CNC machining centers are suitable for cutting various materials, covering multiple categories such as metals, plastics, composite materials, etc. Different materials have different requirements for cutting tools, cutting parameters, and cooling methods, and corresponding adjustments need to be made according to the material characteristics before processing.

In terms of metal materials, machining centers are widely used for cutting aluminum alloys, copper, steel, stainless steel, titanium alloys, and other materials. Aluminum alloy is a common non-ferrous metal with soft material, good thermal conductivity, and low cutting resistance during processing, making it suitable for high-speed cutting. When processing copper materials, attention should be paid to preventing tool sticking, which is often achieved by controlling the feed rate and selecting specialized cutting tools for processing. Carbon steel and alloy steel have relatively high hardness and are suitable for structural component manufacturing. During the machining process, tool wear needs to be controlled. For stainless steel, due to its high strength, toughness, and poor thermal conductivity, it is prone to chip buildup during processing, requiring the use of coated cutting tools and ensuring sufficient cooling. Titanium alloy processing is difficult and the cutting temperature is high, requiring the use of a low-speed high feed strategy to avoid rapid tool wear.

In non-metallic materials, engineering plastics such as POM, ABS, PEEK, PC, etc. can be milled, drilled, and operated through machining centers. The processing speed of plastic materials can be fast, but it is prone to processing errors due to thermal deformation or burrs. The sharpness of cutting tools and cooling control need to be considered in place. For glass fiber reinforced plastics, tools with stronger wear resistance should be selected to extend their service life.

In terms of composite materials, such as carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP), etc., drilling, milling and other operations can also be carried out on CNC machining centers. This type of material has a special structure, and the fiber layer is prone to delamination, burrs, and other problems during cutting. Special cutting tools and appropriate processing strategies are required during processing, such as using small cutting depths and multiple feed rates to control cutting loads.

In addition, some high hardness and brittleness materials such as ceramics and hard alloys, although not typical application objects, can also be roughly machined or formed within a certain range through CNC machining centers with the support of special cutting tools or processing parameters. Light materials such as wood and foam are also often cut with CNC equipment in the fields of model making and handicraft processing, especially in the stage of mold opening and proofing.

The processing performance of different materials is affected by factors such as equipment rigidity, spindle power, and control system response. Before processing, it is recommended to evaluate the cutting strategy and tool matching based on material properties to ensure process stability and part accuracy.