LogoLogo
HomeHave a Change Request?
  • WELCOME
  • SHOPS
    • Advanced Rapid Prototyping
      • Equipments
        • Vaquform DT2 Desktop Vacuum Former
        • MODELA MDX-50 Benchtop CNC Mill
        • Pocket NC V2-50 CHK 5-Axis CNC
        • Cricut Maker 3
      • Projects
    • Ceramic Studio
      • Equipments
      • Projects
    • Laser Shop
      • Equipments
        • Epilog Fusion Pro 48
        • SIL 80 Watts
        • Formech FLB1000 line bender
      • Projects
    • Metal Shop
      • Equipments
        • Nargesa CC60 CNC Pipe Bender
        • Haas CNC 5-Axis Milling Machine
        • Nargesa Hydraulic section bending machine MC200H
        • Tormach PCNC 440 Mill
        • Tormach 8L Lathe
        • Proxxon Precision lathe PD 400
        • Proxxon Mill FF 500/BL
        • PEMSERTER-4 Fastener Installation Machine
        • Soyer BMS-8NV Stud Welder
        • Fronius Magic Cleaner 300
      • Projects
      • Resources
    • PCB Fab
      • Capabilities
      • Software
      • Process
      • Resources
        • Research Data Dump
      • Consumables
    • Sensor Lab
      • Equipments
      • Projects
    • Wood Shop
      • Equipments
      • Projects
    • 3D Shop
      • Equipments
        • Bambu Lab X1E
        • Bambu Lab X1C
      • Projects
    • Electronics & Testing
      • Equipments
      • Projects
  • CAPABILITIES
    • CNC Machining
    • 3D Printing
    • Digital Cutting
    • Laser Cutting
    • Welding
    • Tube & Section Bending
    • Sheet Metal Fabrication
    • Vacuum Forming
  • PROJECTS
Powered by GitBook
On this page
  • The Basics
  • What is CNC machining?
  • A brief history of CNC machining
  • Types of CNC machines

Was this helpful?

Export as PDF
  1. CAPABILITIES

CNC Machining

Source Credit: https://www.hubs.com/guides/cnc-machining/#basics-of-cnc

Last updated 1 year ago

Was this helpful?

The Basics

What is CNC machining? What are the different types of CNC machines? How do they work?

In this section, we answer all these questions and we compare CNC machining to other manufacturing technologies to help you find the best solution for your application.

What is CNC machining?

CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machining is a subtractive manufacturing technology: parts are created by removing material from a solid block (called the blank or the workpiece) using a variety of cutting tools.

CNC machining is a digital manufacturing technology: it produces high-accuracy parts with excellent physical properties directly from a CAD file. Due to the high level of automation, CNC is price-competitive for both one-off custom parts and medium-volume productions.

The basic CNC process can be broken down into 3 steps. The engineer first designs the CAD model of the part. The machinist then turns the CAD file into a CNC program (G-code) and sets up the machine. Finally, the CNC system executes all machining operations with little supervision, removing material and creating the part.

A brief history of CNC machining

  • The earliest machined object ever discovered was a bowl found in Italy and made in 700 B.C. using a lathe.

  • Attempts to automate machining started in the 18th century. These machines were purely mechanical and powered by steam.

  • The first programmable machine was developed in the late 40’s in MIT. It used punched cards to encode each movement.

  • The proliferation of computers in the 50’s and 60’s added the “C” in CNC and radically changed the manufacturing industry.

  • Today, CNC machines are advanced robotic systems with multi-axis and multi-tooling capabilities.

Types of CNC machines

In this guide, we will focus on CNC machines that remove material using cutting tools. These are the most common and have the widest range of applications. Other CNC machines include laser cutters, plasma cutters and EDM machines.

This is a fundamentally different way of manufacturing compared to additive () or formative () technologies. The material removal mechanisms have significant implications on the benefits, limitations and design restrictions of CNC. More on this below.

Almost every material can be CNC machined. The most common examples include (aluminum and steel alloys, brass etc) and (ABS, Delrin, Nylon etc). Foam, composites and wood can also be machined.

3D printing
Injection Molding
metals
plastics