'''CNC''' stands for ''Computer Numerically Controlled'', and refers specifically to the [[computer]] control of machine [[tool]]s for the purpose of manufacturing complex parts repeatedly. Many types of tools can have a CNC variant:
* [[Lathe]]s
* [[Milling Machine]]s
* [[Grinding wheel]]s
* [[Drill]]s
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 [[CAD]] packages, so an assembly or part can go from design to production without any intermediate drawing work being required.