What Are CNC Machines?
As you know machines such as lathe, milling, drilling is done manually and have more responsibility of humans to perform and have a higher average of accuracy and precision in taking the time. So to resolve this problem, the machine manufactured CNC which is known as Computer Numerically controlled.
Computer numerical control (CNC) machines are widely used in the production industries. They have achieved great popularity in these recent years.
CNC machine defined as a machining system that is managed by a computer, they enable manufacturers to automate many manufacturing operations that would otherwise have to be done manually.
As a result, CNC-powered machines are used to increase productivity, decrease waste, and even eliminate the risk of human error. CNC machines can produce a number of products by using actuators, drives, and software programs.
Automated motion control machines utilize three components:
- a command function
- a drive system
- a feedback system
CNC machining is a process that uses a computer-driven machine tool to transform a piece of solid raw material into a different shape. This process depends on digital instructions made on CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) or CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software capable of writing G-code. These codes have numerical values that the CNC machine’s controller can read to execute the process from beginning to end.
Once the computer on the controller interprets the design, it moves either the cutting tool or workpiece on multiple axes to cut the desired shape into the raw material. It exceeds the limitations of manual operator controls that require a live worker to press buttons or move levers. The machine knows what to do by reading specific machining commands.
Types of CNC Machines
Automated manufacturing allows industries to create parts quickly and precisely, but not all components are created equal. The type of CNC machine needed to make the final product depends on the part’s dimensions and geometric patterns.
CNC machines are typically divided into these five groups:
2-axis
2.5-axis
3-axis
4-axis
5-axis
The axes determine the machine’s abilities, including how it moves, how it cuts into the workpiece, and whether or not it maneuvers the material or cutting tool to create the finished product.
For example, 3-axis machining keeps the workpiece in a stationary position while the cutting tool moves on an XYZ plane to trim away unnecessary material. It is ideal for milling slots, cutting sharp edges, and drilling holes in mechanical components.
CNC Milling Machine
This commonplace CNC machine includes built-in rotary cutting tools to drill and cut raw materials. The process begins by placing a metal, wood, or plastic block inside the machine. Next, the computer tells the machine how to cut or drill into the material.
CNC milling machines are ideal for making notches, grooves, shapes, and pockets.
CNC Lathe Machine
Lathe machines move the raw material on a spindle instead of maneuvering a cutter or torch, and these devices use fewer axes than milling machines. CNC lathe machinery has a lathe in the center that rotates and manipulates the material to form the required shape. The computer controls the positioning of the material.
Turn to CNC Shop China for Your Next CNC Machining Project
At CNC Shop China, our CNC machining process is widely applied in new product development, manufacturing injection molds, product prototyping and end-product manufacturing. It is suitable for use with an diverse range of plastic CNC machining materials & metal CNC machining materials and can be used across a wide array of industries.