Computer Numerical Control: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 10:58, 15 July 2004

Revision as of 01:54, 24 July 2004

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The acronym '''CNC''' stands for ''Computer'''C'''omputer(ized) Numerically'''N'''umerical(ly) Controlled'''C'''ontrol(led)'', and refers specifically to the [[computer]] control of machine [[machine tool]]s for the purpose of (repeatedly) manufacturing complex parts repeatedly.in Manymetal typesas ofwell toolsas canother have a CNC variant:materials.

==Tools with CNC variants==

* [[Lathe]]s

* [[Milling machine]]s

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* [[EDM]]s

* [[Wood Router]]s

==Description==

The introduction of CNC machines radically changed the manufacturing industry. Curves were as easy to cut as straight lines, complex 3-D structures were relatively easy to produce, and the number of machining steps that required human action went way down.

In a production environment, all of these machines may be combined into one station to allow the continuous creation of a part involving several operations. CNC machines are nowadays driven directly from files created by [[Computer-aided design|CAD]] [[software]] packages, so that an assembly or part can go from design to production without any intermediate paper drawing work being required. In one sense, CNC machines may be said to represent special [[industrial robot]] systems, as they are programmable to perform any kind of machining operation (within certain physical limits, like other robotic systems).

CNC machines were relatively briefly preceded by the less advanced NC, or [[numerically controlled|Numerical(ly) Control(led)]], machines.

CNC machines are nowadays driven directly from files created by [[CAD]] packages, so an assembly or part can go from design to production without any intermediate drawing work being required.

==External link==

CNC machines were relatively briefly preceded by NC, or [[numerically controlled]], machines.

*[http://www.stoneworld.com/CDA/ArticleInformation/features/BNP__Features__Item/0,4046,65312,00.html ''Computers advance stoneworking technology''] – By Jill Critchley (Stone World; www.stoneworld.com), 10 Oct 2001

[[Category:Embedded systems]]

[[Category:Tools]]

[[Category:Metals]]

[[de:CNC]]