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 electronic controller reads commands that are stored into an embedded or inserted medium and executes them consecutively. These commands concern the cutting or milling head movement as well as the rotation speed of the miller, chuck or "live" tool. Besides reading commands, modern CNCs can also analyze a 3D CAD model and generate the proper sequence of commands to materialize it.
Main Advantages
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. As CNC machines run by themselves, workshops can dismiss most of their current personnel and keep only supervising staff.
2. CNC supervisors only need a minimum of technical training to cope with their responsibilities while machinists of the past required extended periods of practice before they could become productive.
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. While human operators need frequent breaks and can only work for a certain period of time, CNCs know no limits as to how long they can keep producing items without stopping. Apart from short periods of maintenance, CNCs can work day and night without any problem.
5. Items that require extensive measuring and accurate dimensioning take a lot of manufacturing time for a machinist no matter how many of those were produced in the past. CNCs, however, can quickly produce the same item countless times and without any geometrical deviations among the produced pieces.
6. CNCs that feature "live" tools can materialize items that pose a challenge to even the most experienced machinists out there.
7. Multi-tasking CNCs combine tools and processing techniques from various machines, making it possible for items that would otherwise pass from a series of processing in different machines to be produced in one. This decreases the production times for such items and eventually increases a workshop's efficiency.
Possible Drawbacks
As advantageous as CNC machine tools may be, there are certainly some possible drawbacks that should be considered before buying one.
1. The increased cost of acquisition of those automated machines is the main suspensive factor. The expected median profit and ROI must be carefully considered before buying a CNC. This high cost though is gradually decreasing as open source software tools are made available.
2. Secondly, there is the lack of engineering and calculative skills in a workshop. As the need for those is eliminated by the CNC machine's automated nature, workshops may slowly become incapacitated in regards to the technical abilities of the personnel.
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 electronic controller reads commands that are stored into an embedded or inserted medium and executes them consecutively. These commands concern the cutting or milling head movement as well as the rotation speed of the miller, chuck or "live" tool. Besides reading commands, modern CNCs can also analyze a 3D CAD model and generate the proper sequence of commands to materialize it.
Main Advantages
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. As CNC machines run by themselves, workshops can dismiss most of their current personnel and keep only supervising staff.
2. CNC supervisors only need a minimum of technical training to cope with their responsibilities while machinists of the past required extended periods of practice before they could become productive.
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. While human operators need frequent breaks and can only work for a certain period of time, CNCs know no limits as to how long they can keep producing items without stopping. Apart from short periods of maintenance, CNCs can work day and night without any problem.
5. Items that require extensive measuring and accurate dimensioning take a lot of manufacturing time for a machinist no matter how many of those were produced in the past. CNCs, however, can quickly produce the same item countless times and without any geometrical deviations among the produced pieces.
6. CNCs that feature "live" tools can materialize items that pose a challenge to even the most experienced machinists out there.
7. Multi-tasking CNCs combine tools and processing techniques from various machines, making it possible for items that would otherwise pass from a series of processing in different machines to be produced in one. This decreases the production times for such items and eventually increases a workshop's efficiency.
Possible Drawbacks
As advantageous as CNC machine tools may be, there are certainly some possible drawbacks that should be considered before buying one.
1. The increased cost of acquisition of those automated machines is the main suspensive factor. The expected median profit and ROI must be carefully considered before buying a CNC. This high cost though is gradually decreasing as open source software tools are made available.
2. Secondly, there is the lack of engineering and calculative skills in a workshop. As the need for those is eliminated by the CNC machine's automated nature, workshops may slowly become incapacitated in regards to the technical abilities of the personnel.
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 a wide range of cnc machining tools. Learn more on their website about their cnc machines for sale, including lathes, deep hole drilling machines, boring machines and more!
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