What Is CNC Machining?

Numerical control (NC) refers to the automation of machine tools that are operated by encoded to produce certain products, rather than manually via levers or hand wheels. Most NC today is computer numerical control (CNC), in which computers play a fundamental part of the whole process.

Nowadays in more modern CNC machining systems, all parts of the component process are highly automated using computer aided design (CAD), and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) programs.

How Is CNC used?

Since particular materials might require the operation of a numbers of tools, including, saws, drills, laser cutters, etc., modern CNC machining systems often incorporate all of these tools into one single system. All of these machines within the cell will perform their individual task in order to created one finished product. For example, one machine may cut the material into the right shape, while another may drill a hole in it.

Why Do We Use It?

CNC machines are more popular than their NC machines, simply because less human involvement, and error, occurs in the manufacturing process. Instead, CNC machines are cheaper to use, and can operate 24/7/365.

Examples

CNC Mills

Milling is a type of CNC machining, that uses computer control to cut different materials. They work by interpreting programs consisting of numbers, and letters, to move the spindle to create measured components. Many use the standardised programming language — G-Code, while others are specifically programmed by their manufactures.

CNC Lathes

Lathes are specific machines that cut spinning pieces of metal. These lathes are able to make faster, and more accurate cuts, using tools and drills, which cannot be cut on manually operated lathes. CNC lathes have similar control systems to CNC milling machines, often using G-code as their proprietary operating program.

CNC Plasma Cutters

Plasma cutting involves cutting materials commonly using a plasma torch. Often used to cut steel or others materials, the process works by blowing gas at high speeds out of the nozzle, forming an electric arc when the material is being cut, turning some of this gas into plasma. This plasma is extremely hot to melt the material being cut, and moves incredibly faster to prevent offcuts from getting in the way.

CNC Water Jet Cutter

The water jet cutter, also commonly referred to as a water-jet, is a tool capable of cutting into material, or even other materials, such as, granite, by using a jet of water at high pressure. This also can be mixed with other abrasive substances, such as sand. This method is commonly used when the material being cut is sensitive to the high temperatures of the other CNC machining systems. This has been used in a variety of industries, and different niches, for the use of cutting, carving, reaming, and shaping.