Because CNC machines are capable of automating various processes and achieving the same results with a higher level of precision, the method has been incorporated into many different industries.
CNC machines are now being used to cut, grind and polish raw materials in multiple manufacturing processes. Indeed, CNC has changed the way most industries operate by adding automation, reducing costs, and increasing production efficiency.
Transportation industry
Components of vehicles, aeroplanes and trains are mostly produced via a method called metal removal. Metal removal involves stripping metal from the raw material in order to end up with only useful components. Parts of cars such as the gears, shafts and bodywork are produced through metal removal.
CNC machines are now being used to accurately drill, mill, bore and tap into various materials during metal removal. As opposed to previous times when the process was done through manual or handheld devices, manufacturers are now opting for automated CNC machines that can be programmed to operate with higher precision and at a lower cost. This has made manufacturing processes in the transportation industry to become more efficient.
Woodwork
Manufacturers working with wood have relied on manual processes and equipment for many years. Highly skilled operators were often relied on to drill, polish and curve wooden products.
With CNC machining, woodwork has become more efficient. Computer software can be programmed with specific instructions to cut, shape and drill through wood with higher accuracy. End products have therefore become more cost effective to produce without compromising on quality.
Robotics
The emergent robotics industry is fuelled by CNC machining. Because automation and artificial intelligence lies at the heart or robotics, CNC machines play an important role in transmitting signals to machines in order to get a specific response.
The programming of CNC can be done within a 3-dimensional space to facilitate the real-time movement of robots.
Metal fabrication
Perhaps the biggest beneficiary of CNC machining, the metal fabrication industry stands to become revolutionised by machine automation. The fabrication of metal sheet components through welding, shearing, and laser cutting can now be automated by using CNC machines. In the past, conventional machines would be used by operators to cut, shape and polish metal sheets.
CNC machines can now be programmed to modify metal sheets and to fabricate them into the desired end product through automated processes. Welds, plasma cuts, and polishing instructions can be fed into a software application that will then relay the instructions to the CNC machine.
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