Do you know about CNC machines? They are electro-mechanical machines popular for making parts for various industries all around the world. The CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control. CNC machines create things out of hard materials like plastic, aluminium, wood, metals, and many more. The process of making parts of different shapes out of solid material using a computer-based machine is known as CNC machining. It is a process in which pre-programmed computer software dictates the movement of machines for manufacturing various tools. A CNC machine is capable of autonomously performing the operations of CNC machining. The CNC machine depends on digital instructions given by particular software. There are many types of CNC machines present.
Various Types Of CNC Machines
The most commonly used machines in the CNC system include the following.
- Water jet cutters- Water jets are tools used to cut hard materials like metals with high-pressure water application. Sometimes, an abrasive substance like sand is mixed with water. It is an alternative for some substances that are unable to bear the heat of other CNC machines. The water jet cutters are used for application requiring very intricate cuts, as the lack of heat prevents any change in the intrinsic properties of the material.
- Electric discharge machines (EDM) – It is a process that moulds workpieces into desired shapes using electric sparks that occurs between two electrodes. The workpiece is placed between electrodes, as the electrodes come closer the electric field becomes more intense. Consequently, some portions of a workpiece are removed by each electrode to mould into a particular shape. EDM includes two subtypes: wire electric discharge machine (uses spark erosions to remove portions) and sinker electric discharge machine (uses an electrode and workpiece soaked in dielectric fluid).
- Plasma cutters- In plasma cutters, the plasma torch made by a combination of compressed air gas and electrical arcs is used to cut the material.
- Lathes- In lathe machines, the materials are cut in a circular direction. These cuts are employed precisely with high velocity. CNC lathes are used to make complex designs that are not possible manually.
- CNC mills- In CNC mills, the pieces are guided across various directions using number and letter-based programs. The basic mills usually comprise of three-axis X, Y, and Z. The newer mills can include three additional axes.
- CNC drilling machines- These machines are usually used for mass production. They have a multi-function machining centre that is mingled and twisted. This type of machine can perform reaming, counterboring, and taping holes.
There is a wide range of CNC machines, the above discussed are just a few of them. CNC machines are managed by computers to increase productivity and decrease waste. Using CNC machines also reduces the risk of human error. A CNC machining system consists of various elements like a program, tape reader, machine tool, servo system, and mini-computer. A cnc drilling machine is the most commonly used machine that cuts through direct physical contact. Working with CNC machines requires special knowledge and a special type of skills.