Wednesday 31 December 2008

Learn CNC Machining

CNC

CNC Machining refers to any process that uses a CNC machine. This could be for routing, milling, drilling, or other types of work that is done with metal, wood or other materials. This is a manufacturing process that uses the automatic opportunity from the computer to create shapes or forms that must be precise.

Raw materials are used and they are put into a CNC machine that uses cutting tools to make these shapes. The CNC machining process involves computers that have at least one microprocessor and several units for storage. With CAD or CAM software systems added to CNC the computer can be programmed to produce the precise movements that are able to create the part.

In CNC machining the process is automated which saves the operator time and saves the business money. The operator is able to load the materials, program the machine and then the machine can work without attention when set up properly; the amount of time it is run without attention is also programmed in.

An important aspect of any Machining is for the operator to know the machine well. CNC is an addition to the general aspects of the machine. As an example, if you are doing routing, adding CNC to the process only automates it. However, for the operator, it means that they must understand the machine, how to put in codes or use CAD or CAM and how to operate the machine; they must also understand how basic routing works.

Another area that is important in order to understand CNC Machining is the basic components of the machine. Like anything around the house that you need working you need to have these machines operate at all times which means you really need to know how they operate in order to be able to fix them if something goes wrong. You really want the operator to get the most out of the machine and you really want that operator to know the limitations and capabilities of the machine in order to do this.

As CNC machining becomes a project the operator is in charge defining five areas. They will first think about the project they want to design and plan it out. Sometimes the best way is to really sit down and draw out some plans which seems old fashioned, but it works.

The next area is to understand CAD to translate the drawing into the computer and then an understanding of CAM to translate the CAD information into machine language. In the final area the individual must understand the Controlling function in order to make the machine do what is required. When all these areas are fulfilled properly they allow the individual to create the project in the way they saw it in their drawing.

CNC machining was traditionally only done in commercial settings with very large CNC machines. Today, there are mini-CNC machines that allow the process to be done on a smaller scale in a home workshop. What is nice is that now even a smaller business can take advantage of building parts and projects on a much smaller scale and where not available to them before unless it was a larger scale.

CNC machining can produce both simple and complex designs and can be used on a variety of materials including aluminum, foam, wood and other metals.


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