What's CNC Machining? |A Beginner's Guide

CNC Machining: The days are long gone when controlling a machine was not only a hectic but also a cumbersome job. We are highly equipped with modern day latest CNC technology. CNC acronym Computer Numeric Control in which the machines are preprogrammed or coded through a computer which controls the movement of tools and machinery. CNC machining allows the machine to be preprogrammed to control various parameters automatically like speed, feed and depth of cut etc. Usually, G and M codes are used for programming these machines which guides the workpiece or tool to move along prescribed positions for achieving the required result. Open and close loop are two different loop systems by which CNC machining is handled. In Open loop the information flows only in one direction that is between controller and motor. While in Close loop system the information flow is two way which allows the controller to receive feedback consequently making the error correction possible. Moreover, Close loop system identifies a vulnerability in parameters like speed and position. For minimal forces and speed, Open loop system is usually preferred. For all rest of things as well as to control the speeds and ensuring accuracy and consistency, close loop system is mainly utilized. A wide range of CNC machining is offered from CNC Lathes to Mills. A least human interaction is required to operate the CNC machine as program is fed once into computer, then rest is handled by machine itself. CNC machining lets the repeated jobs to be executed as same as before. Due to these capabilities, CNC machining was adopted around the globe from a small manufacturing to a large automotive and aerospace items. Different types of operations can be performed by CNC machining. CNC Turning and Milling are one of the highly utilized process which though fall in the category of CNC Machining. Types of material which can be machined are ranged from wood, plastic and metals.

CNC Turning: A process in which rotating 3 Jaw or universal chuck holds the work piece and then stationery cutting tool is then directed towards the workpiece for required removal of the material is known as CNC Turning. CNC turning is capable to ensure the position accuracy. Single point cutting tool is used in CNC Turning. While many tools can be installed on tool post to perform the sequential operations. It is highly suitable for steel, brass, copper, titanium, array of thermoplastics and especially non-ferrous metal parts having cylindrical or conical geometric shape. That’s why, highest bulk production can be achieved for such work pieces. For power cuts, dead tail stock is attached for support to reduce the impact forces to a great extent. On the other hand, live tail stock allows to compensate a new set of operations like Drilling and Grooving etc. Depending upon the type and size of the work piece, Horizontal or Vertical machine is being used. CNC Turning produces Continuous, Discontinuous and fragmented chips while cutting the workpiece in continuous stroke. The process is very smooth and avoid inertial as well as other impact forces. Especially used for machining the outer surfaces and inner surfaces of automotive parts like bushes, sleeves, Dowel pins and shafts etc. A normal CNC Turning has 2 or 3 axis most of the time, as technology is a CONTINUOUS Improvement process, 6 and 7 axis machines are also available. To assist our client's needs, we provide the latest 7 axis CNC Turning machine services which further paves a way towards better precision and accuracy, comparatively.

Advantages of CNC Turning:

1. CNC Turning is extremely precise and accurate operation.
2. CNC Turning is a highly automotive operation therefore it’s reduces the overall labor cost.
3. CNC Turning ensures you a product who has excellent product quality.
   
   

Disadvantages of CNC Turning:

1. CNC Turning operation is not easy to control therefore requires highly trained worker.
2. Its maintenance requires tremendous technicalities with highly skilled person.
3. CNC Turning operation is not easy to control.
   
   

CNC Milling:

A process in which rotating cutting tool is directed towards stationary work piece for the required removal of the material is called CNC Milling. Multi point cutting tool is used in CNC Milling. It deals with workpieces having flat and irregular geometric shape. CNC Milling produces discontinuous chips while cutting the workpiece in intermittent stroke. Especially used for grooving and gear making purposes. The CNC Milling process initiates with 2D and 3D design. Then the whole design is converted into compatible CNC file format and converted by CAM software into CNC machine programmed which commands the actions of machine and the movement of the tool. The CNC Milling process employs horizontal and vertical CNC enabled milling machines depending upon the specifications and requirements of the milling applications and rotating multipoint cutting tool such as mills and drills.

The most common CNC Milling operations include:

• Face milling
• Plain milling
• Angular milling
• Form milling

Almost every material can be machined using CNC Milling. The most common examples include metals, aluminum, steel alloys, brass, plastics, foam, composites and wood can also be machined. CNC machining is also used to machined vast range of automotive and aerospace parts such as Exhaust parts, Bushings, Suspension components, Fluid system components, and in aerospace industry, hydraulic manifolds, transmissions, fuel bodies, landing gear, electrical connectors, housings and many more parts can be machined using CNC Milling.

Benefits of CNC Milling:

1. The milling cutter is a kind of multi-tooth tool, each tooth on the milling cutter contributes in the work sporadically, which results in good cooling conditions for the cutting tool, high durability, enhanced cutting speed and enhanced productivity.
2. CNC Milling can produce a wider range of products than the planer, so it can almost replace the planer.
3. CNC milling is perfect for rapid prototyping and mass production.
4. A large number of productions can be done in a short time.
5. Furthermore, the same products with exact specifications can be produced as original design numerous times.
6. CNC Milling has computerized numerically control to confirm the accuracy and precision of final products.
7. Automation reduces the number of operators and labor costs but recollects the quality.
8. It permits complex design, geometries, specifications, and tasks.

9.It has good adaptability and flexibility in milling parts processing.

Disadvantages of CNC Milling:

1. The CNC milling machine is more expensive than manual instruments.
2. The workers who operate milling machines needs proper training
3. It takes too much time for design and programming, and not so cost-effective for small amounts of products.