CNC machining is the best technique for mass fabricating metal and plastic parts. CNC machining has remained one of the most common options for various fabrication needs, even as other manufacturing techniques like 3D printing have gained popularity in recent years. The production of complex and essential parts and components for the aircraft sector heavily depends on CNC machining services.
What is CNC Machining?
The term CNC refers to computer numerical control. So, any computer-controlled machining technique is considered CNC machining. Instead of manual machining, computerized automation enables the production of parts with more complicated geometries and higher speed, accuracy, and precision. Additionally, CNC machining services eliminate the need for human labour in manual machining. Even though they aren’t the ones cutting each part, people are crucial for programming and running the machinery, which keeps everything running smoothly.
military defense parts*
How Does CNC Machining Operate?
G-code is used to write CNC machining programs, often generated automatically by CAM software. CAM software, for computer-aided manufacturing, creates the G-code for a 3D model using pre-determined tools and workpiece materials. This G-code regulates the movement of the machine tool, the workpiece, and tool changes. Even orders to operate the coolant and other auxiliary components get included.
Aluminium, steel, brass, ABS, Delrin, and nylon are among the materials most frequently machined with CNC. CNC machining can get done on practically any hard material.
Types of CNC machines
CNC Milling
The workpiece is held firmly on the machine bed during CNC milling. A cutting instrument with a high rate of spin is also present. Depending on the number of axes in your machine, the tool and the bed will move in different directions. For instance, the bed will move left to right and back and forth on a typical 3-axis machine while the tool goes up and down.
CNC Turning
Most axially symmetric components are turned using CNC technology. A cutting tool in the machine goes front to back and side to side as the workpiece rapidly rotates. It may be quicker and less expensive per unit to machine items on a lathe as opposed to a mill.
CNC EDM
Electric discharge machining can take many forms, including wire EDM, sinker EDM, and hole drilling EDM. A conductive workpiece is necessary for each of these operations. The workpiece works as the other electrode while the tool acts as one electrode. A rise in voltage between the two causes an electric arc to pass through the dielectric liquid in which they get submerged. It results in the required final geometry by removing material from the electrodes.
CNC Gear Hobbing
Making gears can be done in a variety of ways. Materials of many different types can get used to creating functional gears. Gear hobbing can get used on different materials other than only metals. Gear hobbing gets done on a hobbing machine, a unique milling machine with a cutting tool called a hob. This hob forms the gear’s keys, or splines, by gradually eroding at the gear blank.
Reference
*Image from https://www.dajinprecision.com/