The electronic device that has truly revolutionized the world of this generation is a smartphone. The marvels of smartphones have downsized the magic of computer devices now. Every feature and operation of a computer has been integrated into a smartphone. Rather it has more refined and advanced programs.

All of this success was brought to life because of CNC milling. The milling industry plays a role in the manufacturing of smartphones and in the accessories for mobile phones designed with CNC machining.

It can be easily said that CNC milling has much more to offer in the electronic industry than the manufacturing of hair dryers. Let’s read how CNC prototyping plays a role in the smartphone industry. But before that, we’ll give you a brief introduction to CNC milling.

CNC Milling

Computer Numerical Control (CNC) milling is a process of cutting materials with the help of computer-programmed rotors. This method creates a specific design product. Most of the materials used for cutting are plastics, metals, glass, and wood. 

This advanced level of prototyping offers the highest precision and accuracy in designing a product. You can create an entire or part of a product with it. CNC machining is the actual term. Under which CNC milling and turning comes.

CNC milling

CNC milling is done to build flat surface objects.

CNC turning

CNC turning is done to form cylindrical or conical-shaped surfaces.

Types of CNC milling machines

There are four types of milling machines currently available in the market. Each has its specifications, and each is distinguished from the other based on its ability to cut at different angles and move around the axis.

1. 2-axis milling machine
2. 3-axis milling machine
3. 4-axis milling machine
4. 5-axis milling machine

2-axis milling machine

2-axis milling machines are the simplest and the most conventional ones. The 2-axis machine moves only in two directions: x and z. Or you can say vertical and horizontal.

3-axis milling machine

3-axis milling machines are the most commonly used in the industry. These machines move in the x, y, and z axes. You can cut the material in all vertical directions with this machine. The only limitation of 3-axis milling machines is they can’t cut the complex parts of the materials.

4-axis milling machine

Here, the workpiece does not move. Only the rotor moves in three directions: up and down, back and forth, and side by side. The accuracy level of the 4-axis milling machine is higher than the above 2. It can also cut complex parts of instruments. 

5-axis milling machine

The rotators of the 5-axis milling machine are the most advanced ones. They can move in three axes and rotate in two axes of any choice: x, y, or z.

Role of CNC milling in smartphone industry

Now, let’s discuss the role of CNC machining in smartphone manufacturing. CNC milling is used to build cell phone cases, mobile phone accessories, touch sensor glass, phone frames, additive cuts, and phone aesthetic designs. 

Phone frame and body

A mobile phone’s frame decides its sleek look. The more aesthetically designed the frame, the more customers will be attracted to it. This is one of the biggest strategies for attracting customers. But have you ever considered how this frame is designed and which machinery is used to make the perfect cut? 

The renowned company Apple uses CNC milling to design the iPhone and MacBook’s frames. This is why Apple’s designs are always consistent in one model. The rounded edges of an iPhone always appear smooth with one of the finest finishing details. This high precision can only be achieved with a CNC system; moreover, with CNC milling, you can get the product design in a repeatable manner.

The company has chosen Aluminum as the material for the exterior body of the iPhone or Macbook. 

Touch glass screens

All modern devices, be it a smartphone or LED, laptop, tablet, or watch, are on a touch screen. The touch screens demand high precision in cutting them in the correct shape, uniqueness from other companies’ styles, and high strength and resistance. CNC machining forms a touch screen of glass with a sleek look. Lathe can produce the same product in mass numbers with zero error rate.

The traditional system of making touch sensors wasn’t high-quality. CNC milling has enabled people to design high-optical-strength sensors.

Casings

Casings are the outer protective covers used to protect smartphones or tablets. They aren’t made with CNC machining, but the mold used for making casings is made from CNC machines. Cases are usually made of leather, plastic, metal, or wood. Wooden cases are comparatively more expensive than metal ones, as the wood used is expensive and requires some hand detailing. However, metal ones are cost-effective and efficient as well. They also give a better, sleek look. 

Phone Accessories

You talk about phones and don’t know what accessories and peripheral devices are; it’s strange. CNC prototyping has an equal role in designing and manufacturing mobile phone accessories. The dominant CNC-programmed accessories and peripheral devices are the following:

• Travelers need power banks made using CNC prototyping and protected by casings.
• Selfie sticks are made from nuts and bolts, and CNC services design them.
• Headphone amplifiers are designed under automation.

Aesthetic flourishing

Every user cares about the looks of the phone. People like to have an aesthetically appealing phone that stands out in their personalities. So, CNC milling is used to give phone covers an appealing look. Some touch-ups are added to the phone body and frame. These aesthetic touch-ups are also included while designing a phone cover.

Why is Apple winning at CNC milling?

Apple is smart. It owns nearly 10,000 CNC milling machines. All of them are specifically for manufacturing Macbooks, and we are using them for iPhone production as well. According to current statistics, Apple makes 1 million iPhones daily. Aluminum is used as a material, and a tolerance level of 10 microns is maintained when designing all Macbooks, iPads, iPhones, and Apple watches. Swiss lathe machines are used throughout the whole process. This is the reason all Apple products are always of top-notch quality with high accuracy and precision. Laser-cutting machines are set at certain parameters and the exact specifications are obtained with each product. 

Other companies using CNC milling

After Apple, Samsung and Huawei are the two most popular companies at present. Both have integrated milling services into their systems. They use aluminum and its alloys to mass-produce their products.

Small companies that can not afford aluminum frames are offering plastic ones, which makes their products cost-effective as well. 

Evolution from Aluminum to Titanium

For ages, aluminum and stainless steel have been used in manufacturing the frames of iPhones. Till the iPhone 14, the frames were of aluminum. However, the iPhone 15 and 15 pro series were launched with a change in framing. Probably, it was due to customer complaints that phones are heavy, which forced the manufacturers to shift from aluminum to titanium. All the 15 and 15pros iPhones’ structures are built with Titanium.  Titanium has advantages over stainless steel and aluminum. Let’s discuss them now.

Titanium over aluminum

• Titanium is corrosion-resistant, making it a favorite in all industries. Though aluminum is also highly resistant to corrosion, titanium shows better results.
• Titanium is lightweight. It has high tensile strength and hardness.
• Titanium’s strength-to-weight ratio is better than that of aluminum. Its weight is half as much as that of stainless steel. Aluminum’s weight is equal to titanium’s, but its strength is lesser.
• The good strength-to-weight ratio makes the product durable and reliable.
• Titanium is highly flexible. However, aluminum is pliable, and steel is rigid. That’s why the iPhone 15’s bending ability was highlighted during commercialization.
• The titanium gives the product a visually appealing look. The lustrous surface and sleekness elevate the quality and look of it. Apple is famous for providing eye-catching products. 
• Titanium has given the iPhone manufacturers the option of colors. Space black, blue, silver, or gray, you have a range to choose from
• Glass has the best thermal properties and titanium matches with the glass to some extent.

Brands having CNC machining

The top eight brands that produce CNC milling machines from all over the world are the following:

1. Yamazaki Mazak

It is in Japan. Yamazaki Mazak is one of the renowned Japanese brands. It is considered the top spot for the production of CNC machinery. Everything is manufactured here, from lathes to laser cutters and CAD/CAM programs. 

2. DMG MORI

It is a joint program of Germany and Japan. In China, all of this brand’s products are very famous. DMG MORI manufactures all parts of CNC machines and even whole machines. 

3. Trumpf

It is a German brand and is known as the leader in laser machine production.

4. MAG

MAG is located in the United States of America. Its machines are used worldwide. The company has the sixth-highest revenue in CNC machine manufacturing.

5. Hardinge

This USA-based brand is the fifth best in manufacturing CNC machines. It also produces the best metal cutting tools and components, and its products’ precision is above the sky.

6. Haas

Haas is also a brand of USA. Haas makes one of the finest CNC machines

7. Amada

Amada is famous for making the best metal sheet tools in Japan. Its business has now expanded to Europe and the USA. 

8. Okuma

Okuma is one of the finest companies in Japan. It makes the world’s best CNC machines. Its best quality is that all of its products are easy to use, have the highest precision and stiffness, and come with an expanded lifetime warranty. 

Limitations of CNC machining

As time passes, the world is becoming digital. CNC milling, on the one hand, has proven to be extremely helpful to us. It has revolutionized all industries. From aerospace to electronics and medicine, CNC prototyping is used everywhere. But too much dependence on a robotic device is not good either. As human interruption in the milling industry is very low, if any error occurs in any program or software, it can lead to mechanical errors.

Along with that, you need to update your machines from time to time. The old ones do work efficiently, but the new ones will add more accuracy to your work. Hence, it may be costly for many of you.

Conclusion

With the smart devices industry revolution, both the manufacturer and the customer are satisfied. Replacing aluminum with titanium and its alloys has proven to be a good decision. Apple’s strategy to always make the best of the product has won. 

CNC milling is a material-compatible process. It can handle various types of materials. Tough titanium has several advantages over plastic, stainless steel, and aluminum. But it needs special attention while machining. Thus, you need an expert manufacturer for titanium design.

At Zintilon, we design with a wide range of materials. Our 5-axis technology can make the most precise products. It’s your time to choose and trust us. Order your specified designs for manufacturing now at Zintilon.