An article to help you quickly understand CNC（Computerized Numerical Control）

Today i would like to talk about the history of cnc machining,and how it developed these years.But first we have to know some basic conceptions.

What is CNC?

CNC is the abbreviation of Computerized Numerical Control, which is a digital control technology that uses computer programs to automatically control machine tools.

How it works?

The working principle of CNC machine tools is as follows:

Programming:

According to the processing requirements, use CAD/CAM software to write CNC programs and generate digital control codes.

The control code describes various parameters of workpiece processing, such as tool path, feed speed, speed, etc.

Input:

Download the written CNC program to the control system of the CNC machine tool.

The control system converts digital instructions into electrical signals and drives each actuator for processing.

Processing:

The CNC machine tool automatically completes the cutting, milling, drilling and other processing processes of the workpiece according to the control program.

During the processing process, the control system can also monitor and feedback various process parameters.

Output:

After completing the processing, the CNC machine tool will generate data information of the processing results.

These data can be used for subsequent processes such as quality analysis and performance optimization.

Advantages:

Compared with traditional manually operated machine tools, CNC machine tools have the following advantages:

High processing accuracy and good repeatability

Fast processing speed and high production efficiency

Complicated shapes can be processed

Programmable control and strong adaptability

Reduce manual operation and improve automation level

Applicaitions：

Automobile manufacturing industry:

Applied to the processing and manufacturing of automobile bodies, engines, gearboxes and other parts

Achieve CNC machining of complex surfaces and high-precision parts

Can be used for the manufacture of automobile molds and fixtures

Aerospace industry:

Applied to the processing of key parts such as aircraft fuselages, wings, engines, etc.

Processing of aviation parts made of high-strength and high-temperature resistant materials

Achieve five-axis linkage processing of complex surfaces

Mold manufacturing industry:

Used to manufacture various injection molds, stamping molds, die-casting molds, etc.

Can process complex mold cavities and guides with high precision

Improve the automation and flexibility of mold manufacturing

Electronic and electrical industry:

Applied to CNC machining of precision electronic component housings and panels

Processing of housings of various electronic communication equipment and home appliances

Can achieve high-precision machining of miniaturized parts

Medical device industry:

Applied to the precision machining of medical devices such as biological implants and prostheses

Processing of various surgical instruments and parts of precision medical equipment

Meet the high cleanliness and high precision requirements of medical devices.

CNC machining processes

CNC turning:

Used for machining rotationally symmetrical workpieces such as shaft parts, gears, nuts, etc.

Can achieve high-precision machining of complex contours such as outer circles, inner circles, cones, threads, etc.

CNC milling:

Used for machining parts of various complex shapes, such as molds, housings, etc.

Can achieve machining of various characteristic surfaces such as planes, grooves, steps, holes, etc.

CNC drilling:

Used for high-precision drilling, such as electronic product housings, aviation parts, etc.

Can control parameters such as drilling position, depth, inclination angle, etc.

CNC grinding:

Used for grinding and polishing of various precision parts, such as bearings, molds, etc.

Can achieve high surface quality and high dimensional accuracy

CNC EDM:

Used for machining difficult-to-machine materials such as cemented carbide, ceramics, etc.

Can achieve high-precision machining of complex cavities and fine structures

CNC water jet cutting:

Use high-pressure water jets to cut various materials, such as metal plates, stones, etc.

Suitable for cutting large and thick plates

CNC laser machining:

Use lasers for cutting, welding, marking, etc.

Can achieve contactless, high-precision metal machining.

Materials available:

Metal materials:

Carbon steel:

Such as low carbon steel, medium carbon steel, high carbon steel, etc., suitable for turning, milling, drilling and other processing.

Stainless steel:

Such as 304, 316 stainless steel, suitable for precision parts, molds and other processing.

Non-ferrous metals:

Aluminum alloy, copper alloy, titanium alloy, etc., widely used in aerospace, electronics and electrical industries.

Cemented carbide:

Such as tungsten steel, cemented carbide, suitable for high hardness parts processing such as tools and molds.

Other special materials:

Such as nickel-based alloys, molybdenum alloys, etc., used for high temperature and high strength parts processing.

Plastic materials:

Thermoplastic plastics:

Such as ABS, POM, PA66, etc., suitable for electronic housing, automotive interior and other injection molding parts processing.

Thermosetting plastics:

Such as phenolic resin, epoxy resin, etc., can be used for electrical insulation, structural parts and other processing.

Engineering plastics:

Such as PPS, PEEK and other high-performance engineering plastics, used in precision machinery, electronics and electrical fields.

Composite materials:

Such as carbon fiber reinforced plastics, glass fiber reinforced plastics, etc., used for lightweight structural parts processing.

The history of CNC:

Early machine tool control technology (1940s-1950s)

The initial machine tool control was achieved through mechanical program control devices.

In the 1940s, the United States first developed program-controlled machine tools based on electromagnetic relays.

In the 1950s, digital control technology began to be applied to machine tool control, marking the emergence of the prototype of CNC.

The first generation of CNC machine tools (late 1950s-1960s)

In 1959, the first CNC milling machine in the United States was launched, using vacuum tube and transistor technology.

In the 1960s, CNC machine tools were widely used and became one of the main equipment in industrial production.

During this period, CNC technology was still relatively primitive, and programming and operation were relatively complex.

The second generation of CNC machine tools (1970s-1980s)

In the 1970s, the widespread application of microprocessor technology promoted the rapid development of CNC machine tools.

CNC machine tool control systems gradually realized digitalization and integration, and programming and operation were simplified.

Functions such as high-speed processing and compound processing began to be applied, and the performance of CNC machine tools continued to improve.

The third generation of CNC machine tools (1980s-1990s)

In the 1980s, computer technology and CNC technology were deeply integrated, and an open CNC system based on PC appeared.

The CNC machine tool control system integrates software and hardware, and programmable logic controllers (PLCs) are widely used.

The machine tool has strong adaptability and flexibility, and realizes data communication and remote monitoring.

Modern CNC machine tools (1990s to present)

Since the 1990s, CNC machine tools have developed in the direction of intelligence, flexibility and networking.

The CNC system has achieved seamless docking with the CAD/CAM system, improving the level of design and manufacturing integration.

The application of cutting-edge technologies such as industrial Internet, big data, and artificial intelligence can realize intelligent management of the entire life cycle.

Currently, CNC machine tools have been widely used in high-end manufacturing fields such as aerospace, new energy, and medical.

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