One of the key points of the modern manufacturing industry is the use of CNC machining. It’s a working method that not only concerns the production sector. Infact it also extends to the electronics sector, the automotive sector, the aerospace sector and beyond. The use of CNC machining versus manual machining can lead to greater accuracy, higher production speeds, greater safety, greater efficiency and above all cost savings.
CNC Machine: a way to be already in the future
CNC stands for Computerized Numerical Control. In CNC machine, pre-programmed software controls the movement of tools and machinery. This process allows you to control a wide range of complex machines like lathes and cutters. The desired cuts are programmed into the software and dictated to corresponding tools and machinery that run everything like in a robotic system. We can include this working method in the subtractive processes that remove layers of material from the workpiece to produce custom shapes and designs. How does machining take place with the CNC Machine? It can be synthesized in the following steps. First of all, the CAD model or project is converted into instructions to tell the machine how to cut the material. Then the material is cut to obtain the desired shape with a possible subsequent finishing step.
Entering the story of CNC Machining
To find the first example of CNC Machine we have to go back to the 1940s. In this period, John T. Parsons introduced an experimental milling machine as part of an Air Force research project conducted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). This research concerned the production of helicopter blades and better skin for airplane. Parsons calculated helicopter airfoil coordinates with an IBM 602A multiplier and entered the data into a punched card which he used on a swiss driller. With this information there was a significant production of helicopter blades and airplane skins. In the 1970s an important progress was made, Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Machining (CAM) were integrated into CNC Machining. Later in time, three-dimensional design and computer-aided machining were also incorporated, leading to today’s faster, more accurate CNC system and keeping progress with technological development.
Unique and increasingly advanced features
Protek works following the latest innovations and trends in CNC Machining. Nowadays, the history of the CNC Machine has led to go from the necessity of using a punched card to the possibility of working directly from software focusing on practically perfect characteristics. First of all, the CNC Machine works with such precision that it allows to have the same result on multiple products. The CNC Machine doesn’t need any breaks, therefore an automated process is opened that guarantees speed of realization and quality of the work done. A single operator can manage the work of several machines at the same time and he shouldn’t focus exclusively on one of them and also safety increases for these operators compared to traditional working methods that easily lead to injuries or similar problems.
CNC machining is a significant step towards the future of manufacturing and beyond.
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