CNC Machining
Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining is a highly automated process and delivers a high level of accuracy. Tolerance accuracy could be as low as 0.0001 inches. Parts that require precision and high-accuracy use CNC machine machining.
It is also the most cost-effective technique when production volumes are large and the parts are identical. The basic CNC machining process includes the following stages:
- Designing the CAD model using a CAD program (such as SolidWorks)
- Converting the CAD file to a CNC program
- Most typically converting the file to G-Code
- Setting the part up in the CNC machine
- Then executing the machining operations.
Materials that can be used on a CNC machine:
- Aluminum
- Steel Alloys
- Brass
- Nylon
- ABS
- POM/Acetyl
- Wood and Foam (less dense materials)
CNC machining is good for when you need between 10 and 1000s of units of part production. Various CNC machines used in industry:
- Milling Operations
- Lathe Operations
- Plasma Cutters
- Electric Discharge Machines
- Water Jet Cutters
- 3D Printers
- Laser Cutters
- Glass Cutters
- Wood Routers