CNC machining is currently the point of focus of many industries due to its immense advantages. Currently, top companies in the motorcycle manufacturing sector use the process to make customized motorcycle parts, e.g., motorcycle engine parts.
The reasons for the adoption of CNC services by motorcycle manufacturing companies for making customized parts are its unique features. This article introduces CNC machining service and why they are an important part of motorcycle manufacturing companies.
Why Use CNC Machines to Make Motorcycle Parts?
Currently, CNC services are currently the point of focus of many bikes and motorcycle manufacturing companies for making CNC motorcycle parts. the CNC services use machines making a wide range of customized motorcycle parts. The below details are why CNC machines are suitable for making motorcycle parts.
· Precision
Precision is the similarity of customized parts to each other during production. CNC machines are highly precise. Therefore, motorcycle manufacturers can produce customized parts with 100% similarity.
With the same programming, raw materials, settings, etc., there is a massive reduction in variation amongst the produced CNC motorcycle parts. Consequently, the completely tailored process can produce thousands of similar CNC motorcycle parts that are unique to their brand alone.
· Accuracy
Accuracy is the similarity of a product to the original design. CNC machines are computer-controlled. Therefore, there is less influence from humans. Consequently, there is a reduction in human operator error and better accuracy.
· Reduction in Number of Human Operator
CNC machines work in an automated process; therefore, it requires fewer operators than traditional manufacturing processes. Machines take care of production, and the process is as precise and accurate as possible. Therefore, operator cost is reduced without a loss in quality. Consequently, the amount saved can be spent on other projects for better production.
· Reduced Production Time
CNC machines have a reduced production time making it easy to produce parts without much issue. With the reduction in production time, prototypes can be easily made, checked for errors, and subsequently improved. Also, real production can begin, and if CNC machining is used, the same advantage is visible.
· Cost
Manufacturing using CNC is cost-effective as it requires less labor time, and CNC machines also save money. Therefore, manufacturers can engage in other activities as CNC machines carry out operations. On the consumer side, it makes it easier and less costly to own motorcycle parts, even for a new user.
What Motorcycle Parts can be CNC Machined?
CNC machines are suitable for making parts made of plastic and metals such as wheel discs, stems, sprockets, brake pedals, and light. Below are a few motorcycle parts you can CNC machine.
· Engine Parts
The engine is probably the most important part of any automobile. It often has a complicated design and requires the use of a highly precise machine which is a CNC machine.
Motorcycle engine parts such as pistons, cylinders, and camshafts are often designed using CNC turning (an important aspect of CNC).
Modification is easier with the process, and CNC racing engine parts are common applications of the process.
· Motorcycle Wheels vs Car Wheels
Motorcycle wheels are aesthetically appealing, unlike car wheels. However, achieving such aesthetics and functionality represented by complex designs is only possible with the use of a CNC machine. CNC milling is the most suitable CNC method for making wheel discs.
· Lights
Bulbs and light come from tough plastics, while the lenses come from metals. A CNC machine is ideal for working with such materials, and common processes suitable include turning, milling, and cutting.
Post-Processing Operations for CNC Motorcycle Parts
After production is complete, CNC services use several post-processing processes to improve the functionality and aesthetics of CNC motorcycle parts.
Post-processing operations are not necessary. However, they can be a difference between good products and bad. Below are a few post-processing operations most people use to help improve parts used in making motorcycles.
· Anodizing
Anodizing is an electrochemical process used to coat a material using another metal. It is a top-notch engineering process capable of improving the thickness and density of parts used in making motorcycles. It is also useful in creating electrically inert and corrosion-resistant parts with better durability.
Anodizing requires conductivity. Therefore, only several metals used in making parts of motorcycles are suitable for the process. Examples include Aluminum and titanium. Nevertheless, anodized finishes are probably the best form of finish as they guarantee an increase in the strength and aesthetics of CNC motorcycle parts.
Pros
- Improved aesthetics
- Enhanced durability
- Enhances mechanical and chemical resistance
- Suitable for use in small components and internal surfaces.
- Good dimensional control
Cons
- Only suitable for Aluminum and Titanium
- It is expensive, especially type III
· Passivation
Passivation involves rendering surfaces of metals passive to environmental factors by forming an extra layer that acts as a shield for the metal.
It is an important process in combating corrosion, a problem peculiar to metal parts. It is suitable for protecting CNC motorcycle parts made out of stainless steel, zinc, and some other alloys.
Passivation also improves parts aesthetics. For example, it can produce different color variations, which is an important aesthetic attribute.
Pros
- Enhance mechanical resistance
- Improved appearance
- Increased durability of products
Cons
- Uneven surfaces
- Prior cleaning of metals before passivation increases production time.
· Electroplating
Electroplating is an electrolytic process that involves using a thin film of a non-corrosive material to coat other materials.
This improves corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity, abrasion resistance.
It also aids in improving the aesthetics of CNC motorcycle parts as gold-plated parts will be enticing to a new user than pure steel.
Pros
- Improve mechanical and chemical resistance
- Enhanced aesthetics
- Increased durability of products
- Products of electroplating are pure.
Cons
- Disposal of waste products of electroplating is a major concern
- Uneven plating
· Powder Coating
Powder coating involves applying dry, free-flowing powder to the surface of metals. It increases the thickness and density while improving its mechanical resistance.
Also, products are more aesthetically appealing, with improved performance and durability.
Powder coating is ideal for use in all types of metals which places it an early advantage over anodizing. The final products, too, have more tensile strength and greater resistance.
When dealing with small components, it is advised to choose anodizing over powder coating. Controlling the precision and accuracy of measurements is less achievable in powder coating.
Pros
- Improved aesthetics
- Enhanced resistance to wear and tear
- Suitable for use with all kinds of metals
- The final product is more durable
- Permits the use of multiple colors
Cons
- Poor dimensional control
- Not ideal for small components and internal surfaces.
· Heat Treatment
Like the other post-processing operations, heat treatment enhances the features of these CNC motorcycle parts.
Heat application to metals after machining helps to increase the natural metallic characteristics. Consequently, the parts become more ductile, malleable, tougher, and even gain more strength.
Heat treatment for CNC motorcycle parts can occur in the following ways.
– Quenching and Tempering
Quenching involves heating CNC motorcycle parts at high temperatures before rapid cooling. This results in super hard motorcycle parts. In some alloys, tempering occurs after quenching. Here, the CNC motorcycle parts cool slowly. This reduces the brittleness while gaining the properties seen in quenching.
– Precipitation Hardening
This is a heat treatment technique suitable for increasing the yield point of malleable metals such as aluminum and its alloys, stainless steel, etc.
This process accounts for motorcycle parts having less weight without a reduction in mechanical properties. For example, aluminum has mechanical strength like stainless steel, even though stainless steel is at least three times denser.
– Case Hardening
This heat treatment helps to harden the external layer of parts without affecting the internal components. Hardening occurs by the application of substances rich in carbon to the exterior of machined products in the presence of heat.
– Stress Relieving
The stress-relieving process helps to calm down these materials at the molecular level. It removes the accumulation of stress that occurs in a material if not treated after manufacturing. Though it has no real effect on the hardness. It enhances other general physical properties of the metal
Stress-relieving is similar to annealing. It involves heating the metals and slowly cooling them down. However, unlike annealing, stress-relieving is a post-processing operation.
Pros of Heat Treatment
- Improved strength
- Relieve internal stress accumulation
- Improve ductility
- Increase toughness of the material
Cons of Heat Treatment
- Product distortion
· Insert Installtion
Insert installation is an important step towards fitting the several motorcycle parts together to make the final product.
Common fixtures you can install include fasteners, especially bolts and screws. Holes for fitting the fasteners are made by CNC drilling during machining. These fasteners go through the holes and are screwed into the threads – the other part that connects them.
Pros
- Easy assembling and disassembling and products using screws and bolts
- They allow for compact packaging of products
Cons
- No major shortcomings
Conclusion
This article introduced CNC machines and the importance of post-processing finish to parts used in making motorcycles. AT Machining is an expert in making custom motorcycles parts with high quality. Please feel free to send us the design of your required part. Our engineers will do their best to turn your design into reality.
