David Thacker
Compared to traditional manufacturing methods, CNC production has many benefits. Manufacturers in every industry ranging from medical to agriculture and everything in between can use CNC machines to develop large quantities of products that require consistent, accurate, and intricate cuts.
CNC machining has enabled manufacturers to replace engineered-operated equipment with more efficient, precise, and automated machines. This article explores what CNC machining is and why manufacturers need to invest in it.
What’s CNC Machining?
CNC is the abbreviation for Computer Numerical Control and entails using computers to automate machines and execute pre-programmed machine control commands. Manufacturers first developed CNC machines during the Second World War when high-quality parts were urgently required.
Frank Stulen and John Parsons were the first people to develop helicopter blades through numerical controls. When the Airforce learned of Parsons’ and Stulen’s invention, they commissioned research projects that led to creating the first numerically controlled machine.
When To Use CNC Machining
Most people don’t know how to differentiate between conventional and CNC machining. You can use both to achieve the same end, though both have unique advantages and disadvantages that make them ideal for specific cases. CNC machining is more expensive than conventional machining if you intend to produce small quantities of items. However, if you use it to produce mass amounts of products, it’s cheap.
Furthermore, you can choose to use CNC machining instead of conventional machining when your products require precision and consistency. That’s where it excels because it significantly minimizes human error. In fact, through this type of machining, you can achieve very high accuracy levels.
Advantages Of CNC Machining
- Eliminates The Need For Prototypes
Prototypes require a lot of time to develop and design, and producing them is expensive. Using CNC machining can help you skip this process because they have a digital copy of the product and machine, commonly known as the digital twin. Eliminating prototypes will save your business expenses and time that it could’ve taken to produce items. It helps you to focus your attention and energy on other important things.
- Enhances The Quality Of Parts
Unlike traditional machining, CNC machines are accurate and consistent. That’s because they can perform similar tasks that humans do without tiring or experiencing injuries. Even the most intelligent and careful humans can produce variations and inconsistencies in product quality. However, when you use CNC machination, you’ll improve your products and save time that you can invest in other areas such as improving the product’s designs and performance.
- Lowers Production Costs
The other benefit of using CNC machining is its potential for lowering production costs. You need less labor to operate a CNC machine. Unlike traditional machining that requires highly trained workers to operate each machine, CNC machines only need one trained worker to monitor their outputs. The high precision, accuracy, and speed also help to cut costs while ensuring that only high-quality products are manufactured within a short period. Furthermore, CNC machines also operate 24/7, 365 days a year, without resting, except during maintenance.
Bottom Line
No doubt using CNC machines can help manufacturers to increase the efficiency of their operations. Purchasing the machines may be expensive, but they’ll drastically cut operational costs once you have them.
