Computer numerical control: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Wheel Machining.jpg|thumb|CNC machines typically use some kind of coolant, typically a water-miscible oil, to keep the tool and parts from getting hot.]]

[[File:Cnc lathe.png|thumb|A CNC [[metal lathe]] with the door open.]]

'''Computer numerical control''' ('''CNC''') or '''CNC machining''' is the [[Automation|automated control]] of [[machine tool]]s by a computer. It is an evolution of '''numerical control''' ('''NC'''), where machine tools are directly managed by [[data storage media]] such as [[punched card]]s or [[punched tape]]. Because CNC allows for easier programming, modification, and real-time adjustments, it has gradually replaced NC as computing costs declined. <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/numerical-control | title=Definition of numerical control }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=What Is A CNC Machine? |url=https://cncmachines.com/what-is-a-cnc-machine|access-date=2022-02-04|website=CNC Machines }}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia |last=Groover |first=Mikell P. |date=2024-10-28 |title=Automation - Numerical Control, Robotics, Manufacturing |url=https://www.britannica.com/technology/automation/Numerical-control#ref390752 |access-date=2025-03-18 |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]}}</ref>

A CNC machine is a motorized maneuverable tool and often a motorized maneuverable platform, which are both controlled by a computer, according to specific input instructions. Instructions are delivered to a CNC machine in the form of a sequential program of machine control instructions such as [[G-code]] and M-code, and then executed. The program can be written by a person or, far more often, generated by graphical [[computer-aided design]] (CAD) or [[computer-aided manufacturing]] (CAM) software. In the case of 3D printers, the part to be printed is "sliced" before the instructions (or the program) are generated. 3D printers also use G-Code.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2022-06-24 |title=What is CNC Milling and How Does it Work: Everything You Need to Know |url=https://www.3erp.com/blog/cnc-milling-everything-you-need-to-know/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=3ERP}}</ref>

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== Today ==

Now the CNC in the processing manufacturing field has been very extensive, not only the traditional [[Milling (machining)|milling]] and [[turning]], other machines and equipment are also installed with the corresponding CNC, which makes the manufacturing industry in its support, greatly improving the quality and efficiency. Of course, the latest trend in CNC<ref>{{Cite web |last=CapableMaching |title=CNC Machining Industry: new & important trend |url=https://capablemachiningcapablemaching.com/cnc-machining-industry/ |website=}}</ref> is to combine traditional [[Machining|subtractive manufacturing]] with [[3D printing|additive manufacturing]] (3D printing) to create a new manufacturing method<ref>Chang Y C, Pinilla J M, Kao J H, et al. Automated layer decomposition for additive/subtractive solid freeform fabrication[C]. 1999 International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium, 1999.</ref> - hybrid additive subtractive manufacturing (HASM).<ref>{{Cite journal |last=W. Grzesik/ |date=2018 |title=Hybrid Additive and Subtractive Manufacturing Processes and Systems: A Review |url=https://bibliotekanauki.pl/articles/99525.pdf |journal=Journal of Machine Engineering |volume=18 |issue=4 |pages=5–24|doi=10.5604/01.3001.0012.7629 |doi-broken-date=101 AprilJuly 2025 }}</ref> Another trend is the combination of [[Artificial intelligence|AI]], using a large number of [[sensor]]s, with the goal of achieving [[Flexible manufacturing system|flexible manufacturing]].<ref>L.C. Moreira, W. Li, X. Lu, M.E. Fitzpatrick Supervision controller for real-time surface quality assurance in CNC machining using artificial intelligence Comput. Ind. Eng., 127 (2019), pp. 158-168</ref>

==Examples of CNC machines==

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| [[Electric discharge machining]] || (EDM), also known as spark machining, spark eroding, burning, die sinking, or wire erosion, is a manufacturing process in which the desired shape is obtained using electrical discharges (sparks). Material is removed from the workpiece by a series of rapidly recurring [[Electric current|current]] discharges between two electrodes, separated by a [[dielectric fluid]] and subject to an electric [[voltage]]. One of the electrodes is called the tool electrode, or simply the "tool" or "electrode", while the other is called the workpiece electrode, or "workpiece".

EDM can be broadly divided into "sinker" type processes, where the electrode is the positive shape of the resulting feature in the part, and the electric discharge erodes this feature into the part, resulting in the negative shape, and "wire" type processes. Sinker processes are rather slow as compared to conventional machining, averaging on the order of 100mm100 mm³/min,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Klocke |first1=F. |last2=Schwade |first2=M. |last3=Klink |first3=A. |last4=Veselovac |first4=D. |date=2013-01-01 |title=Analysis of Material Removal Rate and Electrode Wear in Sinking EDM Roughing Strategies using Different Graphite Grades |journal=Procedia CIRP |series=Proceedings of the Seventeenth CIRP Conference on Electro Physical and Chemical Machining (ISEM) |volume=6 |pages=163–167 |doi=10.1016/j.procir.2013.03.079 |issn=2212-8271|doi-access=free }}</ref> as compared to 8x10⁶8 million mm³/min for conventional machining, but it can generate features that conventional machining cannot. Wire EDM operates by using a thin conductive wire, typically brass, as the electrode, and discharging as it runs past the part being machined. This is useful for complex profiles with inside 90 degree corners that would be challenging to machine with conventional methods.

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==Other CNC tools==

[[File:Cortadora Laser - FabLAB Newton.jpg|thumb|[[Laser cutter]] at a [[fab lab]]]]

Many other tools have CNC variants, including:

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*[[Touch probe]]

*[[List of computer-aided manufacturing software]]

*[[List of 3D printing software]]

==References==