What does CNC stand for?

CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control. The term is used to refer to automated, specialized machinery (sometimes called machining centers) that can remove material from stock parts (also known as workpieces or blanks) or services that perform these machining operations.

CNC machining is a material reduction manufacturing process because it involves the use of cutting tools to remove material as needed to form the desired part. Before the advent of any type of automated machining controls, the creation of custom machined parts was performed manually by machinists on lathes or milling machines. This work required operators with a high skill level who could read blueprints, take precise measurements using instruments such as calipers and micrometers, and repeatedly cut the workpiece until a finished part with the correct dimensions was created. The higher the tolerances required and the more complex the design, the more cumbersome the machining task becomes, which limits throughput and impacts costs. For projects involving the production of high-precision parts, it is becoming increasingly important to add automated steps to the process.

1、History of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine tools

2、Processing technology of CNC machine tools

3, CNC programming of CNC machine tools

4、Several operations of CNC machine tools

1.History of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine tools

CNC has evolved from early CNC systems, and its origins can be traced back to the 19th century, for example, when punched paper was used to control automatic pianos. Early CNC programs developed in the mid-20th century relied on the use of punched tape cards to store instruction code. The code was named G-code, a name that reflected the company responsible for its development, Gerber Scientific Instruments.

As electronics and semiconductor technology developed and advanced, more powerful computers with smaller footprints were developed to help create more complex digital programming. Based on CNC, CNC has evolved and become a more powerful, adaptable, and sophisticated control mechanism to provide highly repeatable process steps and to monitor the quality of the machined part to ensure that it meets the dimensional tolerances of the programmed part design .

2. Processing technology of CNC machine tools

The CNC machining process can be divided into four basic steps:

Designing and creating a CAD model representation of the desired part.

Perform conversions to obtain CAD model information and generate the CNC program.

Perform initialization or setup of the CNC machine.

Running the stored program to perform the machining operation

3. CNC Programming for CNC Machines

Programming a CNC machine for milling or lathe operations requires an understanding of how to create G-code and M-code.

G-code represents the language of operation for CNC machining. The commands used line by line provide instructions on how the tool in the machine should move to be in the correct position to perform the cutting operation. In order for programming to work correctly, it is necessary to establish a fixed reference system in three axes so that commands that specify that the tool move to a particular position will perform this operation relative to that reference or coordinate system.

M-code is the machine control language of the CNC. It is used to turn certain machine functions on or off. For example, there are commands to start or stop a program, to start the spindle rotating counterclockwise or clockwise, or to turn coolant on or off. When used in conjunction with G-code, CNC programming generates a series of automated steps that can produce a finished part that matches the original CAD model in terms of dimensions and required tolerances.

4. Several CNC Machine Operations

There are several specific operations that fall under the umbrella of Computer Numerical Control or CNC. The most common of these operations are drilling, milling and turning. Other types of operations include:

Broaching

Sawing

Grinding

Honing

Grinding

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