What is a CNC Machine?

CNC stands for Laptop Numeric Control. Sounds complicated, but it isn't. Years ago, it was simply NC, or Numeric Control. Since, they've added computer systems to control the machine.

In the simplest of phrases, think of a drill press. It's a machine that drills holes. However before you'll be able to drill the opening, you must loosen the chuck, install the right drill bit, drill the outlet within the right place, turn off the drill, and take away the drill bit. Manually, this may very well be time consuming and cause fatigue over the course of quite a few parts. This is a simple instance, but throw in some lathe or milling machining and you have a higher probability for error.

With the CNC machine, all of this drilling can be completed routinely instead of the guide process listed above. Machining must be precise, and whether you employ a CNC lathe or milling machine, you must make sure the part is right. The computer takes a lot of the guesswork out of the machining of these parts. In truth, a CNC programmer can sometimes get bored watching the machine do all of the work.

But there is more programming for the machine than you would think. The operator has to enter a set of instructions. The programming uses about 50 words and tells the machine how fast, how deep, and location for machining.

What are you able to do with a CNC machine? In manufacturing, you need to use this tool for milling, drilling, reaming, boring and counter boring. You can also groove and thread components in a CNC turning center. You will have several setups including CNC lathes, CNC drill and faucet area, CNC milling, or even CNC grinding.

EDM (electrical discharge machining) may take advantage of CNC operations. EDM will be both vertical or wire. A vertical EDM machine uses an electrode to make a cavity for a plastic injection-molding machine. A wire EDM machine makes use of a wire to cut steel for a tooling operation for fabrication. EDM is more closely related to making tooling for other machines, people often overlook the use of CNC with these machines.

CNC machines can be used with routers within the wood industry. CNC can also be used with lettering and engraving.

I hope this gave you some primary information about what a CNC machine is and what they are used for.