In 1769, a man named Richard Arkwright filed a patent request to the US Patent Office. He had invented a specialized water frame. After a short while, he had built the Cromford Mill, which would become the first-ever operational cotton-spinning factory in the world. Much has changed since then.
Nearly 200 years later, the age of CNC machining began. Everything changed when Richard Kegg developed a project in partnership with MIT in 1952. They created the Cincinnati Milacromn Hydrotel, which would be the first CNC machining technology in history. Today, modern manufacturing could not achieve what it has without the help of CNC machines. So, what is CNC machining exactly, and how can your production process benefit from this groundbreaking manufacturing method?
What Is CNC Machining?
In a nutshell, CNC machining is a manufacturing technique that is able to quickly and precisely produce products from high-grade materials. However, there are various different modes of CNC machining, with the three main and most utilized ones including:
CNC milling is a machining method that uses rotating multipoint cutting tools and computerized controls to remove material from a workpiece to generate custom-designed parts or components. In most cases, these machines operate on three linear degrees of freedom.
CNC Turning is a manufacturing technique in which materials are held in position and rotated to allow a tool to subtract material until it reaches the desired form. The device is connected to a turret programmed to move around the material bars.
EDM or Electrical Discharge Machining is a non-traditional machining technique that involves removing material from a part by a series of repetitive electrical discharges between electrodes and the piece being machined in the presence of a dielectric fluid.
Now that you have a basic overview of CNC Machining read below to find out how your production process can benefit from it.
Abolishing The Need For Producing Prototypes
Prototypes consume a lot of time and resources. The moment you start using CNC machining, a digital twin of both the machine and the product is at your disposal. This removes the need for costly and time-consuming prototypes, potentially saving weeks of manufacturing time for your company. We’re sure you’d agree that your time and energy may be better spent elsewhere, and the cost reductions will undoubtedly assist your company’s bottom line.
Cutting Your Production Costs
Another incentive to consider CNC machining for your company’s bottom line is that it really cuts production costs. First of all, CNC technology requires fewer human resources to operate. Unlike traditional machining, which requires a trained and experienced individual to run each machine, it just takes one qualified worker to supervise the output of numerous CNC machines.
These machines are incredibly fast, accurate and precise – all of this contributes to cost savings by assuring higher quality and more finished items in the same amount of time. Don’t forget that they operate 24/7/365 and only rest up for maintenance.
Improving The Quality Of Your Products
CNC machines are so consistent and accurate and can operate for a long time, doing the same task they were programmed to do without breaking a sweat or experiencing a malfunction. In production, human error is inevitable as even the most skilled and experienced professionals make occasional mistakes.
Automated machines, on the other hand, don’t. CNC machining enhances your products and makes your production process a lot more efficient. The time and money saved can be invested in other business segments.
Making Your Company A Safer Workplace
In the end, not everything has to do with lowering costs and putting in place an efficient and consistent production process. However, when utilizing CNC machining, you invest in a safer workplace.
Old fashioned tools require the worker to position themselves in direct touch with them. This is a hazardous situation, and injuries are very frequent. On the other hand, workers who operate on the CNC machines are positioned farther away from them at a more appropriate distance. There is no doubt that CNC machines are far safer than traditional ones. As a result, your workers will be more content and won’t worry about their workplace health.
Final Thoughts
The benefits from utilizing CNC machining in your production process greatly outweigh the costs of hiring a company that operates them. The efficiency, precision, and time-saving can make your company a fierce competitor in the manufacturing markets. Today, many companies worldwide offer CNC machining services, but China leads the way.
Chinese companies have been investing in workers and production capacities consistently for decades. When you research the market for your next production process, bear that in mind. Even though there are considerable transportation costs, Chinese CNC machining companies have proven to be one of the best manufacturers out there, offering excellent quality for remarkably affordable prices.
