What is the difference between Milling and Turning?

The two fundamental machining processes differ in what moves. In milling the tool spins and the part is fixed; in turning the part spins and the tool is fixed. Round part? Turn it. Prismatic or 3D part? Mill it. Mill-turn machines and live tooling blur the line, doing both in one setup.

Reference › Glossary › Milling vs Turning

Comparison

Milling vs Turning

What's the difference?

The two fundamental machining processes differ in what moves. In milling the tool spins and the part is fixed; in turning the part spins and the tool is fixed.

Milling

A rotating multi-edge cutter removes material from a stationary part to make flat faces, slots, pockets, contours and 3D surfaces. Done on machining centers. Most versatile for non-round geometry.

Turning

The part rotates against a single-point tool to make round features — diameters, faces, threads, bores. Done on lathes/turning centers. Fastest way to make cylindrical parts.

Bottom line

Round part? Turn it. Prismatic or 3D part? Mill it. Mill-turn machines and live tooling blur the line, doing both in one setup.

Full definitions

Milling

Turning

Turning Center

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