What are the different types of CNC machines we use? At We CNC machine shop, we own 50+ CNC machines including mills, CNC turning machines (or lathes), CNC routers, and Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) machines. 1.CNC mills have rotating cutting tools that are moved to different areas of the workpiece to make cuts and can be used to make many different parts. CNC lathes work the other way, rotating the workpiece against a stationary cutting tool, and are used to make cylindrical parts. 2.CNC routers are similar to CNC mills, but have less power and cannot cut the hardest materials. They can, however, be faster than CNC mills. 3.EDM uses electrical discharges (sparks) instead of a sharp cutting tool to cut material. No physical contact is made between the tool and the workpiece. CNC machines are often defined by their number of axes. More axes mean they can move their tool and/or workpiece in a greater number of ways, giving greater cutting flexibility and the ability to make more complicated parts in a shorter time.