Comparison of Machining Processes

Comparison of various machining processes (boring, drilling, shaping, planning, turning and milling) in aspects of advantages and limitations.

S.No	Machining Process	Advantages	Limitations
1	Boring	All types of material can be bored. Variety of internal circular profiles can be obtained. Low tooling cost. Large components can be bored. Provides better dimensional control and surface finish.	Boring requires skilled labor. Low production rate in a boring machining operation. Suitable for internal profiles only. The stiffness of boring bar is an important consideration.
2	Drilling	Drilling operation is inexpensive tooling and equipment. Most suitable for producing round holes of various sizes. High production rate. The machine can be used for reaming and tapping.	Drilling operation requires semi-skilled labor. Basically a rough machining operation.
3	Shaping	Shaping operation is suitable for production flat and contour profiles on small workpieces. Suitable for low production rate. Low tooling and equipment cost.	Shaping operation requires skilled labor. Large size workpieces cannot be obtained through shaping. Only simple profiles can be obtained. Close tolerance and fine finish cannot be obtained.
4	Planning	Suitable for producing flat and encounter profiles on large workpieces. Suitable for low production rate. Low tooling cost for performing planning operation.	Planning operation requires skilled labour. Only simple profiles can be obtained. Close tolerance and fine finish cannot be obtained in planning operation.
5	Turning	All types of materials can be turned. A most versatile machine capable of producing external and internal circular profile and flat surfaces. Low tooling cost. Large components can be turned.	Turning operation requires skilled labour. Low production rate in turning machining operation. Close tolerances and surface finish cannot be achieved.
6	Milling	Variety of shapes including flats, slots and contours can be obtained through milling operation. Versatile operation with a wide variety of toolings and attachments. Suitable for low and medium production rate. Better dimensional control and surface finish.	Milling operation requires skilled labour. Tooling relatively more expansion.