CNC machines introduce

CNC machines are automated milling devices that make industrial components without direct human assistance. They use coded instructions that are sent to an internal computer, which allows factories to fabricate parts accurately and quickly. There are many different types of CNC machines, ranging from drills to plasma cutters, so they can be used to make a wide variety of parts. Though most are used industrially in manufacturing.

Kinds of machines

The most common CNC machines are milling machines, lathes, and grinders. Milling machines automatically cut materials, including metal, using a cutting spindle, which can move to different positions and depths as directed by the computer instructions. Lathes use automated tools that spin to shape material. They're commonly used to make very detailed cuts in symmetrical pieces, like cones and cylinders.

Grinders use a spinning wheel to grind down materials, and mold metal or plastic into the desired shape. They're easy to program, so they're usually used for projects that do not require the same precision as mills or lathes. Besides these, there are also CNC routers, which are used to make cuts in a variety of materials; as well as computer programmable 3D printers; and turret punches, which are used to make holes in metal or plastic. This technology can also be used with different types of cutters, including those that work with water, lasers, and plasma.

In the medical device sector, demands continue to increase for higher precision, repeatability and the highest quality surface finish. These requirements are met by machine tools through the use of highly rigid machine tool designs and innovative technologies which minimise vibration, heat generation and consequent thermal expansion effects.

The code used to program CNC units is generically called G-code. It contains information about where parts of the machine should be positioned, and tells the machine exactly where to place a tool. Most modern industrial CNC machines are tied into a network of computers, and receive operating and tooling instructions via a software file.

With the current boom in the medical device industry knowledge and experience of CNC machinery can be vital in sourcing out a career on the shop floor and this is from operator to lead level. This knowledge has become a vital aspect in the key requirement search for the large Medical Device Multinationals.

We are finding key recent trends in the medical device sector are the requirement for true 5-axis mill-turn machining - both for R&D prototyping and for volume production - together with the requirement for small footprint machine tools equipped with automation, lower energy consumption and lower running costs.

Datan cnc milling machine.