(Newswire.net — September 25, 2019) — Manufacturing is an interesting field from a geeks’ perspective. Technology is absolutely pivotal to it and always has been. We’re not just talking about electronics either. Throughout human history, our approach to manufacturing has reflected the technologies of the time. Automation has led to many people seeing technology as something that is encroaching upon the manufacturing industry and it is often portrayed as a destructive force.
However, automation once simply referred to machines that performed the same repetitive motions over and over again. Today, modern software and hardware combinations have enabled us to envisage, design, and build far more complex manufacturing machines. Advances in the field of manufacturing have had beneficial effects that ripple out through numerous other industries, enabling them to make ever more sophisticated designs a reality.
CNC machining is the culmination of centuries of technological advancements in the field of manufacturing. Archaeologists believe that the oldest machined tool we know of dates back to 700 BC, long before machines as we think of them today first appeared on the scene. But what exactly is CNC? And why is it such a transformative technology?
Computer Numerical Control
Despite being able to trace its roots back to the earliest days of commercialized manufacturing, CNC machining wouldn’t be possible without a number of much more modern technologies. CNC machining is a pre-programmed manufacturing process – one that is directed by a CAD/CAM setup. It is based on the subtractive method – making objects by cutting away at a material until it is in the desired shape.
Until quite recently, any business looking to take advantage of CNC manufacturing would have to pay for the services of a business with access to this relatively specialized technology. However, that is a situation that is rapidly changing as a growing number of businesses are choosing to invest in their own CNC machines. Businesses who aren’t ready to take the plunge and invest in their own CNC machining equipment can use businesses like RapidDirect to benefit from CNC machining at a fraction of the cost. RapidDirect is China’s largest CNC manufacturing network, providing its services to customers around the globe.
CNC Machining Materials
Modern materials science is a fascinating field. Not only do we now have a profound understanding of the materials that comprise the physical world around us, but we have also developed the capabilities to produce materials that have very specific properties. As the range of materials used in manufacturing continues to expand, manufacturers are looking for versatile machines that will be able to handle various materials. CNC machines are mostly used with either metal or plastic.
Metal is mostly valued for its strength and resilience, although some metals are remarkably soft, even liquid in one case. When prototyping, businesses will often substitute more expensive metal components with ones built using a cheaper alternative. Aluminum is the most popular choice – it is lightweight yet durable and also has excellent electrical and thermal conductivity.
In some cases, plastics are preferred over metals. Like the term metal, the term plastic can be used to refer to any one of a number of different materials, many of which have very different properties to one another. Plastic is generally lighter than metal and provides strong electrical insulation, preventing all but the most powerful currents from passing through. Plastic is cheap and easy to work with, making it an ideal material to use during the prototyping process.
CNC Machine Types
There are two main types of CNC machines on the market today; 3-axis and 5-axis. These numbers refer to the number of directional axes that the material being milled can be manipulated in. In both cases, the piece being worked on is held in place by the machine while the tools are bought to its surface in order to work on it. The material may start as a solid cube, but by strategically cutting away at it, just about any shape or design can be rendered.
5-axis machines are more precise and are designed to handle more fiddly operations. While CNC machining is popular for prototyping, it is also used to produce a number of finished pieces. Oftentimes, products that are bound for the market will require a more precise manufacturing process than the prototype.
5-axis machines are more versatile and can perform more operations without any kind of input from the user. But while the manual labor costs associated with a 5-axis machine are lower than a 3-axis, which needs someone to occasionally remove and reseat the material inside, the initial costs of the machine are higher.
CNC machining is providing manufacturers with a much more convenient and sustainable way of rapid prototyping. Manufacturing businesses that want to remain competitive need to keep up with the latest advances in tech. In the near future, that means equipping themselves with CNC machines. As this manufacturing technique becomes the standard, manufacturers are going to have to up their game.