TABLE OF CONTENTS Computer numerical control (CNC) is applied to a wide range of production processes in many industries. In the engineering industries it is applied to such processes as:
Machine tools, including
Milling machines and machining centres
Centre lathes and turning centres
Drilling machines
Precision, grinding machines
Electro-discharge machining (EDM) (spark erosion) machines
Die sinking machines
Sheet metal working machines, including
Turret punching machines
Riveting machines
Froming machines
Fabrication equipment, including
Flame cutting machines
Welding machines
Tube bending machines
Inspection machines for checking three-dimensionally (3D) contoured components.
It is evident from the wide and increasing use of computer numerically controlled machines in manufacturing industry that the advantages substantially outweigh the limitations.
High productivity Although the cutting speeds and feeds for CNC machines are the same as for manually operated machines, much time is saved by rapid traversing and positioning between operations. Also a wider range of operations is possible on a CNC machine, avoiding the necessity to pass the work from one machine to another for, say, each of drilling, milling and boring. This reduces the need for expensive jigs and fixtures, and avoids reserves of work in progress between operations. In addition, CNC machines do not become tired and they maintain a constant rate of productivity. If the work is robot fed, they can work lights out' through the night.
Design flexibility Complex shapes are easily produced on CNC machines. In...
