The world of computer numerical control (CNC) machining is diverse, and various types of CNC machines are customized for specific applications. From aerospace to medicine, many different types of businesses use CNC machines to manufacture their products. Often controlled by computers, these complex machines can achieve efficiency, accuracy, and consistency that is not possible with manual processes.
Operations that were impossible many years ago are made possible by CNC machining. These CNC machines can create many different parts, and they can cut and shape materials with precision. Different types of CNC machines are available to meet specific machining needs. They demonstrate the versatility and precision of CNC technology in modern manufacturing.
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What do CNC Machines do?
CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control. The computer software that runs the machine uses a mathematical coordinate system to tell the different tools on the machine what to do in different directions. This method is more precise and efficient than manual machining.
To make a certain product, the tools can cut, mill, drill, tap, and shape metal. Many people confuse CNC tools with 3D printers. However, while CNC tools create products by cutting material from a larger piece of material, 3D printers create products by adding material.
CNC tools can work with metals such as steel and aluminum, as well as wood, plastics, foam, composites, and more.
What Can CNC Machines do?
CNC machines can do many things. Large companies in many fields use CNC machines because they can quickly and correctly make many different things from jewelry to electronic parts. There are many types of CNC machines, such as industrial machines and hobby machines.
Here are some of the most popular industrial CNC machines:
- Router machine: Router machines are known for getting the job done fast and well. They are great for making complex things because they have three to six axes for machining parts quickly.
- Routers: this is one of the biggest CNC machines you can buy. It has three to six axes and removes material by milling, tapping, drilling, and turning.
- Lathe: This is a small, portable machine that shapes objects by cutting material as it rotates.
- Plasma cutter: A plasma torch melts the material that the plasma cutter needs to cut. It works best on solid materials such as steel.
- Electrical Discharge: The worker places the workpiece between two electrodes and the machine calculates how much power is needed to cut the material away.
- Laser cutting machine: As the name suggests, this machine uses a laser to cut and shape the material. The laser is set up to work best with the medium.
Many hobbyists purchase small CNC milling tools. Most hobbyist tools can only process soft materials such as plastic and wood. If you need to cut and process metal materials, then you should seek the help of a professional CNC mill.
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Types and roles of CNC machines
There are many types of CNC machines. The machines used by machinists will change depending on the project and the materials used.
To help you understand what a CNC machine is, we will list the different types of machines here. These impressive tools can make many different things. As a result, there are many different types of CNC machines in use every day.
CNC Milling Machines
The CNC milling machine is one of the most popular types of CNC machine tools. It cuts different types of materials through computer control. Milling machines can move grinding wheels in different ways by translating specific alphabetic and numeric programs.
As mentioned earlier, G-code is a standard computer language that most CNC machines understand and use. Many milling machines use it. Face milling, shoulder milling, cutting, drilling, and turning are just a few of the many things a CNC milling machine can do. Many CNC mills can be set up with three to six axes.
CNC mills are larger than most tools and come with a hefty price tag. A few companies that commonly manufacture CNC cutters are Okuma, HAAS, and DMG Mori.
CNC Lathe
A lathe is a CNC machine that cuts pieces of metal in a rotating process. Using different tools, CNC lathes can make precise cuts quickly.
As far as accuracy is concerned, these CNC tools are much better than manual lathes. In most cases, CNC lathes have fewer gears than CNC mills, making them smaller and easier to store.
The controllers for CNC lathes are very similar to those for CNC mills in that they can read G-code and other specialized computer languages. The frame of a CNC lathe is the same as that of a manual lathe.
CNC Routers
CNC routers are much like the handheld cutters that most people use to cut various materials. This CNC machine can help cut steel, wood, metal, composites, foam, plastic, and steel.
A CNC router is similar to a CNC milling machine. It comes with a computerized numerical control (CNC) that sets up the tool paths to make the machine work properly. CNC routers can produce more products in less time than other machines, which reduces waste and increases production.
Most routers are capable of machining a certain type of material in all three dimensions. They are great for small projects, making prototypes, and creating more complex patterns. There are also three-, four-, five- and six-axis routers.
CNC Plasma Cutting Machines
When performing plasma cutting, a plasma torch is used to cut the object. This type of cutting is mainly used to cut heavy objects such as steel and other metals.
On a CNC plasma cutting machine, gas is quickly ejected from a tube. During this process, an electric arc is formed between the gas coming out of the nozzle and the surface being cut.
During this process, some of the gas becomes plasma, which has a temperature of between 10,000 and 50,000 degrees. The plasma is hot enough to melt the object being cut. It also blows away the metal that was melted during the cut.
CNC plasma cutters and CNC routers are very similar in size and shape. These tools can cut shapes that have only two dimensions.
CNC Electrical Discharge Machines
EDM stands for “Electrical Discharge Machining.” This method utilizes electrical discharges or sparks to carve out specific shapes in the material.
In this method, material is stripped from a particular workpiece by delivering a steady current between two electrodes. Between these electrodes, there is a dielectric fluid that usually generates a voltage. After placing the material between the two electrodes of the machine, the machine calculates how much electricity needs to be discharged at each electrode.
CNC Laser Cutting Machines
These machines are similar to CNC plasma cutting machines. The only difference is that lasers are used for cutting and are great for cutting metals, plastics, and wood. The power of the laser can be changed depending on the density and intensity of the material.
5-Axis CNC Machine Tools
Five-axis CNC machines have two rotary axes in addition to the three linear axes (X, Y, and Z) of a standard machine. This allows the machine to machine five of the six sides of a part simultaneously. Adding trunnions (a tilting and rotating work holding fixture) to the table turns the milling machine into a 3+2 machine, also known as an indexing or positioning machine. This allows the milling cutter to cut into five of the six faces of a prismatic part at an angle of 90°, while the operator can work on the other faces without resetting the part. Five-axis CNC machines are commonly used for statues.
CNC Grinding Machines
A grinding CNC machine is a high-precision tool with an abrasive wheel that rotates and cuts metal from metal. Most often, CNC grinding tools are used for precise finishing of camshafts, ball bearings, drive shafts, and other workpieces. Many of the things made with CNC grinders are cylindrical.
CNC Machines with Automatic Tool Changing
This type of CNC machine increases the number of tools that can be accommodated, increases the speed of machining, and allows the use of multiple tools for machining. It allows for quick and easy tool changes and can also handle broken or worn tools.
This type of CNC machine reduces idle time during the cutting process. A CNC machine that can change tools automatically is a big step towards full automation.
CNC 3D Printers
A 3D printer, also known as an additive manufacturing machine, is a CNC machine that prints elements layer by layer. Products are drawn and designed through CAD and CAM methods. The idea is then brought to life using a 3D printer. 3d printer CNC machines are often used to test ideas.
How to Choose the Best Type of CNC Machine
You can choose the best type of CNC machine if you know what materials and what CNC process you want to use. The weight of the machine, the working area, the speed, the ease of changing parts and the power consumption are all important factors to consider.
Metals such as aluminum, polymer composites, and cast iron are commonly used to build CNC machines. Cast iron is the best material to use when you need a sturdy machine for tough jobs. Other materials are better suited for less heavy work.
The CNC machine you buy should be larger than the space your goods will take up. The radius of the machine should be larger than the largest piece of material you are cutting. If you want to choose the best type of CNC machine, you should consider the feed rate. It tells you how fast you can cut during the production process.
Just like any other machine, CNC machines can get damaged or worn out over time. You should make sure that you buy a brand that is easy for technicians to fix and easy to find spare parts for. This will reduce machine downtime.
Depending on the machine you choose, you may need to have more power in your shop. So it is important to check the power requirements of your machine and make the necessary changes on the job.
Yonglihao Machinery can perform many different types of production. Examples include CNC machining, laser cutting, and sheet metal fabrication. Contact us to get the information you need.