Today's machining industry, traditional machining equipment has been unable to meet the quality needs. CNC machine tool equipment replaces ordinary machine tools, and automatic processing equipment such as precision CNC machining and CNC lathe processing replaces traditional machine tools. The following will take you to understand the advantages of CNC machining machine tools and the order of precision mechanical parts processing.




What are the advantages of CNC machine tools?



In the process of machining mechanical parts, CNC machining machine tools have the following advantages:

1.CNC machining center has high precision and high processing quality.CNC machine tools are renowned for their exceptional precision and accuracy. They use computer-controlled movements and specialized software to perform tasks with minimal error margins. Unlike human operators, CNC machines consistently reproduce identical parts to exact specifications.

2.CNC machining parts can be multi-coordinate linkage, can process complex shape parts.CNC machine tools offer remarkable flexibility and versatility compared to traditional manual machines. With the ability to change tooling and adapt to various operations quickly, they are ideal for manufacturing complex and intricate components.

3.CNC machining process change, generally only need to change the numerical control program, can save production preparation time.CNC machine tools offer remarkable time-saving benefits. Traditional manual machining methods are time-consuming and labor-intensive, requiring extensive set-up and constant manual adjustments. In contrast, CNC machines can be easily programmed to perform complex operations accurately, greatly reducing production lead times.And CNC machining machine tool itself has high precision, large rigidity, can choose a favorable processing amount, high productivity (generally 3 to 5 times of ordinary machine tools).

4.CNC machining belongs to CNC machining equipment, high degree of automation, can reduce labor intensity.Although the initial investment in CNC machine tools may be higher than manual machines, they offer substantial long-term cost savings. These machines reduce labor costs since they require fewer operators for operation and supervision. Moreover, CNC machines minimize material wastage by executing precision cuts and reducing human errors, leading to significant material savings.

5.Increased Productivity and Efficiency.One of the most significant advantages of CNC machine tools is their ability to increase productivity and efficiency. These machines can operate around the clock, minimizing production downtime and maximizing output. Once programmed, they can perform complex tasks with minimal supervision, freeing up manpower for other critical areas of production.

CNC machine tools have ushered in a new era of production efficiency, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness. With precision, productivity, flexibility, cost savings, time-saving advantages, and the right skillset, businesses can harness the full potential of CNC machines and stay ahead in the competitive manufacturing industry.






Then the order of precision machinery parts processing is divided into what kinds？


Each processing method has its processing sequence. Our operators need to process in accordance with its processing order, but not disorderly, so that it will have a certain impact on the processed products, or quality problems. Precision machining is one of them, then the order of precision mechanical parts processing is divided into what kinds.



The arrangement of fine parts processing should be based on the structure and blank situation of the parts, as well as the needs of positioning clamping, and the focus is on the rigidity of the workpiece is not destroyed.


The processing of the previous process can not affect the positioning and clamping of the next process, and the processing process of general fine parts in the middle of the cross should also be considered comprehensively;
Stop the inner cavity processing sequence first, and then stop the outer shape processing process;
The process of processing with the same positioning, clamping method or the same knife is best connected and stopped to reduce the number of repeated positioning, the number of tool changes and the number of moving platen. Shenzhen Machining;
In the same device to stop multiple processes, should be arranged first to the workpiece rigid damage process.

Tool concentration sorting method: It is divided into processes according to the tool used, and all the parts that can be completed with the same tool are processed. In the second knife, the third knife to complete the other parts they can complete. This can reduce the number of tool changes, shorten the idle time, reduce unnecessary positioning errors.

Processing parts sorting method: On the processing content of a lot of parts, according to its structural characteristics will be processed local dividends several parts, such as internal shape, shape, surface or plane. Ordinary first processing plane, positioning surface, after processing holes; First processing simple geometric shapes, then processing complex geometric shapes; The parts with lower precision are processed first, and then the parts with higher precision requirements are processed.

In short, the current precision machinery parts processing technology is very advanced, high quality and high production efficiency.

HONSCN Precision has 20 years of cnc machining experience. Specializing in cnc machining, hardware machinery parts processing, automation equipment parts processing. Robot parts processing, UAV parts processing, bicycle parts processing, medical parts processing, etc. It is one of the high-quality suppliers of cnc machining. At present, the company has hundreds of cnc machining centers, grinding machines, milling machines, high-quality high-precision testing equipment, to provide customers with precision and high-quality cnc spare parts processing services.

1. The unmarked shape tolerance shall meet the requirements of gb1184-80.
2. The allowable deviation of unmarked length dimension is 0.5mm.
3. Unspecified fillet radius R5.
4. All undeclared chamfers are C2.
5. Blunt acute angle.
6. Blunt sharp edges, remove burrs and flash.
1. There shall be no scratch, scratch and other defects damaging the part surface on the part processing surface.
2. The machined thread surface shall be free of defects such as black skin, bump, random buckle and burr.
Before painting, rust, scale, grease, dust, soil, salt and dirt must be removed from the surface of all steel parts to be painted.
3. Before derusting, remove grease and dirt on the surface of iron and steel parts with organic solvent, alkali solution, emulsifier and steam.
4. The time interval between the surface to be coated by shot peening or manual derusting and the primer shall not be more than 6h.
5. The surfaces of riveted parts in contact with each other must be coated with a thickness of 30 40 before connection M antirust paint. Lap edges shall be closed with paint, putty or adhesive. The primer damaged due to processing or welding shall be repainted.
3 Heat treatment of parts:
1. After quenching and tempering, HRC50 55.
2. Medium carbon steel: 45 or 40Cr parts are subject to high-frequency quenching, tempering at 350 370 , and hrc40 45.
3. Carburizing depth 0.3mm.
4. Carry out high temperature aging treatment.
4 Technical requirements after finishing
1. The finished parts shall not be placed directly on the ground, and necessary support and protection measures shall be taken. 2. The machined surface shall be free of rust, corrosion, bumps, scratches and other defects affecting performance, service life or appearance.
3. There shall be no peeling on the surface finished by rolling.
4. There shall be no oxide scale on the surface of the parts after heat treatment in the final process. The finished mating surface and tooth surface shall not be annealed
5 Sealing treatment of parts:
1. All seals must be soaked with oil before assembly.
2. Before assembly, strictly check and remove the sharp corners, burrs and foreign matters left during part processing. Ensure that the seal is not scratched during installation.
3. The excess adhesive flowing out shall be removed after bonding.
1. After the gear is assembled, the contact spots and backlash on the tooth surface shall comply with the provisions of GB10095 and gb11365.
2. The reference end face of the gear (worm gear) shall fit the shaft shoulder (or the end face of the positioning sleeve), and it cannot be checked with a 0.05mm feeler gauge. The perpendicularity between the gear reference end face and the axis shall be ensured.
3. The joint surface of gearbox and cover shall be in good contact.
1. The casting tolerance zone is symmetrical to the basic dimensional configuration of the blank casting.
2. Cold lap, crack, shrinkage cavity, penetrating defect and serious incomplete defect (such as under casting, mechanical damage, etc.) are not allowed on the casting surface.
3. The casting shall be cleaned without burrs and flash. The pouring and riser on the non machining indication shall be cleaned and flush with the casting surface.
4. The cast words and marks on the non machined surface of the casting shall be clear and legible, and the position and font shall meet the drawing requirements.
5. The roughness of non machined surface of casting, sand casting R, shall not be greater than 50 m
6. The pouring riser, flying thorn, etc. shall be removed from the casting. The residual amount of pouring and riser on the non machined surface shall be leveled and polished to meet the surface quality requirements.
7. The molding sand, core sand and core bone on the casting shall be removed.
8. The casting has inclined parts, and its dimensional tolerance zone shall be configured symmetrically along the inclined plane.
9. The molding sand, core sand, core bone, fleshy, sticky sand, etc. on the casting shall be shoveled, ground and cleaned.
10. The wrong type and boss casting deviation shall be corrected to achieve a smooth transition and ensure the appearance quality.
11. The wrinkle on the non machined surface of the casting shall be less than 2mm deep and the spacing shall be greater than 100mm.
12. The non machined surfaces of machine product castings shall be shot peened or roller treated to meet the requirements of cleanliness Sa21 / 2.
13. Castings must be water toughened.
14. The casting surface shall be flat, and the gate, burr, sand sticking, etc. shall be removed.
15. Casting defects such as cold shuts, cracks and holes that are detrimental to use are not allowed.
1. The nozzle and riser of each ingot shall have sufficient cutting amount to ensure that the forging has no shrinkage cavity and serious deflection.
2. Forgings shall be forged on a forging press with sufficient capacity to ensure full penetration in the forging.
3. Forgings are not allowed to have visible cracks, folds and other appearance defects affecting use. Local defects can be removed, but the cleaning depth shall not exceed 75% of the machining allowance. The defects on the non machined surface of forgings shall be cleaned and smoothly transition.
4. Forgings shall be free of white spots, internal cracks and residual shrinkage cavities.

Shenzhen, China With an array of advanced machining equipments and a team of qualified and experienced technicians and engineers, Runsom Precision boasts of supplying custom machined parts to their industrial clients in a timely manner. According to the spokesperson of the company, they can ship the custom machining parts within 48 hours of receiving the order from the client.
The spokesperson reveals that they maintain a streamlined machining process that makes them capable of shipping China machining parts that precisely meet the specifications supplied by a client. By supplying precision and custom parts in a timely and regular manner, they allow their industrial clients to keep innovating and producing new goods to gain a competitive advantage in the market. They deliver precision machined components within the scheduled time for industries to carry out their production work continually and without any interruption.
According to the spokesperson, they enjoy an excellent reputation in the industry for their outstanding China machining service . They maintain high precision of all machined components, including the holes, axis and the center distance. Moreover, they employ multiple machines for different types of components to help achieve the highest possible degree of precision. The multiple-machining technique proves very important to reduce the production cost and also shortens the project duration. This also gives them the ability to process complex components that need to pass through different machining processes.
Not only cost and customization, but Runsom Precision also focuses on the quality when it comes to supplying CNC Machining parts . The spokesperson maintains that their machining process is strictly according to the ISO 9001:200 standards and the machining of each component is monitored for their quality. According to him, with a stringent quality control measure, they take extra care to make sure that defect free machined parts are delivered to the clients. Their custom machining ensures that clients get the product that exactly meets their specification.
To know more about their machining process, one can visit their website
About Runsom Precision
Runsom Precision Co. Ltd, established since 2005, is a professional, customized, high precision machined components manufacturer based in Shenzhen, China. With years of experience in the manufacturing and services of CNC machined parts, precision engineering components, custom machined parts, Precision CNC machining service, injection molding parts and die casting parts, the company has established a high reputation for their high quality and nice service. They are able to provide one-stop services from initial concept to finished products.
Contact:
Lucy Zhang (sales)
Company: Runsom precision co.,ltd
Phone no: 86-755-3309675

There are instances where we are asked to CNC machine parts, product or a prototype that are either hard to machine, too complicated geometrically, will not yield great accuracy or simply cannot be machined. What do we do? For these scenarios, 3D printing the parts can be a great solution. So why not substitute CNC machining with 3D printing every single time? Well, there are advantages and disadvantages, pros and cons for each machine and process. So, which one is best for our needs? In which circumstances do we prefer one over the other? And is there another solution that might combine these two together to create a combo part? The basic difference between the two processes is that with CNC machining we are reducing material as we start with a foam block for example, carving it away; while with 3D printing we are layering on and adding material until we receive the final product, therefore called additive manufacturing. The 3D printer uses the same materials that make up the part it is creating, for instance ABS PLA and nylon, but it cannot switch between materials, whereas in CNC machining we can use several types of materials, often adding additional materials at the end. However, machining can be messy - Sometimes we need to use a dust collector while operating a CNC router machine to catch all that excess made in the drilling, carving and milling process, while there is less waste material produces in printing and the whole process is less noisy. CNC machining can be more precise providing more accuracy because the machines have a higher tolerance for heat. It can also result in a much smoother polished surface finish given the materials to be machined. 3D printers can actually distort a part, bend and warp if using too much heat on the layered material, so if exceptional smoothness is required the 3D printing will fall short. 3D printing is generally an easier more convenient process and not as labor-intense as CNC machining, since with machining we need to program, write a G-Code, set up different tools and speed, decide on cutting path and clean up after. However, the part size plays a role, as larger parts take longer to be printed adding layer by layer. Overall, 3D printing can assist in some cases of prototyping of high geometric complexity where the router tool cannot reach inside the shape. 3D printers can only use the area of the printer bed itself to fabricate the parts. Therefore, if large scale parts are needed they might not be able to fit in there. It is also not recommended for mass production as the materials are much more expensive and take much more time to fabricate. Therefore, 3D printing is more appropriate and more cost-effective for low volume production. CNC machining can rarely run unattended and requires skilled operator, while with 3D printing we can easily run the process unsupervised and it requires minimal training for its operator. However, CNC machining is an older practice (started in the 40's) and currently still has a stronger position in the manufacturing industry. 3D printing is relatively new and still evolving to be more useful and adaptable and still cannot be a full replacement for machining. In summary, the most appropriate technique to use will be determined by the material, geometric complexity, manufacturing volume and our budget. As a general guidance, we would switch to 3D printing mostly if fast turn-around in critical, if the part is too complex to be machined, for prototyping small volumes and if we need to use certain materials that cannot be easily machined. Having named most of the pros and cons for each technique, apparently there is a good solution that actually combines the two together to create one part. We often machine parts of the desired product using a CNC router, while fabricating other small yet more complex parts in the 3D printer, we then glue all parts together to make one unit. Another option is then to coat all glued combined parts with hard coat such as Polyurea, Styrospray or epoxy, then smooth and paint them. That way we both save time using the CNC machining process as well as being able to manufacture more complex parts combining the best of the two worlds together to create a hybrid.

Seven diverse wood products application reflect the diverse capabilities of CNC machining centers.
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.