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What is CNC Machining?

 

CNC machining is a subtractive manufacturing process that creates parts by selectively removing portions of a workpiece using cutting tools or media. When a cnc system is activated, the desired cuts are programmed into the software and dictated to corresponding tools and machinery, which carry out the dimensional tasks as specified, much like a robot.In cnc programming, the code generator within the numerical system will often assume mechanisms are flawless, despite the possibility of errors, which is greater whenever a cnc machine is directed to cut in more than one direction simultaneously. The placement of a tool in a numerical control system is outlined by a series of inputs known as the part program.

 

Advantages of CNC Machining

Zero defects and greater accuracy

Since precision turning machines operate autonomously and without any manual intervention, they bypass the possibility of human errors seeping into the manufacturing process, leading to defects. With codes and software programs governing the end-to-end process, the machines can deliver greater accuracy without any flaws.

Faster and efficient production

When working with milling machines, one can operate these on their fastest settings to match increased demands. Plus, as stated earlier, these machines can run 24 hours a day and seven days a week without tiring, without breaks, and without any trade-offs.

 

 

Quicker assembly

By decoupling the production capacity from the number of employees required, manufacturing units can be made more efficient by moving the human resources down the assembly line. Manual assembly lines are known to be more effective in high-production settings and where the assembly of the product is intricate to the extent that it requires specialized skills that machines cannot replicate.

Enhanced personnel safety

These machines can function without an operator, thereby limiting the possibility of accidents and reducing the risk to life and limb. Modern-day cnc machines are highly capable to the extent that they can even change their tools automatically! Even if there is a change in design, it can be set in motion by changing the software without necessarily coming in contact with the machine or person.

 

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Why Choose Us
 
01/

Our factory
Currently, the factory is equipped with advanced machinery including 2 sets of 5-axis cnc machines,10 sets of 4-axis cnc machines, 15 sets of 3-axis cnc machines,15 cold block machines, 15 rolling machines, 5 punching machines, 2 sawing machines, as well as general turning machines and grinding machines among others.

02/

Our product
Fasteners: Bolts, nuts, screws./ precision parts: Cnc parts, turning parts./ other hardware accessories: Metal stamping parts, etc.

03/

Product application
Solar energy, agricultural machines, automobiles, household appliances, musical equipment,buildings, robots, subways, motorcycles, electric wires and cables.

04/

Our service
1.Provide cad or 3d drawings for the basic shape of customized products.2. According to customer requirements to modify the size of the appearance.3. Selection of materials (to meet customer performance requirements).4. Optimize product details according to experience and technology (according to customer requirements).

 

Working Principle of CNC Machining

 

Contemporary cnc machines are fully automated. All they need is digital files with instructions about cutting trajectories and tooling.

 

Design or machining processes require many tools to produce a certain part. Machinists can build digital tool libraries that interface with the physical machine. Such machinery can automatically switch tooling based on digital instructions, making them manufacturing workhorses.

 

The cnc machining process starts with designing the parts in cad software. The 3d model determines the necessary dimensions and properties of the final part.

 

Some of these programs come in cad-cam packages, so the flow can continue in the same programs. Otherwise, cad models are fed into designated cam software. If both cad and cam are from the same product family, no translation of files is necessary. Otherwise, the cad files need to be imported.

 

Cam (computer-aided manufacturing) software prepares the model for the whole fabrication process. First, it checks the model for errors. Then it creates a cnc program to fabricate the physical part.

 

The program is, in essence, a set of coordinates that guides the cutting head during the manufacturing process.

 

The third step is choosing the right parameters. These include cutting speed, voltage, rpms, etc. The configuration depends on the geometry of the part as well as the available machinery and tooling.

 

Lastly, the software determines the nesting. Nesting means the orientation and placement of parts relative to raw material. The purpose is to maximise material usage.

 

All this information is then translated into codes that the machinery can understand – m-code and g-code.

 

4 Main Steps for CNC Machining Process
CNC Machining Part
CNC Machining Precision Part
CNC Machining Milling Parts
CNC Machining Turning Parts

Prepare a cad model
This involves creating a 2d or 3d model design of the product. There is much software suitable for the process, with popular ones being autocad and solidworks. Furthermore, it is possible to convert 2d designs to 3d designs depending on the product requirement.

Although some product designs might be simple, preparing some cad models might require advanced knowledge, especially complex product designs.

The cad model should be properly designed and effortlessly show the operator critical features such as tolerance, construction lines, threads, and other parameters for an effective machining operation.

 

Conversion to cnc compatible format
Cnc machines won’t understand the cad model. Therefore, you have to transform the cad model to a cnc-compatible format so that the machine can interpret it. For this step, you can use cam software such as autocad, fusion 360, or other online software services.

This software can convert to a cnc-compatible format and will instruct the cnc machine on parameters. Such as rotational and linear movement, cutting sequence, toolpath, workpiece, machine speed, etc., associated with the machining operation.

 

Setup execution
This involves choosing the right type of cnc machine and configuring certain operations before the machining operation begins. Selecting the right machine depends on the workpiece, the complexity of product design, and the cost. Afterward, the workpiece is mounted on the machine.

 

Machine the part
The operator will attach the necessary cutting tools and kickstart the process. The process is automated and will run until deemed complete by the computer program. During and after the machining process, machinists will do several levels of inspection to occur for quality assurance.

 

Common Metal Materials for CNC Machining
 

Aluminum 6061
This is the most common general purpose aluminum used for cnc machining. The main alloying elements are magnesium, silicon, and iron. Like all aluminum alloys it has a good strength-to-weight ratio and is naturally resistant to atmospheric corrosion. Other advantages of this material are that it has good workability and cnc machinability, can be welded and anodized, and its wide availability means that it’s economical.

 

Aluminum 7075
7075 Is a higher grade of aluminum, alloyed mainly with zinc. It’s one of the strongest aluminum alloys used in machining, with excellent strength-to-weight characteristics.Because of the strength of this material it has average workability which means it tends to spring back to its original shape when being cold-formed. 7075 is also machinable and can be anodized.

 

Brass
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. It’s a very soft metal, and can often be machined without lubrication. It’s a material that’s also highly workable at room temperature, so it often finds applications that doesn’t require great strength. There are many kinds of brass, largely depending on the percentage of zinc. As this percentage increases, corrosion resistance decreases.

 

Stainless steel 303
There are many varieties of stainless steel, so called because of the addition of chromium that helps to deter oxidation (rust). Because all stainless steels look alike, great care must be taken to test incoming raw material with modern metrology equipment like oes detectors to confirm the characteristics of the steel you’re using for machining.

 

Stainless steel 304
This is the most common form of stainless steel found in a wide variety of consumer and industrial products. Often called 18/8, this refers to the addition of 18% chromium and 8% nickel to the alloy. These two elements also make this machining material especially tough and non-magnetic.

 

Carbon steel 1045
This is a common grade of mild steel, i.E., not stainless. It’s typically less expensive than stainless steels, but considerably stronger and tougher. It’s easy to machine and to weld, and it can be work hardened and heat treated for various hardnesses.

 

Titanium
Titanium is well-known for possessing high strength, light weight, toughness, and corrosion resistance. It can be welded, passivated and anodized for increased protection and to improve its appearance. Titanium doesn’t polish especially well, is a poor conductor of electricity but a good conductor of heat. It’s a tough material to machine and only specialty cutters should be used.

 

Application of CNC Machining

 

Cnc machining can be repeated
The best benefit of cnc punching is that once you set the design, you can make as many copies of it as your materials will allow. Whether you're making plaques. Carved signs, decorations, or even car parts; once the program is in, you can just save it and reuse it whenever you want.

 

Dental equipment
Believe it or not, dentists are known to use cnc equipment for certain procedures, particularly for dental crowns.Cnc services are often associated with wood or sheet metal, but they can make so much more. Since the equipment is precise, you can even use cnc programs to carve out dental crowns and implants.

 

Weapons
You may have heard the controversy over 3d printers because of their ability to manufacture firearms without serial numbers. Well, cnc machines have been around for a lot longer and have had that capability the entire time.Not only that, cnc machines can even make modifications for firearms, including grips and other accessories. The only difference from a 3d printer is the amount of material you need to start with. However, it is illegal to manufacture firearms without a permit, but cnc mills are used in the manufacturing process for many firearm brands.

 

Construction
While this may come as no surprise, there are many times in the construction process where cnc punching can come in handy. Some of which you may not expect.The amount of precision is hard to match by the most skilled carpenters, and there are certain jobs, especially when working on existing structures, that require a perfect fit.

 

Transportation
Railways and automobiles also need to be put together properly to ensure safety. When over 70 million vehicles are manufactured every year, automakers need to be certain that quality control is of the highest priority. Everything has to be uniform. Well, humans simply can't give the same amount of uniformity that machines can, making cnc services extremely valuable to the industry.

 

Research and development
R&d across almost every industry will need prototypes as well as some degree of trial and error. That includes physics, chemistry, biotech, woodworking, and more. Cnc machining offers the ability to take on any idea from your head and make it into reality with expert precision.

 

Precautions of CNC Machining

 

Wear appropriate protective gear: When operating a cnc machine, the operator should wear appropriate personal protective equipment (ppe) such as safety glasses, earplugs, steel-toed boots, and protective gloves.

 

Keep the work area tidy: It's important to keep the workspace clean and organized. Loose items, debris, and clutter can lead to tripping and slipping hazards, which could result in injuries.

 

Be aware of emergency stops: Emergency stops are designed to stop the machine in case of an emergency. Operators should be aware of the location and function of emergency stops.

 

Use proper lockout/tagout procedures: Before servicing or repairing a cnc machine, make sure it is powered off and locked out to prevent accidental startup. Only authorized personnel should have access to lockout/tagout equipment.

 

Keep your distance: It is essential to stay a safe distance from the machine when it is in operation. Flying chips, sharp edges, and moving equipment pose a significant risk to operators.

 

Use proper lifting techniques: Cnc machines often require lifting heavy parts or materials. Operators should use proper lifting techniques to avoid injury.

 

Avoid loose clothing and jewelry: Loose clothing and jewelry can be caught in the machine, leading to serious injuries.

 

Stay focused and alert: Cnc machining requires precision and attention to detail. Operators should be focused and alert when operating the machine.

 

Follow machine-specific safety procedures: Each machine has specific safety procedures that operators should follow. It is essential to read and understand the machine's manual and guidelines before operating it.

 

Regularly maintain and inspect the machine: It is crucial to regularly maintain and inspect the machine to ensure it is in good working condition. Any damaged or worn-out parts should be immediately replaced.

 

Cost Reduction Tips for CNC Machining
 

Increase radius

The cutting tools used in cnc machining have a circular cross-section and must also rotate in order to provide the cutting mechanism. This means the tool will naturally cut curved internal corners known as fillets. To reduce machining times, add the biggest possible fillets to your design which will allow a larger tool with a higher material removal rate to be used.

Avoid tall features and thin walls

Both tall features and thin walls are prone to vibration when cnc machining, which can result in warping or fracturing of the part. To minimise part vibration the cutting tool has to make multiple slow speed shallow cuts into the workpiece. This increases the machining time considerably which in turn increases the part cost.

Use standard holes

Standard holes sizes can be drilled quickly and accurately with drill bits. However, if you require a non-standardised hole cnc machining will need to be used, increasing the cost. It is also important to keep holes a suitable distance away from the edge of the part to avoid creating a problematic thin wall feature.

Blank size

The 'blank' is the stock block/rod of material that is loaded into the cnc machine ready to be machined. The size of the blank used depends on the bounding volume of the part, therefore, protruding features can have a large effect on the material costs and increase the bounding volume. Try to consider the size of the bounding volume when designing your parts to help minimise material costs.

Tolerances

To manufacture holes, walls and threads to tight tolerances is an expensive process as it requires an iterative slow machining process, increasing machining time. Parts also require post-machining inspection using a micrometre or cmm, further adding to the cost. It is therefore advised to only add tolerances to critical features in your design. Soft materials or designs with thin features are tricky to machine to a tight tolerance due to the part/tool flexing/vibrating when machining.

Avoid adding embossed text

When it comes to adding text/logos engraving is preferred to embossing as it requires less material removal, saving time and money. A sans serif style font is recommended with a minimum point size of 20 and an engraving depth of 0.3 mm. There are multiple other ways of adding text on parts such as laser etching and silkscreening which can be cheaper alternatives.

 

FAQ

Q: What is CNC machining in simple terms?

A: CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control, which refers to the computerized operation of machining tools used in manufacturing. CNC machines operate using pre-programmed software and codes, which tell each machine the exact movements and tasks to complete.

Q: Is CNC machining hard work?

A: Yes, mastering CNC machining can be challenging, particularly when first beginning. The learning curve is steep, not just because of the technical requirements—such as understanding CNC programming and operating complex machinery—but also due to the diverse skill sets required at different levels of proficiency.

Q: How does a CNC work?

A: CNC machines feature built-in tools for drilling and cutting, and after materials are placed inside them, the computer will guide the drilling and cutting tools to work their magic. At Geomiq, we're proud to offer both 3 axis and 5 axis high-precision CNC milling capabilities.

Q: Is CNC a good job?

A: CNC machining is a great career option for those looking to make use of their technical knowledge and experience in the manufacturing industry. As long as they have an interest in innovation and tenacity, machinists can continue advancing in this industry and continue to develop their skills.

Q: How is CNC used today?

A: The medical world relies on CNC too, especially for making special implants and parts for prostheses that need to fit patients perfectly. CNC machining is also used in the electronics, defense, telecommunication and everyday consumer goods industries due to its incredible precision.

Q: Is CNC work difficult?

A: While CNC machining is physically demanding to some extent, it's equally mentally challenging. Precision is paramount, and machinists must pay meticulous attention to detail. They must also interpret complex blueprints, understand CAD/CAM software, and troubleshoot any issues that arise during machining.

Q: What is the basic knowledge in CNC?

A: A CNC machine—often in connection with Computer-Aided Machining and Manufacturing (CAM) software—uses digitized data to automate, monitor, and control a machine's movements. For larger machines, the CNC is usually onboard, but CNCs can also control smaller machines as an external PC.

Q: What is the difference between CNC and machining?

A: While manual machines can perform many of the same tasks as CNC machines, they are generally slower, less precise and require a higher level of operator skill to produce similar results. CNC machines excel in tasks requiring high precision, complex geometries and repeatability.

Q: Who uses CNC machining?

A: CNC technology is widely used in the consumer goods industry to make consumer products like electronics, appliances, and toys. The accurate functioning of CNC machines ensures the dependability of these components.

Q: Is CNC machining the future?

A: As intelligent automation combines the efficiencies of physical movement with process integration and production planning, it makes high-mix-low-volume manufacturing profitable and resilient – anywhere in the world.

As one of the most professional CNC machining manufacturers and suppliers in China, we're featured by quality products and good price. If you're going to buy customized CNC machining made in China, welcome to get quotation from our factory.

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