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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==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==