How Dowding Machines Big Parts

What is it like to machine a really big workpiece? Mostly it’s the same as machining a regular-sized workpiece, but there are some big differences. Before Dowding Machining mills a section for a giant gearbox housing for a wind turbine, the shop lets the part thermally stabilize by soaking in the shop temperature. This might take days. Then, the shop roughs deep—releasing material stresses prior to finish machining so that they don’t affect the finish machining’s accuracy. Reading Dowding’s full story here.