Computer Numerical Control, or CNC machines, are metal processing tools of high accuracy that base their operation on commands given by their main computer unit. CNCs can be various types of processing machines such as turning and milling centers, drilling machines, lathes and multitasking turning centers. Some more modern implementations include automated plasma and water jet cutters too.
The electronic controller reads commands that are stored into an embedded or inserted medium and executes them consecutively. These commands concern the cutting or milling head movement as well as the rotation speed of the miller, chuck or "live" tool. Besides reading commands, modern CNCs can also analyze a 3D CAD model and generate the proper sequence of commands to materialize it.
Main Advantages
Using CNC machines generates a series of benefits that are very important for the efficient running of any modern workshop business. The increasing demands in the metalworking sector call for fast production combined with precise workpiece geometry, something that can only be achieved through the use of CNC machines.
1. CNCs relieve workshop owners from employing an adequate number of machinists to fulfill the production needs. Only a minimum number of employees is required to monitor the operation of those automated machines.
2. No extensive training is needed for the workshop employees to cope with their day to day duties, as opposed to the years of vigorous practice that was required by lathe and mill machinists in the past.
3. Automated CNCs can produce many items of the same design featuring high-fidelity and repeatability.
4. While human operators need frequent breaks and can only work for a certain period of time, CNCs know no limits as to how long they can keep producing items without stopping. Apart from short periods of maintenance, CNCs can work day and night without any problem.
5. Items that require extensive measuring and accurate dimensioning take a lot of manufacturing time for a machinist no matter how many of those were produced in the past. CNCs, however, can quickly produce the same item countless times and without any geometrical deviations among the produced pieces.
6. CNCs that feature "live" tools can materialize items that pose a challenge to even the most experienced machinists out there.
7. Another possible benefit is the streamlining of workpieces manufacturing using multi-tasking CNCs. This is due to the fact that multi-tasking machines can combine various milling and cutting processes that would otherwise require the mounting of the workpiece on various different machines.
Potential Issues
Nothing comes without drawbacks, though, and CNC machines are no exception to this rule either. Here are some hindering factors for consideration:
1. The increased cost of acquisition of those automated machines is the main suspensive factor. The expected median profit and ROI must be carefully considered before buying a CNC. This high cost though is gradually decreasing as open source software tools are made available.
2. Secondly, there is the lack of engineering and calculative skills in a workshop. As the need for those is eliminated by the CNC machine's automated nature, workshops may slowly become incapacitated in regards to the technical abilities of the personnel.
3. There is a chance that a CNC is badly calibrated or the workpiece bed gets somehow misaligned. This can lead to countless of defective items before someone notices.
The electronic controller reads commands that are stored into an embedded or inserted medium and executes them consecutively. These commands concern the cutting or milling head movement as well as the rotation speed of the miller, chuck or "live" tool. Besides reading commands, modern CNCs can also analyze a 3D CAD model and generate the proper sequence of commands to materialize it.
Main Advantages
Using CNC machines generates a series of benefits that are very important for the efficient running of any modern workshop business. The increasing demands in the metalworking sector call for fast production combined with precise workpiece geometry, something that can only be achieved through the use of CNC machines.
1. CNCs relieve workshop owners from employing an adequate number of machinists to fulfill the production needs. Only a minimum number of employees is required to monitor the operation of those automated machines.
2. No extensive training is needed for the workshop employees to cope with their day to day duties, as opposed to the years of vigorous practice that was required by lathe and mill machinists in the past.
3. Automated CNCs can produce many items of the same design featuring high-fidelity and repeatability.
4. While human operators need frequent breaks and can only work for a certain period of time, CNCs know no limits as to how long they can keep producing items without stopping. Apart from short periods of maintenance, CNCs can work day and night without any problem.
5. Items that require extensive measuring and accurate dimensioning take a lot of manufacturing time for a machinist no matter how many of those were produced in the past. CNCs, however, can quickly produce the same item countless times and without any geometrical deviations among the produced pieces.
6. CNCs that feature "live" tools can materialize items that pose a challenge to even the most experienced machinists out there.
7. Another possible benefit is the streamlining of workpieces manufacturing using multi-tasking CNCs. This is due to the fact that multi-tasking machines can combine various milling and cutting processes that would otherwise require the mounting of the workpiece on various different machines.
Potential Issues
Nothing comes without drawbacks, though, and CNC machines are no exception to this rule either. Here are some hindering factors for consideration:
1. The increased cost of acquisition of those automated machines is the main suspensive factor. The expected median profit and ROI must be carefully considered before buying a CNC. This high cost though is gradually decreasing as open source software tools are made available.
2. Secondly, there is the lack of engineering and calculative skills in a workshop. As the need for those is eliminated by the CNC machine's automated nature, workshops may slowly become incapacitated in regards to the technical abilities of the personnel.
3. There is a chance that a CNC is badly calibrated or the workpiece bed gets somehow misaligned. This can lead to countless of defective items before someone notices.
About the Author:
Absolute Machine Tools, Inc. offers many options in CNC machine tools. Learn more on their website about their cnc machines for sale, including lathes, gun drilling machines, horizontal boring machines and more!
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