What Is CNC?The abbreviation of Computer Numerical Control knows the object of its operation from the name. The computer is the carrying tool for conveying operation instructions, and the digital code is a freely defined instruction. The process and control of digital instructions communicate specified behaviors to computers. Then the computer realizes the operation of the numerical control machine and completes the production task.
This blog post mentions the benefits, how it works, and the industries that involves. Of course, there are other aspects of NC information in this article that you need to continue reading and exploring.
What is CNC?
What is CNC? After understanding the definition of CNC, Tirapid had to mention the reason for the existence of CNC.
The rapid development of the times makes the manual labor mode unable to meet the technical height and personalized production requirements required for production.
In the torrent of the times, technicians have made a lot of efforts in updating production equipment. When the new numerical control production mode enters the manufacturing industry, it changes the traditional production efficiency and capacity.
Through continuous technological upgrading, CNC is more and more suitable for industrial development needs. Therefore, CNC has always served our production and exists in our production activities.
Advantages Of CNC
You know CNCs exist, and you might be wondering why CNCs are in such high demand. Then in this blog post on what is CNC, you will be enlightened by the advantages of CNC.
1. Numerical control ensures precision standards. In CNC operations, the operator calibrates the working position of the cutting tool and the machine tool. And through the positioning operation to implement strict tolerance machining. Then the equipment monitors the quality of the work to ensure that the product meets the standard accuracy.
2. CNC ensures consistent production. CNC machine tools are one of the processing equipment for mass production by manufacturers. The precise operation of mass-manufactured products on the machine tool can achieve the effect of consistent quality and shape.
3. CNC reduces misoperation. Human intervention is a common way of operation in traditional processing. CNC uses design and auxiliary software to regulate the operation. The operation automates the processing of the products, reducing the operational failures caused by humans.
4. Numerical control breaks through technical challenges. The CNC can reach the accuracy range of +/-0.01mm and the processing requirements such as thread making and tapping. Complex processing features are a great challenge to traditional manufacturing techniques.
5. CNC enables innovative possibilities. Numerical control meets prototype custom projects with a variety of operating techniques. It allows engineering designers to make more changes and innovations to products. Traditional craftsmanship is not enough to meet the innovative conditions of diversified production.
6. CNC reduces production costs. machining serves the final finished product through monitoring or feedback. It sags the rework probability of defective products and reduces the time and cost of human operation.
The advantages of CNC are countless, and the above are just some of its significant benefits. By understanding this blog post, you will find more exciting things about CNC.
CNC Operating Procedure
The operation of the CNC system is for the processed products to meet the design conditions for production, but how does it perform operations? Through the following process, you will have a clear idea of the working principle of CNC.
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Design
When the processing plant receives the customer order, the design experts will use CAD software to research and design the product drawings.
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Programming
Programming is the next step in design. At this stage, engineers use CAM software to convert operation instructions into machine language (G code) to ensure accurate execution of machining operations.
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Setup
This step is to install specific fixtures and tools at the appropriate places on the machine tool. Its approach prevents machined products from shifting from the machine tool during operation.
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Transmission
In general, the data is sent from the computer to the control system of the machine tool through the network or USB transmission.
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Feedback
After performing the operation, the engineer adjusts the tool information and the cutting condition of the machine tool through the sensor feedback system.
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Inspection
In the last step of CNC operation, experts will inspect the accuracy, quality, specifications, and other aspects of the finished product.
CNC Machine Tools
As an automated operating system, CNC performs processing tasks by running machines. Machine tools will make corresponding operations by receiving CNC commands. Here is a blog post on what is CNC to introduce you to machining operations:
1. 3~5 Axis Milling Machine
They process CNC products in a multi-axial manner. The CNC company will provide customers with suggestions on choosing 3~5-axis machine tools according to their processing conditions and budget.
2. Lathe Machine
It is a lathe that uses material reduction as its operating method. Products through turning operations can reach ±0.01mm, which has processing advantages in round and cylindrical processing features.
3. EDM Machine
It is a machine tool capable of handling firm materials and deep cavity machining operations. One thing worth noting is that it is not suitable for processing plastics.
4. Boring Machine
It is one of the machine tools mainly for hole processing operations and includes boring, drilling, reaming, and other processing operations.
5. Swiss Lathe
It is a machine tool that processes material with automated infeed, capable of non-stop CNC operations. It has significant advantages in handling slender and small workpieces.
Waterjet Cutting Machine
It is an environmentally friendly machine for precise cutting by adjusting the water pressure. And its operation does not generate heat, avoiding the risk of heat damage to the product.
When it comes to CNC, people tend to associate machine tools in their minds. But CNC and CNC machine tools are two different concepts. In a sense, the scope of CNC covers the content of CNC machine tools.
Industry Application Of CNC
All walks of life have different product standards, precision, and production requirements. If you are very interested in CNC, you should first understand the application industry behind it in the blog post about what is CNC.
Machined parts for the automotive industry :
Chassis, gears, fuel injectors, piston rings, shift knobs, valve retainers, ignition system components, fluid connectors, engine mounts, turbocharger components, camshaft sprockets
Products in the electronics industry include:
Microelectronic package lids, connector pins, SMT solder stencils, heat sinks for electronic devices, PCB test fixtures, sensor housings, switches and buttons, battery contacts, terminal blocks
Machined medical industry components include:
Surgical instrument handles, orthodontic brackets, implant abutments, hearing aid components, catheter connectors, pacemaker housings, microfluidic device components, medical tubing connectors, surgical catheters
Aerospace industry components include:
Aircraft fasteners, sensor mounts, drone components, satellite connectors, avionic enclosures, flight control sticks, fuselage clips and clamps, instrument panel components, wingtip lights
CNC machined robot components:
Manipulator fingers, actuator brackets, motor brackets, drive pulleys, couplings, linear guide brackets, conveyor belt components, robot end effector components, and control panel housings.
As a digital control system for service production, numerical control is used in technology and equipment to create value for products in each industry. Tirapid’s service objects are not limited to the above industries. If you have processing problems, you can send drawings or PDF files for business consultation.
Material Selection for CNC
Materials cooperate with the manufacturer’s suggestions and production needs to serve the final product effect. The following are the materials that Tirapid can work on in machining.
Metal
- Aluminum: grades include 6061, 7075, 2024, 5052, and 6063.
- Stainless Steel: grades include 304, 316, 420, 301, and 201.
- Carbon Steel: grades include 1018, 1045, 4140, 12L14, and 1010.
- Brass: grades include: C360, C464, C260, C220, C230.
- Copper: grades include: C110, C101, C122, C182, Cu-ETP.
- Titanium: grades include titanium 6AL-4V, titanium Grade 2, and Titanium Grade 5.
- Tool Steel: grades include A2, D2, and M2.
Plastic:
- Acrylic, ABS, PVC, Nylon, POM, PEEK, PP, PC, etc.
- Other materials include wood, foam, rubber, glass, etc.
Cost of CNC Machining
When you are confused about what is CNC, it is also a way to understand the cost of CNC. So, do you know the cost of operations? The following is what the cost of includes:
1. Material cost
CNC processing materials will issue different price standards according to diverse suppliers. There will also be cost differences between the grades and purchase amounts of varying materials.
2. Machine Setup Cost
Before the operation, the tool assembly, programming cutting path, design verification, and other operations done by the engineer are one-time costs.
3. CNC Operation Cost
The hourly time rate of machine tools will produce different prices under different conditions. It includes conditions such as the type of machine, the difficulty of the job, and the operator’s operating wages.
4. Secondary Processing Costs
The cost generated by secondary processing operations is based on the surface conditions and actual requirements of products.
5. Additional Costs
Additional costs include CNC facility maintenance costs, management costs, and public operating costs.
If you are thinking about the cost of CNC machining in China, you can refer to Tirapid’s blog post on the cost of CNC machining. You can find tips for saving your machining.
Why Choose Our CNC Services
Tirapid’s CNC Service is a professional company that achieves the ultimate quality in global numerical factories and platforms. Among the on-demand personalized services, Tirapid has first-hand material resources.
Whether you are customizing prototypes or have special processing needs in micro-machining, Tirapid’s professional team is willing to issue solutions for you. In our opinion, there is no need to worry about your budget. Our service purpose is to enable every consulting company to get a cheap and fair price.
Conclusion
After reading this blog post about what is CNC, I believe you have enough understanding of the basics of CNC. Our manufacturing has become convenient and efficient due to numerical, which shows how important numerical is. We expect that with the development of the times, CNC will bring more valuable experiences to human beings.
FAQs
Can CNC work on wood and rubber?
Numerical machinable materials include wood and rubber. Engineers only need to be equipped with suitable working machines and techniques for wood and rubber materials. They are enough to meet your production requirements and standards.
What material is easiest for CNC?
CNC has no special requirements for the type of material. Many materials are easy to perform operations. There are references to the material in this blog post on what is CNC. It includes aluminum, steel, copper, brass, PVC, POM, PEEK, etc. Therefore, it is difficult for Tirapid to give an exact answer to the question of what material is the easiest for CNC.Related content is mentioned in this blog post about what is CNC.
How accurate and precise is CNC machining?
Computer numerical control Machining can achieve different levels of precision depending on the manufacturer and machining conditions.
Processed products refer to the engineer’s suggestion to make reasonable precision requirements to create the best manufacturing effect for the component. In this respect, Tirapid experts can achieve a precision level of ±0.01mm or even higher.