The term CNC machining is not a widely used or understood term among the general public, but yet its rise and prominence has affected our lives in a huge number of ways. Within the manufacturing sector, the development of CNC machining has been a benchmark, allowing for a more efficient, precise and cost effective industry.
So how does this have an effect on me? Well if you look around you, likely most of the products that you are using have been produced with the help of machining.
So what is CNC machining? In one of its simplest definitions, CNC machining is the use of computer numerical code in order to program machines to complete manufacturing tasks. By using this code, these are able to increase their accuracy and speed, greatly improving on the productivity over their manual counterparts.
CNC machines have been around since the 1950s, but have rapidly grown to a process that has revolutionized the manufacturing and machining industry, paving the way for the technology that we use today.
Programmable code and computer software
The programmable element of computer numerical code machining is instrumental to its design, allowing the use of computer applications and programs to assist in the creation of products. Through the use of computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), the emphasis has shifted from workers who would operate machines manually to those who design instructions for the machines.
By using CAD and CAM applications there are more options to create detailed and complicated designs, with a reduced chance of flaws or deficiencies with the end product. These software programs allow the digital design of a product to then be converted into code to be physically replicated.
Ability to duplicate designs
Once a product has been created for the first time, computer numerical code machining makes it is easy to replicate this work to easily produce an identical piece. Previously, recreating a part could take a similar amount of time as the original, as it would require manual work to cut, create and manufacture. This has allowed manufacturing companies to keep quality levels high, while producing a much vaster quantity of a product.
Examples of CNC machining
There is a variety of CNC machining which can be used to replace almost any type of manual manufacturing process. Metal work, removal and fabrication are all now highly dependent on machines, with processes such as threading, grooving, turning and cutting all manufactured by this innovative technology.
It’s not just metal either, as other devices such as milling machines, lathes, turners, drills and grinders are all used to craft practically any material in to the desired shape and size required.
Future of CNC machining
As the desire for more intricate and complex parts grow, the demand for better manufacturing processes also increases. As a result, machining is continuing to develop and refine its approach, with the future of the manufacturing industry looking increasingly reliant on the innovative CNC machines and their advancements. cnc machining parts supplier