Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining is a common technique that is contemporarily utilized in the metalworking industry. As opposed to conventional machines, CNC machining makes use of computerized systems which facilitate superior output in complicated shapes for a range of materials. A renowned example is the CNC milling machine.
Why CNC machining stands out?
Previous machines which were known as numerical control machines (NC) located their positions via G-codes. These G-codes were manipulated manually by the user unlike in CNC machining whereby this task is computerized. In the most recent versions known as the parametric program, logical commands have been fixed in a manner that they can work together with these G-codes. This modified version allows users to regulate and manipulate system parameters effortlessly.
Benefits of using CNC machines:
The improvement in technology used in the manufacturing of these machines has brought about a number of benefits.
These include the following:
- There is improved speed, accuracy, productivity and efficiency of tasks - They significantly reduce the incidents of accidents since computerized systems minimize the contact between the tools and the user. This makes the metalworking process a more comfortable undertaking.
CNC Milling Machines:
CNC milling machines function by using a computerized system to transmit signals to a stepper motor controller. This system instructs the stepper motor on the direction to follow and the number of steps it is supposed to take. The motor is linked to the drive mechanism of the mill in the X, Y and Z axes. Some CNC milling machines are known to utilize a servo motor as a replacement for the stepper motor. They have below mentioned advantages:
- Metals can be cut at higher rates - Servo motors have a feedback loop which enables the machine to accurately resume to its initial position.
How to find the best CNC milling machines?
These machines have become essential in very many facets of life especially in the running of our businesses. The purchasing of this machines entail that you have to find the right kind of supplier or dealer. The following are tips to assist you in identifying the most ideal place where the machines can be obtained from:
- Check the quality of the milling machine. Visit online forums to get information on the available brands in the market and the most reliable brands according to customer reviews.
- Choose a supplier or dealer with professional staff and highly skilled personnel to repair your milling machine if it breaks down - If you are looking for a cost cutting option, some suppliers deal with second hand milling machines so, pursue such options.
Maintaining your CNC milling machine:
Once you have your milling machine purchased, some important tips can be followed to keep it in top condition. These machines are usually maintained by a set up process. This includes the below procedures:
- Wipe the table to the T-holder to keep it free it from fragments and rust.
- Place its vise down and tighten it with bolts. Straighten the vices using an indicator - Place every tool into collects and ensure they are safely locked.
- Set the collets into the changer of the tool as per to the manual of the machine.
- Confirm if the machine "knows" where it ought to stop. This is to guarantee that the machine makes an accurate cut. - Set the spindle on the zero point then ignite the machine again on the X and Y axes - Next, locate the Z point by lowering the spindle to the top of material. This point will be used as a reference in cutting other materials.
This simple setting up process guarantees that the CNC machining machine works efficiently for years on end. This process is to be repeated whenever the machine is heavily used.

The CNC in CNC Machining stands for Computer Numerical Control. CNC Machining is a process used in the manufacturing sector that involves the use of computers to control machine tools. Tools that can be controlled in this manner include lathes, mills, routers and grinders. On the surface, it may look like a normal PC controls the machines, but the computer's unique software and control console are what really sets the system apart for use in CNC machining. Under CNC Machining, machine tools function through numerical control. A computer program is customized for an object and the machines are programmed with CNC machining language that essentially controls all features like feed rate, coordination, location and speeds. With CNC machining, the computer can control exact positioning and velocity. CNC machining is used in manufacturing both metal and plastic parts. This state-of-the-art technology is fast and cost-efficient. Having computers play a vital and central role in operating and controlling the machine tools, as compared to doing so through levers or hand wheels, carries with it a whole lot of remarkable advantages. There is a significant increase in output and productivity. With machines doing most of the work through computer numerical control, more work is done in less time. There is also greater precision compared to manual machining; you get to go through the exact same process unerringly again and again. You get precise and accurate results. The precision of the process makes it possible to produce complicated and intricate parts with very little margin for error and material wastage. To make sure that the process remains this way, one has to have the best CNC machining services for support. You need to have people you trust to run to so that the machines and operations are kept problem-free as much as possible. Should problems arise, you need CNC machining services ready to come to your assistance to diagnose the problem and trouble shoot for you. You also need the best CNC machining services for regular maintenance and calibration of the machines. Precision can only be guaranteed if the machines stay in top form. You need CNC machining services people who know your operations and requirements and can provide you with the expert assistance that you need. They need to be responsive so that there is no undue disruption to work operations and no unnecessary delays. If they fail to respond fast and accurately, efficient and smooth operations at your end may be difficult to sustain. How CNC works? We have seen that the NC machine works as per the program of instructions fed into the controller unit of the machine. The CNC machine comprises of the computer in which the program is fed for cutting of the metal of the job as per the requirements. All the cutting processes that are to be carried out and all the final dimensions are fed into the computer via the program. The computer thus knows what exactly is to be done and carries out all the cutting processes. CNC machine works like the Robot. Some of the common machine tools that can run on the CNC are: Lathe, Milling machines, Drilling Machine etc. The main purpose of these machines is to remove some of the metal so as to give it proper shape such as round, rectangular , etc. In the traditional methods these machines are operated by the operators who are experts in the operation of these machines.

CNC machines offer precision machining to all. No matter what type of CNC machine it is that is being used, you can pretty much guarantee that it will offer precision machining that is absolutely unbelievable.
The machine itself is responsible for a lot of the precision; however, the operator and the programmers play a big role as well as the facility itself. Proper temperature control and good conditions allow for accuracy as much as 20 millionths in some instances.
Tolerances of CNC machines completely depend upon the type of CNC machine that is being used to complete the project. Each machine offers different tolerances. Of course a machine that operates off of several different axes will allow for closer, more specific tolerances. The four and five axes machines can produce specifically design parts that need precise measurements in order to work. Very tight tolerances are possible.
Exacting tolerances of 0.00004" to 0.004" is possible. (Otherwise, one to one hundred microns) Because these machines are computer numerical controlled (CNC) the possibility that production can be this precise is easy. No more do operators have to make sure that the placement of the material is precise and so on in order to achieve these standards. The computer technology can grind, cut, sand, etc to the dimensions specified by the program. They will be extremely close if not all the way there.
One of the great benefits of CNC machining is the ability of high tolerances on a repetitive basis. Because the machines are computer operated, repetitive work is easy to perform. The machine keeps running to the programs specifications until the work is complete. Another job that comes months down the road that has the same specifications can be performed easy. It just takes the downloading of the original program and the exact same specifications and tolerances will be repeated with this batch of work as well. Repetitive, high tolerance machining is one of the added benefits of CNC machining.
Tolerances are directly related to the quality of the CNC machines. This is why you will find that different companies who offer CNC machining services can offer different tolerances. Some may offer 0.001" tolerances and others will offer a variety of different tolerances. The higher the quality of the CNC machine and the programs that operate it, the better tolerance that you will be able to get.
Programmers, machinists, operators and the machines, have to work in direct relationship to one another. If all aspects are all the same page, the better the performance. If you have quality programmers and machinists, you will be able to get better performance out of your machines. It takes individuals who are skilled and knowledgeable in the area of CNC machining to perform to the best of the machines ability.
If you have any questions about ask your dealer of the CNC machines. They should be able to answer any questions that you may have and can explain the whole process better to you.

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.

Keeping your manufacturing and operational cost the minimum is the key to sustain in high competitive market and stay profit making. Equally, you've to supply your customers with the finest quality products that can challenge your rivals. Managing all these prerequisites is really challenging for small to big businesses today, and this is where most manufacturing units think of outsourcing CNC machining services from specialist shops. Being in manufacturing or fabrication business with great clientele counting aerospace, mining, defense, shipping, engineering and others, outsourcing your day to day CNC machining necessities generates a solid business prospect. When you're focused on different business and require CNC machined parts as a part of your manufacturing need, it doesn't make sense to owning a CNC machine with huge investment or hire expertise; instead, think of hiring CNC machining services, the way the business world thinks today. Why Outsource CNC Machines Services? Accessing Expertise The biggest benefit of outsourcing CNC machining services that inspires MNCs to SMEs is its easy access to expertise with no special investment for machineries or manpower. Contextually, here you're basically tapping and incorporating the know-how of a CNC machining shop in your supplies to make them superior. The machining shop uses the sophisticated series of CNC or Computer Numerical Control which can manipulate everything like milling, lathing, drilling, pressing, or finishing with the help of computerized system ensuring accuracy, speed, and uniformity of product finishes. Outsourcing expert services, thus, ensures you to execute supplies exactly as per the specs your customers require. Upholding Accuracy and Speed Maintaining absolute accuracy has been crucial to keep your customers satisfied since most industries today cannot even spare even a negligible error, which is obvious with human labors. CNC is designed to continue accuracy level by .99999 % once the design and program is fed into computer by a skilled CNC technician. Minimal fault during production means no wastage while you can cater any volume of supply and within the delivery schedule to your customers prepared with your CNC machining services. Reduced Labor Cost and Peaceful Production With CNC machining services, you don't have to depend on manual labor oriented companies or employ indoor labors. First of all, this helps you save a lot on labor cost while you get complete finishing solution including shearing, welding, framing, cutting or punching holes expending minimum on fabrication. Those who are still depended on manual labors know; how challenging it is to maintaining customer services with issues like labors on leave, sick, on vacation or labor disputes etc. No denying, your clients are least bothered about your labor issues and wants their deliveries on time with best finishes. Versatility with Increased Market All you need from your specialist CNC machining services is precision components as per your clients need. The biggest benefit of working with a CNC machine shop is they are masters to dispense any kind of sheet metal, fiber, or plastic finishes irrespective of how complex is the shape or design and amount of your order. Since everything is done by CNC machines, once the specs of your order is programmed and fed, the job is virtually finished. With increased versatility and capability , you can go ahead with new market possibilities.