aluminium cnc lathing of Honscn Co.,Ltd is delicate in appearance. It is constructed with superior quality materials purchased from all over the world and processed by the advanced production equipment and the industry-leading technology. It adopts the innovative design concept, perfectly integrating aesthetics and functionality. Our professional production team who highly attentive to details also makes a great contribution to beautifying the appearance of the product.
The HONSCN products have been well received, winning multiple awards in the domestic market. As we continue to promote our brand to the foreign market, the products are sure to attract more customers. With efforts invested in the product innovation, the reputation rank is improved. The products are expected to have a stable customer base and show more influences on the market.
We have been focusing on optimizing custom service since established. The styles, specifications, and so on of aluminium cnc lathing and other products can all be customized according to various needs of customers. Here at Honscn, we are always here for you.
With the increasingly updated processing technology, CNC machining has also undergone a lot of changes. Many experts pointed out that in the future, CNC will be the mainstream processing mode. In the CNC machining process, the tool is the most important, today, we will understand the CNC tool in detail.
CNC machining tool concept
A tool is a tool used for cutting in mechanical manufacturing. Generalized cutting tools include both cutting tools and abrasive tools. The vast majority of knives are used for machines, but there are also hand tools. Since the tools used in mechanical manufacturing are basically used to cut metal materials, the term "tool" is generally understood as a metal cutting tool. The cutting tools used for cutting wood are called woodworking tools.
CNC machining tool
Tool classification
Cutting tools can be divided into five categories according to the form of the workpiece machined surface.
Cutting tools for processing various outer surfaces, including cutting tools for processing various outer surfaces, including turning tools, planing knives, milling cutters, outer surface broach and file, etc.
Hole processing tools, including drill, reaming drill, boring cutter, milling cutter and internal surface broach, etc.
Thread processing tools, including tap, die, automatic opening thread cutting head, thread turning tool and thread milling cutter.
Gear processing tools, including hob, gear shaper cutter, shaving cutter, bevel gear processing tool, etc.
Cutting tools, including inserted circular saw blade, band saw, bow saw, cutting tool and saw blade milling cutter, etc.
In addition, there are combination tools.
Hole cutting tool
Tool structure
The structure of various tools is composed of a clamping part and a working part. The clamping part and working part of the overall structure of the tool are done on the tool body; The working part of the tool (the tooth or blade) is mounted on the tool body.
The clamping part of the tool has two kinds of holes and handles. The tool with hole relies on the inner hole set on the spindle or mandrel of the machine tool, and transmits the torsional torque with the help of the axial key or the end key, such as the cylindrical milling cutter and the sleeve face milling cutter.
The tool with the handle is usually rectangular handle, cylindrical handle and conical handle three kinds. Turning tools, planing tools, etc. are generally rectangular handles; The conical handle withstands the axial thrust with the taper and transmits the torque with the help of friction. Cylindrical shank is generally suitable for smaller twist drill, end mill and other tools, cutting with the help of the friction generated when clamping torque transfer. The shank of many tools with handles is made of low alloy steel, and the working part is made of high speed steel welded to each other.
The basic properties that the tool material should have
1. High hardness
The hardness of the tool material must be higher than the hardness of the workpiece material to be machined, which is the basic feature that the tool material should have.
2. Sufficient strength and toughness
The material of the cutting part of the tool must withstand great cutting force and impact force when cutting. The bending strength and impact toughness reflect the ability of tool material to resist brittle fracture and edge breakage.
3. High wear resistance and heat resistance
The wear resistance of tool materials refers to the ability to resist wear. The higher the hardness of the tool material, the better the wear resistance; The higher the high temperature hardness, the better the heat resistance, the tool material at high temperature resistance to plastic deformation, anti-wear ability is also stronger.
4. Good thermal conductivity
Large thermal conductivity means good thermal conductivity, and the heat capacity generated during cutting is easily transmitted out, thereby reducing the temperature of the cutting part and reducing tool wear.
5. Good technology and economy
In order to facilitate manufacturing, the tool material is required to have good machinability, including forging, welding, cutting, heat treatment, grindability and so on. Economy is one of the important indexes to evaluate and promote the application of new tool materials.
6. Resistance to bonding
Prevent the workpiece and the tool material molecules under the action of high temperature and high pressure adsorption bond.
7. Chemical stability
It means that the tool material is not easy to react chemically with the surrounding medium at high temperature.
Tool coating
Aluminum alloy indexable inserts are now coated with hard or composite layers of titanium carbide, titanium nitride, alumina by chemical vapor deposition. The physical vapor deposition method that is being developed can be used not only for aluminum alloy tools, but also for high-speed steel tools such as drills, hobs, taps and milling cutters. As a barrier that prevents chemical diffusion and heat conduction, the hard coating slows down the wear rate of the tool during cutting, and the life of the coated blade is about 1 to 3 times higher than that of the uncoated blade.
How to choose a tool
Tool selection is carried out in the human-machine interaction state of NC programming. The tool and handle should be correctly selected according to the machining capacity of the machine tool, the performance of the workpiece material, the processing procedure, the cutting amount and other relevant factors.
The general principle of tool selection: easy installation and adjustment, good rigidity, high durability and accuracy. On the premise of meeting the processing requirements, try to choose a shorter tool handle to improve the rigidity of the tool processing. When selecting the tool, the size of the tool should be adapted to the surface size of the workpiece to be machined.
1. End milling cutter is often used to process the peripheral outline of plane parts.
2. When milling the plane, carbide blade milling cutter should be selected.
3. When processing convex and grooves, choose high-speed steel end milling cutter.
4. When processing the blank surface or roughing the hole, you can choose the corn milling cutter with cemented carbide blade.
5. For the processing of some vertical surface and variable bevel contour, ball end milling cutter, ring milling cutter, conical milling cutter and disk milling cutter are often used.
6. In the processing of free-form surface, because the cutting speed of the end of the ball head tool is zero, so in order to ensure the processing accuracy, the cutting line spacing is generally very dense, so the ball head is often used in the finishing of the surface.
7, flat head tool in the surface processing quality and cutting efficiency are better than the ball head knife, therefore, as long as the premise of ensuring but cutting, whether it is rough surface machining or finishing, should be preferred to choose flat head knife.
8. In the machining center, various tools are installed on the tool library, and the tool selection and tool change are carried out at any time according to the procedure. Therefore, the standard tool handle must be used in order to make the standard tool for drilling, boring, expanding, milling and other processes quickly and accurately installed on the machine spindle or tool library. The number of tools should be reduced as far as possible; After a tool is installed, it should complete all the processing parts that it can carry out; Rough finishing tools should be used separately, even if the same size specifications of the tool; Milling before drilling; Surface finishing is carried out first, and then 2D contour finishing is carried out. Where possible, the automatic tool change function of CNC machine tools should be used as much as possible to improve production efficiency.
Problems encountered in processing aluminum and solutions
Problems encountered in processing aluminum and solutions when processing pure aluminum, easy to stick knife analysis and solutions:
1. Aluminum material is soft in texture and easy to stick at high temperature;
2. Aluminum is not resistant to high temperature, easy to open;
3. Related to processing cutting fluid: good oil lubrication performance; Good water-soluble cooling performance; High dry cutting cost;
4. When processing pure aluminum, the end mill dedicated to aluminum processing should be selected: positive front Angle, sharp cutting edge, large chip discharge slot, 45 degrees or 55 degrees helix Angle;
5. The material of the workpiece and the CNC tool has a greater affinity.
6. Rough front tool processing soft materials.
Recommendation: Machine tool conditions are poor to good requirements are low to high, please use high-speed steel, coated polished carbide, PCD polycrystalline diamond and single crystal diamond.
7. Low speed can be avoided by cutting fluid, high speed oil mist lubrication, the effect can be improved, aluminum alloy suitable
Tool future development direction
Due to the high temperature, high pressure, high speed, and the parts working in the corrosive fluid medium, the application of difficult to process more and more materials, the automation level of cutting processing and the processing accuracy requirements are getting higher and higher. In order to adapt to this situation, the development direction of the tool will be the development and application of new tool materials; Further develop the vapor deposition coating technology of the tool, and deposit higher hardness coating on the matrix of high toughness and high strength, so as to better solve the contradiction between hardness and strength of the tool material; Further development of indexable tool structure; Improve the manufacturing accuracy of the tool, reduce the difference in product quality, and optimize the use of the tool.How to choose CNC aluminum alloy machining tool.
"CNC machining often has many advantages. From the perspective of automotive, aerospace and consumer applications, it is widely used in the manufacturing of components in these fields. And, in a way, it has similar properties to metal."
Polyformaldehyde, or POM, is a fascinating plastic resin that is widely used in various industrial fields. The aerospace, automotive and electronics industries are important consumers of this polymer. The processing of polyformaldehyde, especially when used in the manufacturing field, can achieve fast and efficient processing. In addition, it benefits users due to its high mechanical strength, stiffness, machinability and variety of grade choices.
This article contains the following key details of POM CNC machining, as well as its basic characteristics in terms of functions, applications, advantages, etc. Let's get started.
What is POM?
POM, a homopolymer, is also known as Delrin. It is widely adopted as an engineering grade thermoplastic for manufacturing prototypes for industrial use. It usually comes in two forms: copolymers or homopolymers. From complex prototypes to flexible machine parts, it brings economic benefits to manufacturing.
Product designers can benefit from its structural integrity, color diversity and stiffness characteristics. In addition, its reliability and resilience in wet environments make it suitable for Marine, medical and aerospace applications. POM, usually has some other name, such as; Acetal (acetal), polyacetal (polyacetal), polyformaldehyde, etc.
Why use POM for CNC machining?
POM formaldehyde or polyacetal has significant advantages when used in machining. Benefit from leading technologies such as precision machining POM or CNC machining; For example; Milling, drilling, punching and punching. In addition, its versatility in various grades is very beneficial for machining experts. Delrin is also compatible with advanced cutting technologies; Examples include laser cutting and extrusion processes.
Some of the main features of CNC machining include:
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It is lightweight, wear-resistant and has low friction properties.
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POM's low friction capability means it can be used in high-precision rotating parts, such as automotive bushings, bearings and gears.
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POM is similar to acrylic because of its inherent optical transparency and crystallinity.
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Delrin comes in a variety of textures, colors and grades.
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POM CNC machining is essential for high volume production and runs efficiently.
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It has a lower heat absorption rate compared to other grade polymers such as nylon and polyethylene.
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Evolved into CNC POM prototyping, CNC machining plays a key role in prototyping.
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Delrine or POM is also known as metallic plastic or super steel because of its high rigidity and strength.
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POM can be efficiently milling, drilling, grooving and cutting with CNC machining.
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Manufacturers can use it for a variety of applications such as aerospace, automotive and consumer goods.
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Design engineers can benefit from its dimensional stability and achieve tighter tolerances of ±0.0005 inches.
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Rapid prototyping with CNC machining is feasible.
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CNC lathes are also available for POM machining.
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It describes low-cost solutions and offers economic benefits when produced in large volumes.
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POM is a common technique; For example; CNC machining, injection molding, and 3D printing.
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Prototypes and complex geometric shapes are easier to manufacture with POM CNC machining.
POM numerical control machining method
Plastic CNC machining can be deployed through various technologies; For example; CNC milling, CNC drilling, lathes, grinding, blanking and punching. Its ease of processing greatly affects its use in these processes. In addition, it has also received a lot of attention for its high elongation. Now, let's discuss the method to get the best results POM CNC machining.
The process begins with computer-aided design and programming to improve accuracy, quality, and optimization levels. After the virtual configuration, the instructions are forwarded to the CNC machine in the following form: G code for further processing prospects.
A cutting operation is then performed on the workpiece material (POM) to obtain the optimal dimensions and dimensions. It is recommended to use coolant when machining Delrin at high speed to prevent ineffective processing operations such as chip buildup or overheating.
The following are some of the techniques commonly used to process strong polyformaldehyde or POM.
1.POM CNC milling
CNC milling is often used to machine POM parts. Tools with sharp edges help to get the best Angle, as well as surface finish. Therefore, it is reasonable to use a single slot milling cutter to process Delrin. These cutters prevent chip buildup during machining operations.
2.POM CNC drilling
Standard twist and center drills are best suited for processing polyformaldehyde resins. These materials have strong, sharpened edges that ultimately allow for smooth milling operations on Delrin. The optimal cutting speed of the drilled POM must be approximately 1500rpm and the lip torsion Angle 118°.
3.POM CNC turning
POM CNC turning operation is similar to brass turning operation. The best results can be achieved by maintaining high speed turning at the same rate as the medium feed rate. In order to prevent interference and excessive chip accumulation problems, a chip-breaker must be used for precision turning operations.
4. Blanking and punching
Blanking and stamping, both methods are preferred for small and medium-sized complex parts. During operation, cracks in the sheet can lead to major problems of improper processing. To eliminate this problem, it is best to preheat the Delrin plate and use a manual or high punch.
Highlights: "During POM CNC machining, it is important to keep the POM tight or hold the POM and use a hard steel or carbide tool.
List of Delrin grades for CNC machining
The two most common acetal grades are very useful for CNC machining; Polyformaldehyde resin 150, polyformaldehyde resin; 100 (AF). Let's evaluate their compatibility;
1. Delrin 150
Derlin 150 belongs to the acetal homopolymer family. It has high mechanical strength, stiffness and wear resistance. Thanks to these unique features, it is ideal for CNC machining of gears, bushings, gaskets and automotive interior and exterior finishes. In addition, its stability under high temperature conditions makes it ideal for irrigation and conveyor parts.
2. Delrin 100(A)
Delrin 100 A is integrated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) for enhanced mechanical stability and viscosity. It is widely used in gear systems or components that require low friction characteristics. In addition, it has strong moisture and chemical resistance. In addition, it eliminates the self-lubricating (oil or grease) characteristic, making it different from other Delrin grades.
Surface treatment options for POM
The desired surface finish plays a key role in the machining process. When it comes to surface treatment, two options are usually employed: machining and sandblasting. Here is a brief introduction to these;
After processing
CNC machining often leaves a bumpy surface or texture on the surface of the acetal part. When rough or textured parts are needed to improve the frictional properties of the parts, the surface treatment is preferred. The typical roughness range that can be achieved by machining is about 32 to 250 microinches (0.8 to 6.3 microns).
Pearl burst
In most cases, machining tools leave marks on acetal parts. Sandblasting is often used to prevent tool marks and enhance the visual effect of Delrin machined parts. It works by releasing glass beads or fine particles onto the surface of machined parts under high pressure. In addition, it improves durability and provides a valuable, smooth, matte, aesthetically pleasing and satin-polished appearance to polyformaldehyde resin machine parts.
There are other techniques; For example; Anodizing, polishing, painting and stamping. However, most design engineers prefer the above two options due to economic feasibility.
What are the limitations of Delrin CNC machining?
However, there are huge benefits to using Delrin for CNC machining. Besides, it also has some disadvantages. Here are Delrin's limitations;
Adhesion: Although acetal has excellent chemical resistance, it often presents challenges in bonding with strong adhesives. To overcome this problem, designers may need to employ post-treated surface options for best results.
Thermal sensitivity: Thermal sensitivity is a noteworthy issue for design manufacturers. The ability of acetone alcohols to withstand high temperature conditions is very significant. However, it is well suited for applications where mechanical stability is critical. But in some cases, when it is exposed to high temperature conditions, there will be deformation or distortion problems. Compared with nylon, nylon shows higher strength and structural strength even in harsh environments.
High flammability: The processing of polyformaldehyde resin faces the challenge of flammability. It is sensitive to temperatures above 121 degrees Celsius. It is recommended to always use a coolant, such as air coolant, to maintain the temperature during the processing operation. In order to overcome or control flammability problems, it is also necessary to use A Class A fire extinguisher when processing POM.
Delrin NC machining applications
From automotive interiors to aerospace components, Drin is used in a wide range of applications. Let's take a look at some of its key applications in manufacturing;
Medical industry
POM is an important material for medical components or equipment. As an engineered thermoplastic, it meets the strict quality standards of the FDA or ISO. Its applications range from enclosures and housings to complex functional components; For example; Disposable syringes, surgical tools, valves, inhalers, prosthetics and medical implants.
Automobile industry
Derlin supplies a wide range of automotive components to the automotive industry. Its high mechanical strength, low friction, and wear resistance allow engineers to use it to make important car, motorcycle, and electric vehicle parts. Some common examples include: articulated housings, locking systems, and fuel transmitter units.
Consumer appliances
When it comes to convenient applications, polyformaldehyde processing describes several significant benefits. Manufacturing experts use it to make zippers, cooking utensils, washing machines and clips.
Industrial machinery parts
Derlin's great strength enables it to be used in industrial parts manufacturing. Its ability to withstand wear and low friction characteristics makes it ideal for components such as springs, fan wheels, gears, housings, scrapers and rollers.
As an industry pioneer, Honscn is always at the forefront of market developments. We know that in the fierce market competition, only by constantly honing ourselves can we create indestructible competitiveness. Therefore, we adhere to technological innovation and integrate scientific management into every production link to ensure that every step is accurate. We not only focus on the pulse of the domestic market, but also in line with international standards, with a global perspective to examine the industry trend, grasp the pulse of The Times. With an open mind, embrace the world, with excellent quality, win the future!
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For a machine that not so long ago did not even exist, the uses for CNC machining centers have quickly become vast and continue to grow.
Woodworkers today are using these versatile machines for a variety of uses ranging from high-speed, flat-panel production work to very intricate carvings. Combining high speed boring with routing, profiling, cutting and other features, these computer-controlled marvels are being successfully utilized in shops that produce everything from beautiful high-end architectural woodwork to flanges for take up reels.
In the following pages, WOOD & WOOD PRODUCTS interviews woodworkers from around the country who have increased their productivity and accuracy while reducing labor costs through investments in CNC technology. Following are their stories.
SPEAKER MAKER USES CNC MACHINERY TO MAKE IT'S DIVERSE PRODUCT As an OEM supplier of audio speakers, the products that Tiffin, Ohio-based Ameriwood Industries International Inc. manufactures vary in size from small bookshelf-size speakers to large symphonic speakers.
Jim Harrington, plant manager of Ameriwood, said, "We do a variety of sizes and styles. We work with different types of materials, with different thicknesses and locations of holes. No two things are alike." Because of this product diversity, Ameriwood Industries (formerly Tiffin Enterprises) used to perform multiple machining operations for every item. Multiple operations meant that several workers had to handle each part, "and the more you handle it, the more opportunity there is for the product to be damaged," Harrington said.
To minimize parts handling -- and thus reduce their labor costs -- the company made an investment in a CNC machining center from Roger Stiles & Associates.
MACHINING CENTERS Vinyl overlayed particleboard is trimmed, cut-to-size, drilled and routed on the machining center. Computer programs are downloaded from a computer system directly into the machine's controller.
"We used CNC routers for a number of years," Harrington said. "The machining center is taking the place of routing and vertical-type drills." The machining center allows the company to do up to 12 workpieces at a time, Harrington said. After all the machining operations have been completed it is a "totally finished part" without need of further machining, Harrington added.
EFFICIENT PLANT HELPS COMPANY CONTROL COSTS In the past two years, Warvel Products-North Carolina has experienced dramatic price increases for the raw materials used to produce curved plywood components. These components are then sold to contract furniture manufacturers such as Haworth.
"We had 30 percent increases in our raw material costs," said sales manager Robbie Wiltcher, "so we have improved plant efficiency by purchasing machinery and technology that would allow us to absorb as much (of the price increase) as possible without passing these costs on. It is important for us as a vendor to help our customers be as competitive in their markets as possible." One of the ways Warvel did this was through the purchase of a multiple-station, four-axis CNC machining center from C.M.S North America. The machining center allows the company to mount up to six components at a time, and complements the company's existing three and five axis machining centers, Wiltcher said.
This is important, considering the amount of product which is shipped from the company's plant in Linwood, N.C. Approximately 100,000 parts a month are produced at the facility, the majority of which are customized. The company has a catalog with standard components, but Wiltcher said that 80 percent of the company's orders are made per customers specifications.
"The machine is capable of multiple machining tasks," Wiltcher said. "In most cases all that's left to do is light sanding and tee-nut installation where required." Another benefit, Wiltcher added, is the very tight tolerances obtained with the machine. The company supplies curved plywood which must integrate with plastic and steel components in ergonomic chairs.
"It is essential to be able to maintain tight tolerances in the various required operations such as drilling on angles, profiling and notching so that all of the different chair components fit together the way they were engineered. This machine provides all of these things," Wiltcher said.
To increase productivity even further, the company purchased machines and software that complement the machining center, including a digitizing machine. The digitizer will read a template part and the software will create a program which is downloaded into the machining center. The company also uses the system to internally produce its own compound tooling.
"The system has reduced the lead time on new tooling from months to days," said Wiltcher. "All of these capabilities assists our customers in bringing many new products to market rapidly and competitively." HIGH-TECH HELPS HIGH-END ARCHITECTURAL FIRM Powell Cabinet & Fixtures of Sparks, Nev., is a high-end architectural woodworking company whose work ranges from luxurious residences to glistening casinos.
The 42-year-old company, which bills itself as the oldest architectural woodworking company in the state of Nevada, is owned by the father/son team of Roger and Bill Powell.
One of the company's most recent projects was for the new Luxor Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas. The company did a variety of work at the hotel, including a 3 1/2-inch thick, 13-inch wide, solid-mahogany handrail that was built on a 255-foot radius. The handrail also featured solid-cast bronze support pieces and etched glass.
The handrail was manufactured utilizing a Komo VR 512 CNC machining center the company got in January 1993. Prior to that, the company had been doing everything with multiple machines. "The machining center is exceptional on irregular shapes and curves," Bill Powell said.
"It is more adaptable than to have a journeyman do it by hand. The radius work takes more time to program, but instead of having a journeyman woodworker spend several days on something, the machine will produce the same product in significantly less time." Powell added that there is a learning curve to the machine. "The purchase of the machine is just the first step," Powell said.
"The time that it takes to learn how to program and operate it is a major expense, as is the tooling and all the programming updates that are needed to keep up-to-speed." But while these factors need to be taken into account, Powell said he thinks it is becoming essential for companies to invest in high-technology equipment. According to Powell, one of the reasons the company purchased the machining center was because "the quantity of qualified, journeyman cabinetmakers that can produce this type of work is diminishing. You have to rely on the technical aspects of the industry to help fill that void," he said.
COMPANY GROWS A STEP AT A TIME When Denny Beuter and Bob Bloss formed Diamond Cut Inc. eight years ago they had a plan. The two men wanted their South Bend, Ind.-based company to become a leader in the field of commercial sound equipment. A daunting task made all the more difficult considering they did not own any sophisticated equipment.
"We went on the premise that we needed extremely good equipment to make a really good product," said Beuter. "But in order to get good equipment you have to have a product with enough volume to keep the machine running." What Beuter and Bloss did was to start slowly, acquiring equipment and producing parts for other companies. "We would do cutting and edging, anything to get work into the plant," Beuter said. "To sell machine time you have to do everything a little bit better than what the (source) companies can do in their own shop. We got real good, real fast, because otherwise we had to eat the cost of the job." From doing this job-shop-type-work, the next step was doing contract work. "My partner (Bloss), whose background is in the speaker business, went out (to speaker companies) and said, 'We can make speakers boxes for you and we can do them with high precision,'" Beuter said.
Diamond Cut began producing speaker cabinets for such companies as JBL and Panasonic. The product Panasonic wanted the company to produce necessitated an equipment upgrade. "The Panasonic people wanted a (speaker) box that was trapezoid shape," Beuter said. "This product would have been almost impossible to make with the router we were using." Beuter and Bloss chose a U-26 Morbidelli machining center from Tekna Machinery. The machine not only allows them to produce the trapezoidal shapes, it also has reduced labor costs. "For example, we had one full-time worker on the payroll whose only job was to make jigs, Beuter said. "I have no more jigs." While Diamond Cut has grown, with sales projected to reach around $2 million in 1994, the company continues to move toward that plan. In 1993, the company started a proprietary line of heavy-duty commercial sound equipment under the moniker, Bull Frog.
The Bull Frog equipment is sold throughout the United States and a number of countries around the world. "For 24-hours a day, for the last three months, we have been so busy with our own proprietary work that we have not been able to do any outside work, Beuter said.
"Hopefully by the end of the year we will be completely out of contract work." BOOTH MAKER FINDS SIGN TO SUCCESS Utilizing a variety of materials, Farmington Displays of Farmington, Conn., creates trade show displays for companies in industries as diverse as food, computers and guns.
Farmington Displays, which was founded in 1973 by Paul DiTommaso Sr., counts 278 companies as its clients. On average, Farmington Displays' clients update their booths every three to five years.
"We have a pretty good job flow," said general manager Sal DiTommaso, son of Paul Sr. and one of three sons and a daughter currently working for the company. "Not everybody is building their booth at the same time." Farmington Displays boasts an impressive client list, including General Electric, NEC and gun manufacturer Smith & Wesson. In the traditionally very labor-intensive field of display manufacturing, the company stands out for its use of high-technology equipment. More than three years ago, after extensive research on available machinery, the company began its investment in CNC machinery.
"The first thing that sparked my interest in obtaining CNC machinery was watching one of my men cutting out an eight-foot circle," said Sal DiTommaso. "It was so archaic, I just said there had to be another way to do it." Farmington Display's plant now features two Heian CNC routers and a computerized panel saw from Stiles Machinery, as well as a computerized graphic/design laboratories linked together as a Local Area Network.
The Heian machining centers have allowed the company to branch out into areas such as manufacturing signage and store fixtures. Farmington Displays had always created graphics for signs, but the CNC routers allow the company to manufacture them in-house. Additionally, the company is now doing contract machining for other, non-competing manufacturers.
To create their distinctive products, the company utilizes a variety of materials. On its CNC routers, the company utilizes everything from acrylics to solid woods. On a separate metal machining center the company works with brass and other metallic alloys. "We don't farm anything out," DiTommaso said. "We try to keep everything in-house so that we have complete quality control over the finished product." FAMILY-OWNED LUMBER YARD SEIZES CHANCE TO DIVERSIFY ITS BUSINESS In 1922, Hans Lars founded Hansen Lumber in Galesburg, Ill. Over the next 70 or so years, the business would be handed down from family-member to family-member, and would remain a traditional lumber yard.
It remained solely a lumber yard until two years ago when Hansen Lumber seized an opportunity to diversify. The company was asked to do some circular panel cutting for a Galesburg-based manufacturer of wooden reels. Approximately a year later that manufacturer, who believed the reel industry was going to dominated by the use of plastics, first contemplated shuttering the facility and then offered to sell the business -- and its client list -- to Hansen Lumber.
The family-owned company, currently being run by Shard Hansen, the founder's grandson, with help from his daughter Karen (the fourth-generation family member in the business), decided to purchase the company, and quickly realized the need to upgrade its equipment.
"Taking up wire or rope around a reel must be done at very high feed rates, especially if it is a small diameter wire, because unless your doing it at a 1,000 feel a minute it would take forever to wind," said Hansen, "so the arbor hole has to be exact. If the arbor hole is off center the whole thing will be jerking." A little more than a year ago the company purchased a CNC machining center from Accu-Router. The machine features two vertical routers, which can machine 1 1/2 inch southern yellow pine industrial grade plywood used for the flanges on the reels and maintains tight tolerances.
Prior to working with the machining center, the company would have to cut out a square and in subsequent steps radius the panel down to the required size and shape.
Having a high-technology machining center not only provides for accuracy, it also helps to utilize the plywood. "Our flanges range in size from eight inches to 48 inches round," said Hansen.
"When we are cutting the circles, we can nest them in such a fashion that we get great yield and waste is very nominal." CNC EQUIPMENT HELPS CARVING COMPANY MAKE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC Investing, not only in new equipment, but also in the training of its workforce has helped this Thomasville, N.C.-based carving company increase its capacity while reducing its overhead.
Founded in 1968, Piedmont Carving carves furniture parts -- specializing in chair parts -- and parts for such musical instruments as the cello and guitar.
Over the last few years, the company has sold some of its older carving machines and invested that money in computerized machinery including CNC Robot Carvers from Thermwood Corp.
"We used to have 13 carving machines and we would run all of them in one shift," said Gay Jones, who along with her twin brother Ray, and her father, company-founder Jimmy, own the business. "We sold three carving machines and still are projecting to triple our capacity with the robotic carvers." The company has reduced its labor costs in part by computerizing its carving, but also by cross training its 29 employees so that they can work on other machines in the shop.
Learning to efficiently use the CNC robot was a difficult challenge for the company, Gay Jones said, "but I'm glad we did because it gives us an advantage over companies who are just now getting into robotic carving." Piedmont Carving bought its first robotic carver four years ago. The company is planning to purchase additional machines.
One of the benefits of computerized machinery is consistency. This is important when Piedmont is crafting its furniture and musical instrument components.
"Chair parts have to fit together perfectly when they're sent to the manufacturer," Jones said. "With the robotic carving everything stays so consistent. This consistency is also very important when we are doing the musical instruments because the craftsmanship that goes into the part can affect the sound." CARVING WOOD PARTS 20 AT A TIME Intricate handcarvings are being quickly and accurately duplicated by Carving Research Inc. of Huntersville, N.C., using a 20-head Kitako CNC Machining Center distributed by Tekmatex Inc.
Carving Research is a 2-year-old, 12-employee company with projected 1994 sales of $840,000. The company supplies intricate wood carvings to such major residential furniture makers as Henredon Furniture Industries Inc. and Baker Furniture Co.
What once had to be done one at a time by master handcarvers can now be done 20 at a time by the company. This results not only in time savings but cost savings as well, without sacrificing the look of the product, according to company owner Tom Bowker. An example of the speed of the machine is a rice carved bed post; typically it would take a master handcarver approximately six to eight hours to complete, "while we can do it in an hour," Bowker said.
To produce the carvings, an initial handcarved template is made. This carving is sent to Tekmatex, where a digitizing machine creates a computer program which can be downloaded into the machining center. Once this program is completed, an infinite number of a given carving can be created with precision.
There are certain "essential ingredients" to creating the carvings, said Bowker. Tooling is one of the most important. Because of the nature of the product, the Carving Research utilizes unique tooling, including a razor-sharp veining bit developed by Oertli Woodworking Tools Inc. that leaves such a clean cut, that secondary carvings are not necessary, Bowker said. Another example is a 1/16-inch flat-bottom or straight router bit which is used on many of the carvings.
"Nobody else uses anything like that," Bowker said.
"Because of the intricacies of many of the carvings, we have to use a wider variety of tooling including some carbide tooling, than what you would use if running a normal carving operation. Many of our bits have to be small because you have to get in and do a cut and make it look like it was done with a chisel.
June 17, 2024 - In recent years, the CNC custom machining industry is booming at an unprecedented rate, constantly showing exciting new trends and new opportunities.
With the rapid development of advanced technology, the CNC custom machining industry is taking great strides in the direction of high intelligence. The application of innovative technologies such as intelligent sensors, intelligent monitoring systems and automated programming software makes the processing process more accurate, efficient and reliable. Many enterprises have increased investment in intelligent equipment, such as Honscn introduced the most advanced intelligent machining center, not only to achieve unattended long-term continuous operation, but also to analyze data in real time, optimize processing parameters, greatly improving production efficiency and product quality.
In terms of customization, the continuous growth of market demand is driving the in-depth development of the industry. Today, consumers are increasingly hungry for personalized products, whether in aerospace, automotive manufacturing or electronic devices, there is a high demand for unique components and products. CNC custom processing enterprises respond positively, through flexible production mode and exquisite technology, to meet the customer's various creative customization needs. Honscn has successfully created exclusive high-precision parts for many well-known enterprises by virtue of its excellent customization capabilities, and has won widespread praise and market share.
Digital transformation has also become one of the key trends in the CNC custom machining industry. With technologies such as big data, cloud computing and the Internet of Things, enterprises can achieve comprehensive monitoring and management of production processes, from order receipt, process design to production and processing and quality inspection, and can achieve digital collaboration and optimization. At the same time, digitization also provides enterprises with a huge amount of data resources. By analyzing these data, enterprises can better understand the market dynamics and customer needs, so that they can make more informed decisions. Honscn uses the digital platform to achieve efficient docking with suppliers and customers, greatly shortening the production cycle, and enhancing the competitiveness of the enterprise.
In addition, the concept of green sustainable development is also deeply affecting the CNC custom processing industry. Enterprises are paying more and more attention to energy conservation and emission reduction, using environmentally friendly materials and green processes. Many companies have begun to develop and apply energy-saving equipment to reduce energy consumption and waste emissions by optimizing processing processes. For example, Honscn is committed to developing new environmentally friendly processing technologies, which not only reduces the impact on the environment, but also brings good economic and social benefits to the enterprise.
Industry experts pointed out that the future CNC custom machining industry will continue to accelerate on the road of intelligence, customization, digitalization and green. This requires not only the continuous technological innovation and management upgrading of enterprises, but also the joint support and efforts of the government, scientific research institutions and all sectors of society. The government should increase policy support and capital investment for the industry and encourage enterprises to carry out R&D and innovation activities. Scientific research institutions should strengthen cooperation with enterprises to promote the transformation and application of scientific and technological achievements; all sectors of society should also improve their awareness and attention to the industry and create a good atmosphere for its development.
One notable example is Honscn, which recently utilized CNC custom machining to create intricate components for the aerospace industry. Their highly precise manufacturing process enabled the production of lightweight yet durable parts that are crucial for aircraft performance. These custom parts not only met the strictest quality standards but also contributed to enhanced fuel efficiency and overall safety.
Another case is Honscn in the medical field. They employed CNC custom machining to fabricate custom surgical instruments with exacting specifications. The resulting tools offer surgeons greater precision and control during complex procedures, improving patient outcomes and care.
In the automotive sector, Honscn used CNC custom machining to produce unique engine parts that optimized engine performance and efficiency. These custom-engineered components gave their vehicles a competitive edge in the market.
Here are some trends in the CNC custom machining industry
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Technology upgrading: The CNC custom machining industry will continue to introduce new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, big data, etc., to improve production efficiency, processing accuracy and quality.
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Increased automation: With the development of automation technology, CNC custom machining equipment will become more intelligent and automated, enabling automated production, monitoring and adjustment.
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Increased demand for customization: Increasing consumer demand for personalized products will drive the CNC custom machining industry to become more flexible and diversified to meet the needs of different customers.
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Green manufacturing: Increased environmental awareness will encourage the CNC custom machining industry to adopt more environmentally friendly materials and processes, reducing the impact on the environment.
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Industry consolidation: As market competition intensifies, there may be consolidation in the CNC custom machining industry, and some small enterprises may be acquired or merged by large enterprises to improve market competitiveness.
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High-end development: The CNC custom machining industry will gradually develop to high-end, producing higher precision and more complex products to meet the needs of high-end fields such as aerospace and medical.
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Global layout: In order to reduce costs and expand the market, CNC custom machining companies may be laid out on a global scale to establish production bases and sales networks.
Some of Honscn's advantages in CNC machining
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High precision and high quality: We have advanced CNC equipment and exquisite technology, to ensure that the processed products have high precision and stable quality, to meet a variety of strict standards and requirements.
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Efficient production capacity: Through optimized processing process and automated equipment, we have fast and efficient production capacity, can deliver customer orders in time, shorten the production cycle, and improve customer satisfaction.
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Rich processing experience: Over the years, we have focused on the field of CNC machining and accumulated rich industry experience. Whether it is complex parts or special workpieces, we can cope with it freely and provide reliable processing solutions.
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Customized services: According to the individual needs of customers, flexible adjustment of processing programs to achieve unique customized production to meet the diverse needs of different customers in different fields.
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Strict quality control: A sound quality control system has been established, from raw material procurement to processing and then to finished product inspection, layers of control to ensure that each product achieves excellent quality.
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Advanced technical team: Our technical team continues to learn and explore the latest technologies, and can apply new technologies to production in a timely manner to maintain a leading position in the industry.
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Cost benefit advantage: Through optimizing production management and resource allocation, effectively control costs under the premise of ensuring quality, and provide customers with cost-effective products and services.
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Good customer service: always uphold the concept of customer first, provide a full range of customer service, maintain close communication with customers, solve customer problems in a timely manner, and establish long-term stable cooperative relations.
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Innovation ability: Encourage innovative thinking, can constantly improve processing technology and methods, to provide customers with more innovative and competitive products.
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Stable supply chain: We have established long-term cooperative relations with high-quality raw material suppliers to ensure the stable supply of raw materials and provide a strong guarantee for production.
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