CNC Machining: What You Need to Know
Computers drive virtually every industry these days, and machining is no exception.
Ever since people have built things, they’ve looked for ways to build them more precisely and more quickly. When it comes to accurate and rapid manufacturing, you’d be hard pressed to find a more reliable method than CNC machining.
Just as it sounds, computerized numerical control — more commonly known as CNC machining — is a manufacturing process that utilizes computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) programs to control the movement of production equipment.
Machinists and operators use CNC machining for every phase of a product’s creation, from concept and design to programming and production of the finished product. Each day, these skilled technicians rely on CNC to produce countless intricate parts for dozens of industries, including electronics, manufacturing, health care, transportation, marine, aerospace, defense, and oil and gas.
How It Works
Unlike “old-school” manufacturing devices operated by hand wheels and levers, CNC machines are automated. Machinists use CAD software to design each part, then use CAM software to program the CNC machine with the specific measurements — like feed rate, speed, location, and coordination — required to produce it.
There are various types of CNC machines, and the type needed can vary based on the design of the specific part, as well as the type of material needed to make it. For example, parts made with sheet metal require cutting and stamping machines, while plastic parts call for milling and turning machines.
Benefits
Operators can manually input a new design into the computer each time they need to create a part, or save time by using a CAM program to scan a prototype. They can also save designs for future use. This ability to reuse designs and make multiple copies of the same part or product not only helps to greatly reduce human error, but it also helps to speed up the manufacturing process.
While CNC’s precision cutting is useful for producing countless parts both big and small, it is especially useful for creating small parts for use in electronics, firearms, computers, aerospace technology, and other intricate systems. Not only is it easier to design and cut these tiny parts via CNC than by hand, but there are some parts with specifications so small that manual production is simply impossible.
Cost
Many factors can affect the cost of CNC manufacturing.
For starters, the more complex the design, the higher the cost. This is not only due to how long it takes to design the product, but the type of CNC machine needed to produce it.
Materials matter, too. For example, metal is typically more expensive than plastic. Suppliers also typically charge per a full block of material, so it’s important to get as many parts out of one block as possible. Different finishes cost different amounts, as well, due to their appearance and/or durability.
Perhaps the biggest cost — or, more accurately, cost savings — associated with CNC is labor. While the initial software setup and product design can be substantial, CNC can often greatly reduce or even eliminate the need for a large staff.
Note: While labor costs can increase depending on the size of (and time needed to complete) an order, some of those costs can often be offset by the savings realized by placing bigger orders.
