CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines are automated machine tools that are operated by an electronic control unit that reads commands from a storage medium. These machines can be lathes, milling centers, drillers, cutters, multitasking turning centers with "live" tools or other metal processing tools such as plasma or water jet cutters.
The commands that are stored into a CNC and get successively performed correspond to the head or the workpiece table movement along an axis, essentially replacing the manual hand wheels and levers. Modern CNCs can also read 3D models derived from CAD files and generate the proper series of commands needed to realize the model automatically.
Key Benefits
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. CNC machinery can deliver high levels of repeatability as the exact same design can be produced over and over again for an almost unlimited number of times.
4. Automated tools such as CNC machines can run all day and all night long, all year round with only occasional stops for maintenance purposes. Human operators, on the other hand, need frequent breaks for their work to remain accurate and can only work for certain periods of time.
5. Workpieces that require demanding multi-hour processing and vigorous dimension measurements can be produced much quicker when using a CNC as dimensions are accurately achieved without the need for measurements.
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
As advantageous as CNC machine tools may be, there are certainly some possible drawbacks that should be considered before buying one.
1. First and foremost, there is the cost. A modern CNC machine can cost a lot depending on its technical features and capabilities. This cost of acquisition is constantly dropping as open source software to control CNCs is made available and production of CNC parts increases, but it still remains on the high side.
2. Another issue for consideration is the technical stupefaction that workshops who work with CNCs naturally witness. Employees are no longer required to do any mathematical or engineering calculations and are only limited to monitoring the CNCs operation.
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 commands that are stored into a CNC and get successively performed correspond to the head or the workpiece table movement along an axis, essentially replacing the manual hand wheels and levers. Modern CNCs can also read 3D models derived from CAD files and generate the proper series of commands needed to realize the model automatically.
Key Benefits
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. CNC machinery can deliver high levels of repeatability as the exact same design can be produced over and over again for an almost unlimited number of times.
4. Automated tools such as CNC machines can run all day and all night long, all year round with only occasional stops for maintenance purposes. Human operators, on the other hand, need frequent breaks for their work to remain accurate and can only work for certain periods of time.
5. Workpieces that require demanding multi-hour processing and vigorous dimension measurements can be produced much quicker when using a CNC as dimensions are accurately achieved without the need for measurements.
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
As advantageous as CNC machine tools may be, there are certainly some possible drawbacks that should be considered before buying one.
1. First and foremost, there is the cost. A modern CNC machine can cost a lot depending on its technical features and capabilities. This cost of acquisition is constantly dropping as open source software to control CNCs is made available and production of CNC parts increases, but it still remains on the high side.
2. Another issue for consideration is the technical stupefaction that workshops who work with CNCs naturally witness. Employees are no longer required to do any mathematical or engineering calculations and are only limited to monitoring the CNCs operation.
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, boring machines and more!
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