Applications of cnc machines

APPLICATIONS OF CNC MACHINES

Initially, the CNC technology was applied on the basic metal cutting machine such as lathes, milling machines, etc. Later, CNC machines capable of performing multiple operations were developed to increase the flexibility of the machines in handling a variety of components and to finish them in a single setup on the same machine. To start with this, a concept was applied to develop a CNC machining centre for machining prismatic components combining operations such as milling, drilling, boring and tapping. Further, the concept of multi- operations was also extended for machining cylindrical components which led to the development of turning centers.

CNC is mostly applied in aircraft, automobile and general engineering industry. The following are the typical applications where the uses of CNC are justified.

1. Metal cutting industry for processes.

Milling, Drilling, Boring, Turning, Grinding, Sawing etc.

For production jobs where the

(i) part geometry is complex.

(ii) parts and processed frequently are in small lot size.

(iii) many operations must be performed on the part in its processing.

(iv) design changes are properly.

(v) close tolerances are necessary.

(vi) expensive part and a mistake would be costly.

2. In addition to metal cutting machines, CNC has also been applied to the following.

(i) Welding machines

(ii) Press working machine tools

(iii) Inspection machines

(iv) Wire-wrap machines

(v) Cloth cutting

(vi) Automated knitting machines

(vii) Laser beam processes

(viii) Flame and plasma cutting

(ix) Assembly machines etc.

The types of CNC machines used in these above-said fields are given below.

1. CNC machining centre

a) Horizontal

b) Vertical

c) Universal

2. CNC lathes

3. CNC turning centres

4. Turn-mill Centres

5. CNC milling/drilling machines, plane milling machines

6. CNC special purpose machines

7. Gear hobbing machines

8. Gear shaping machines

9. Wire Cut EDM/EDM

10. Tube Bending

11. Co-ordinate measuring machines (CMM)

12. Grinding machines

a) Surface grinder

b) Cylindrical grinder

c) Centreless grinder

13. CNC boring and jig boring machines

14. CNC guillotines

15. CNC transfer lines