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Knowing these 5 secrets will make your CNC Machining in PCBWay look easier

by: Jan 26,2021 5611 Views 1 Comments Posted in CNC Machining

CNC Machining EDM CAD milling

What Is CNC Machining

CNC stands for "computer numerical control", it is a kind of manufacturing process that instructs the operation of equipment and tools through programmed computer. This process can control various complicated machinery, such as CNC milling machine, CNC lathe, CNC laser machine, water jet machine, electric discharge machine (EDM), to complete the three-dimensional cutting task.

How CNC Machining Works

After activating the CNC system, the product file will be programmed into the software and assigned to the corresponding tools and machinery. These tools and machinery will perform the specified cutting tasks. The CNC machining process includes the following stages:

- Design CAD Model

- Convert CAD file to CNC program

- Prepare CNC machine and tools

- CNC Machining operations

Main Processes Of CNC Machining

-CNC Milling: Use a multi-point rotating tool to remove material from the workpiece. Basic mills consist of a 3-axis system (X, Y and Z), which is still one of the most popular and widely used machining processes. In 3-axis machining, the workpiece remains fixed, and the rotating tool cuts along the x, y, and z axes. Meanwhile, most newer mills can accommodate two additional axis, 4-axis CNC machining and 5-axis CNC machining have higher versatility, and they are often used in the production of high-precision parts.

-CNC Turning: Use a single-point cutting tools to remove material from the rotating workpiece. In CNC turning, the CNC machine, typically a lathe or turning machine, feeds the cutting tool in a linear motion along the surface of the rotating workpiece, removing material around the circumference until the desired diameter is achieved. It can machine parts with cylindrical features from metal rod stock. Most CNC lathes consist of two axis, X and Z.

-CNC Laser Cutting: Laser cutting generates the first 2D flat of the sheet metal fabrication. Turnaround time for laser cutting is faster than punching, saving you time on shorter runs, and is more precise and consistent cut than mechanical cutting.

CNC laser cutting produces consistent clean edges to the most exacting tolerances. It is a flexible, versatile manufacturing solution for fabricating parts with complex geometries that require distortion-free finishes.

Pros& Cons 

Not only can CNC machining attain a degree of complexity that traditional precision machining technology can’t, it’s also cost-effective, especially when producing complex parts.

Machined Metal and Plastic Prototypes and Production Parts in as Fast as 2 Day with high accuracy; Custom Surface Finishes; multiple materials choice both in metal and plastic; wide range of finishes.

However, Interlocking and hollowed structure is difficult to be machined with CNC, and the unit cost and lead time will not be reduced as much as injection molded parts.

CNC Machining Application

Industry that benefit from CNC machining include metalworking, automotive, aerospace, agriculture, construction, consumer electronics, medical and so on. Of course, the types of CNC machines vary as much as the industries they benefit.


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