves, and other three-dimensional pieces. Despite that, milling is also beneficial in machining irregular and complicated areas. Its excellent tolerance and finishing give accuracy to a piece whose shape has already been done.
Welding is a vast field. It involves almost every construction process, be it the fabrication of automobiles, aeronautical parts, repairing and maintenance, structural fabrication, and other industrial work.
Want to know more! watch this instructing video about Milling and Welding
Ending Note
Welding and milling are two different types of manufacturing processes. The purpose of each approach is also diverse. The main goal of welding is to create a new product from two other materials. At the same time, the main objective of milling is removing material from an existing workpiece.
Unlike milling, welding is a fusion of two metals or non-metals. However, with milling, you have to remove the metal from the object’s surface. Both of these processes can be done with the help of a CNC machine. I hope you get to benefit from the article. Please keep in touch to find out more about fabrication.