CNC stands for computerised numerical control. It is a technique that carries a broad range of computerised manufacturing tasks. Before the CNC machines came into existence, people used Computer Aided Machining (CAM) and Computer Aided Design (CAD), but these were merely old-school manual machines.

CNC machines use a programming language to carry out different tasks with a high degree of accuracy. These machines improve productivity, thanks to their automated control.

Type of CNC machines

There are many types of CNC machines that are designed to do varying tasks. The following are some of the most popular machines:

Milling Machine

Milling machines use CNC technology that removes inbuilt mechanisms from the machine to help people operate smoothly, such as Digital Read Out and hand wheels electronics. Normally, the old lead crews are replaced with new sophisticated models and new mounts as well.

Pick and Place Machine

This machine uses the same setup as a CNC laser cutter. It contains several tiny nozzles that capture electrical waves and move to the intended spot and place the waves there,

CNC Laser Cutter

CNC laser cutters work the same way as the plasma cutter. The only difference between the two is that the laser cutter uses less force. They are ideal for cutting metal, plastic and wood. Each material would need different laser strengths to cut them.

How CNC Machining works

When you activate a CNC system, you program the desired cuts into the software and issue directives to the corresponding machinery and tools, which carry out tasks just as you have instructed. They act like robots.

In programming, the numerical system contains a code generator that assumes all the mechanisms are smooth, disregarding any errors. Typically, a tool is placed in the numerical control system through a process called a part program.

The numerical control machine allows punch cards to feed in programs, but the programs for the actual machines are inputted through the tiny keyboard. The programming remains in the PC's memory. Usually, programmers write and edit the codes. For this reason, CNC systems allow for an expansive computation capacity. Another great feature to note is that CNC systems are not static because you can add new commands to the existing ones via revised codes.

Why CNC Machining is important

As aforementioned, CNC machines work in many fields. Military groups, hobbyists, manufacturers and so forth can take advantage of the economical accrued by using these machines to convert raw materials to final products. Lastly, CNC machining is safe, faster and efficient.