CNC machines (Computer Numerical Control) can process almost any material and provide precision, repeatability and high quality of detail production as well as short lead times. For this reason, CNC machining is a very cost-effective and versatile manufacturing process currently used in virtually every industry - from aviation and aerospace to education and jewelry making, from mass production to short runs and prototypes, from large industrial halls to small workshops and repair facilities. Its applications are almost unlimited.
Capabilities of CNC Machines
The first CNC milling machine was developed in 1952 by Richard Kegg in collaboration with MIT. Five years later, a patent application was filed for a "motor-controlled device for positioning a machine tool" and this date marks the commercial birth of CNC technology.
Currently, CNC machines enable the machining of very complex components, and the process of programming them is greatly facilitated thanks to CAM applications with the function of generating G and M codes.
Over seventy years, CNC technology has dominated production, and the basic areas where it is used include:
Prototyping
CNC machines allow for quick reprogramming of operations performed. After completing the project in a CAM program and generating G and M codes - G codes are responsible for geometry, e.g. for tool feed, while M codes relate to machine configuration, e.g. turning on/off and setting the machine at the starting point - you can send the code to the CNC machine and start production in a short time.
This makes CNC machining ideal for prototyping, regardless of whether the final part will be made using CNC machines or in another process, such as casting. All the more so as multi-axis machining allows for the comprehensive manufacturing of prototype elements.
Production
CNC machines offer a high degree of automation, which reduces labor and associated costs. In turn, the precision and repeatability of operations and material versatility enable the production of high quality, diverse details in a short time. And this regardless of the size and scope of the project.
For example, in many industries, end products are made from thin metal sheets, such as steel or aluminum sheets. CNC machines then perform tasks such as flame or plasma cutting, bending and welding plates, and drilling holes.
Machining
Because CNC technology enables machining of various types of materials, including tool steels and aluminum, it can be used to create metal molds and tooling. For this reason, CNC machines can be used as a complement to the manufacturing process supporting processes such as, for example, the above-mentioned injection molding.
Hybrid Production
CNC machining does not have to be used independently of other production processes. By combining it with other techniques, such as 3D printing or castings, excellent quality parts and products can be obtained. CNC machines can perform, for example, holes and threads in a printed or cast part.
Industries Using CNC Machining
CNC machining is not limited to a single sector. It is used practically everywhere, helping to create many diverse elements, from aircraft parts to surgical tools.
Aviation and Aerospace
The aviation and aerospace industry has been using CNC machines for many years, as high machining precision is crucial for safety. In turn, the diversity of processed materials gives many design possibilities.
Automotive Industry
The automotive industry regularly uses CNC machining during the production of metal cylinder blocks, gears, pins, valves, axles and other details, as well as dashboard elements and indicators made of plastics.
CNC machines are also used to create prototype car parts, as well as spare parts, because lead times are short and there are no restrictions on the minimum amount of parts produced.
Electronics
CNC machining is widely used in prototyping and production of systems and consumer electronics. In the electronics industry, CNC machines are used for precise production of printed circuit boards, soldering components, production of housings, handles and other details.
Defense
The military sector often uses CNC technology when prototyping and producing durable, reliable, low-maintenance parts with a long service life. The ability of CNC machines to manufacture on-demand spare parts and high-quality components is particularly useful here due to the possibility of accommodating constant innovations and security.
Medicine
Because CNC machines can be used to process medically safe materials and enable the production of single, custom-made details, they naturally find application in the medical sector. The precision of CNC machining guarantees high quality of manufactured elements, e.g. surgical instruments, orthoses, implants and medical equipment components.
Education
CNC machines are used not only in production, but also in the education sector, where CNC technology is becoming an integral part of courses dedicated to machining currently available at most universities around the world.
CNC machines can also be used in the wood industry, engraving systems, electrical industry, pharmaceutical, food and many others. Regardless of the industry, they solve many problems related to efficient and precise production of high-quality details.