7 Things You Must Understand Before Starting CNC Machining Manufacturing Company

As CNC machining manufacturing results in high-quality parts with precision, so many customers prefer computerized numeric control (CNC) instead of conventional processes. Many new ventures are aiming to enter this potential market. However, it is vital that before starting a CNC manufacturing company, you must know some aspects. Being one of the experienced service providers, let us tell you the key factors as we go through this article.

We will cover the top 7 aspects in this article but you should also keep in mind the following preliminary steps to be considered:

  • Name of company
  • Location selection
  • Forecasting time horizons
  • Clustering
  • Cost
  • Innovative mindset:
    1. High-quality and specialized inputs
    2. Always try to provide a positive environment to encourage investments
    3. Civilized local market
    4. Make good relations with locally developed firms

Understand The Processes Involved In CNC Machining

Computer numerical control (CNC) is a machining technique that removes or subtracts material to make custom parts. The main CNC machining manufacturing processes are as follows:

  • CNC Milling
  • CNC Turning
  • CNC Drilling
  • CNC Tapping

CNC Milling:

CNC milling is the manufacturing process in which the spindle rotates and removes the material from a workpiece. It results in higher precision, accuracy and minimizes the lead time by increasing the production rate.

The production cycle in CNC milling comprises:

  • Designing on Computer aided designing (CAD software)
  • Converting CAD file into CNC program using Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software
  • Setting up the milling machine
  • Accomplishing CNC milling operations

Some of the CNC milling operations are as follows:

  • Angular milling
  • Face milling
  • Plain milling
  • Form milling
  • Straddle milling
  • Profile milling

CNC Turning:

The CNC turning process works on the principle of a lathe machine and is used for removing material from round bars and round tubes to get the desired shape.

Some of the main turning operations are as follows:

  • Hard turning: This process is done on material types which have a Rockwell hardness greater than 45. The hard turning process is beneficial where high precision is required.
  • Facing: This process is done where the depth of cut is very small and this process takes less time.
  • Grooving: This process is done by moving the cutting tool in the radial direction. For complex geometries with variable profiles, special tools are preferred by manufacturers.

CNC Drilling:

For the making of round holes in different parts, the process of CNC drilling is used. These holes can be used for bolting purposes in assembly.

Some of the products where CNC drilling plays a vital role are listed below:

  • Fabrication of metal parts
  • Wood manufacturing
  • Electronic components
  • Plastic manufacturing

CNC drilling machines are quite versatile. Their construction enables the interchangeability of drill bits for various types of drilling operations. This helps save a lot of time.

CNC Drilling:

In succession to CNC Drilling, the CNC tapping process is purely for making different types of threads in holes. The types of CNC tapping are:

  • Rigid tapping
  • Non-rigid tapping in which a tension-compression tap holder is used

The factors that have a direct effect on CNC tapping are:

  • Material of workpiece
  • Speed of cutting tool
  • Alignment setting of the tool holder
  • Cutting fluid
  • Hole depth

Understanding the benefits of using CNC machining manufacturing

Computerized numeric control (CNC) machining is the best technique to make parts and other equipment with precision and high accuracy, which helps operators to make complex parts with ease.

The following are the benefits of CNC machining manufacturing:

  • Make parts without wasting extra material
  • By using CAD/CAM software, greater accuracy is maintained
  • Saves time and increases the production rate
  • Ensures rapid assembly of parts
  • Alleviate the risk to personal safety
  • Higher efficiency
  • Minimizes the production cost
  • Ease in making more complex parts
  • Less human error
  • Simulation of prototypes is digitalized

Understanding types of machines used for CNC machining

The common types of CNC machines that contribute to making different parts of complex geometries are as follows:

  1. CNC lathe and turning machines
  2. CNC milling machines
  3. CNC laser machines
  4. CNC electrical discharge machines
  5. CNC plasma cutting machines

CNC Lathe and Turning Machine:

CNC lathes and turning machines are similar to each other. CNC lathe machines only do turning operations while CNC turning machining centers are more advanced in technology. Different operations of CNC turning machines are as follows:

  • Facing
  • Knurling
  • Threading
  • Drilling
  • Boring
  • Reaming
  • Taper turning

Different types of CNC lathe machines in terms of degrees of freedom (axes) are listed below:

  • 2 axes
  • 3 axes
  • 4 axes
  • 5 axes

CNC Milling Machines:

CNC milling machine has a rotating cutting tool while the workpiece is fixed. The advanced CNC milling machine comprises:

  • Automated tool changer
  • Advanced cooling systems
  • Use of software to improve the efficiency of manufacturing processes
  • Flexibility

The equipment and tools used in CNC milling machines are:

  • Endmills
  • Ball nose
  • Face mill
  • Taps
  • Reamers
  • Hydraulic tool holder

CNC milling machines concerning their functioning are as follows:

  • Horizontal milling machine
  • Vertical milling machine
  • Bed mill
  • Turret mill
  • Travelling column
  • Double column
  • Drill and tap
  • Double spindle

CNC Laser Machines:

→ As the name suggests that this CNC machine uses laser technology for performing different operations to manufacture customized products. CNC laser cutting machine uses high-power and focused laser beams for doing different operations on raw material.

→ CNC laser cutting machines give precise and accurate results as compared to other CNC machining units. CNC laser cutting machine uses lower energy and expends less cost.

→ Laser cutting machines are also used to incise complex geometries on smaller surfaces without leaving burrs.

CNC laser cutting machines are categorized in terms of laser cutters and these are as follows:

  • CO2 laser cutter
  • Crystal laser cutter
  • Fiber laser cutter

CNC Electrical Discharge Machines (EDM):

This type of machine uses electrical energy to disintegrate extra material by generating high-frequency sparks through electrodes which are made up of:

  • Copper
  • Brass
  • Graphite
  • Tungsten

Many manufacturers switch to Electrical discharge machines (EDM) when other CNC machining units cannot produce desired cuts like:

  • Sharp internal corners
  • Deep cavities

Electrical discharge machines (EDM) are categorized as:

1.Die sinking EDM:

2.Wire EDM

3.Hole drilling EDM

The benefits of electrical discharge machining (EDM) are:

  • Freedom + versatility in design
  • Distortion-free manufacturing
  • Sustainable precision and accuracy
  • Material hardness is not very important

CNC Plasma Cutting Machines:

CNC plasma cutting machine is operated through different coding software. Plasma cutting machines work by moving high-frequency plasma torches in various directions to perform different operations on a workpiece. Plasma cutting technology offers the ability for various operations in one setup time of the workpiece.

The benefits of CNC plasma cutting machines are listed below:

  • Versatile in cutting different metals such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and brass.
  • Increased productivity by using automation via CAD/CAM cutting software.
  • Efficiency is also enhanced due to minimum human involvement during manufacturing. Furthermore, no preheating or cooling is required.
  • Precise and accurate machining is achieved due to Computerized Numerical Control (CNC).

Understanding different types of cutting tools used for CNC machining

CNC machining uses different types of tools for the production of complex parts or geometries. Various types of CNC machine tools are given below:

  • Drill bits
  • Face mill
  • Thread tap
  • Countersunk mill
  • Ball end mill
  • End mill

Drill bits:

In CNC machining, a drill bit is used to make a hole by subtracting material from a workpiece. Different types of drill bits for CNC metal fabrication are as follows:

  • Indexable bit
  • Spade drill bit
  • Ejector bit

Some of the drill bits used in CNC woodworking are listed below:

  • Flat bit
  • Dowel bit
  • Augur bit

Parts of a common drill bit are shown in the figure below:

Drill bits with different material coating execution are given below:

● Titanium nitride

● Titanium carbonitride

● Titanium aluminum nitride

● Black oxide

● Twist drill bit

● Center and spotting drill bit

Face mill:

Shell mill is also the term used instead of face mill. A face mill is also used for surface finish and is always perpendicular to the workpiece.

Types of face milling cutters are:

  • Square end tip tool
  • Face mill tips with ball nose
  • Radius-tipped face mill
  • Chamfer tip tool

Different face milling operations are as follows:

  • General face milling
  • Heavy-duty face milling
  • High feed milling
  • Finishing with wiper insert

Considerations to optimize face milling:

  • Choose the right face milling tool
  • Must check technical parameters
  • Must ensure milling tools are sharp
  • Must check the tooltip before face milling

Thread tap:

Tapping is a CNC machining process to make threads in holes. There are many ways to make threads by use of CNC tapping. Some main types of tapping tools are:

  • Taper tap
  • Plug tap
  • Bottoming tap

Thread making through tapping is beneficial in many aspects, as given below:

  • Strength is high
  • Convenient in making blind holes
  • Endurance
  • Efficiency

Countersink mill:

Countersinking is a machining process where V-shaped edges at the hole face are required. The main purpose of making a countersunk is to align the bolt head with the surface of the part or body. Countersink mill tool with some common angles is listed below:

  • 60 degree
  • 82 degree
  • 90 degree
  • 100 degree
  • 110 degree
  • 120 degree

Ball end mill:

The ball end mill is also known as the ball nose end mill. This tool is used where smooth contours of the surface are required. The types of ball end mills with four flutes are as follows:

  • Carbide end mill
  • Cutting cobalt end mill
  • Single-end center cutting HSS end mill
  • Center cutting TC carbide end mill

End mill:

The end mill is also used for the removal of material from a workpiece, with a wide range of applications such as:

  • Profile milling
  • Tracer milling
  • Face milling
  • Plunging
  • Contouring
  • Slotting
  • Reaming

The end mill is also used for the removal of material from a workpiece, with a wide range of applications such as:

  1. Straight flute end mill
  2. Up and down cut end mill
  3. Ball nose end mill
  4. Roughing end mill

Undesrstanding different type of materials cut by CNC machining

 CNC machining operations are very modern in technology and offer quite a versatile portfolio for material machinability. The materials used to cut by CNC machining are:

  • Metals: Most common material used for CNC machining is metal which further includes:
    1. Stainless steel
    2. Aluminum
    3. Carbon steel
    4. Magnesium AZ31
    5. Brass
    6. Copper
    7. Titanium
  • Plastics: Plastic is also frequently machined by CNC. It includes:
    1. Acrylic
    2. Polycarbonate
    3. PVC
    4. Nylon
  • Ceramics: This material is very brittle, so very careful and modernized machining is required to achieve high-quality ceramic workpieces.
  • Composites: Composites are made of more than one material so their CNC machining is very challenging for the manufacturer. Composite machined parts are commonly used in automotive and aerospace industry applications.
  • Wood: Wood is majorly used as a medium for pattern manufacturing in casting operations. Moreover, it has more artistic applications in the furniture and decoration industry. It has different classes of materials and each material should be machined by considering its machinability.

Understand the Need For Proper Training

 Generally, you will manage to build machining resources for your new manufacturing facility. However, it is about the training of your employees that bridges the gap between three core aspects:

  1. Designing
  2. Programming
  3. Machining the parts correctly

Training seminars allow CNC technicians, engineers, and programmers to grasp key aspects. Such sessions also provide the machinists with much-needed confidence and satisfaction. Comprehensive training can comprise one or a combination of the following modes:

  1. Web-based tracked courses
  2. Video seminars
  3. On-site training sessions
  4. Complex prototype development for training
  5. Sessions on worker safety, quality management, and teamwork.

Knowing CNC programming software

 As the name suggests that CNC machines work with the aid of different software. Special machine languages called G code and M code are used to translate CAD model to CAM. So, understanding and developing skills regarding CNC software is very essential for CNC engineers and operators. If operators know the basics of machine and backend processing of CNC machines, then the manufacturability of complex parts with precision and accuracy is enhanced.

Engineers and operators work together to define various parameters in CNC programming including:

  • Tool path strategies
  • Spindle rate
  • Feed rate
  • Work plane setting
  • Tool offsetting
  • Tool material
  • Machining axis
  • Tool path optimization

Software used for programming CNC machines is listed as follows:

  • SolidCAM
  • NX CAM
  • PowerMILL
  • Mastercam
  • EDGECAM/li>
  • HSMWorks

Conclusion

To summarize, we hope that you have a sound knowledge of the top 7 aspects to consider before you start your own CNC machining manufacturing company. With the demand for custom parts and prototypes on the rise, CNC technology is playing a major role in today’s innovative era. It is just about building the right combination of CNC systems depending on the customers’ needs in your region and capitalizing on your strengths.

Worthy Hardware is a CNC manufacturing and sheet metal fabrication company,including CNC machining services,CNC milling services, CNC turning services, laser cutting services and stamping services.Call us +86-76989919645 or email us [email protected] for more discounts for your projects.

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