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Reference › Glossary › Turning
Definition

Turning

What is Turning?

Turning rotates the workpiece against a single-point tool to produce cylindrical features — diameters, faces, tapers, grooves and threads. It is the fastest way to make round parts and is performed on lathes and turning centers.

Adding live tooling and a sub-spindle lets a turning center also mill and drill, finishing complex parts complete.

Also known as

CNC turning

Related terms

Milling
Processes
Turning Center
Machine Types
Hard Turning
Processes
Lathe
Machine Types
Insert
Indexable Insert
Knurling
Processes
Subtractive Manufacturing
Fundamentals

Compared with

Milling vs Turning
Comparison
See it in machines → Browse turning centers & lathes

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