In the past, we've covered CNC tooling, CNC techniques and even
how to use CNC tool trays to build a tooling cart. But we’ve never covered the general topic of CNC machining. Time to fix that.
What Does CNC Mean?
CNC is an acronym for Computer Numeric Control. It refers to machines that cut or carve while being controlled by a computer using sophisticated software instead of a human. You could be using a router, mill or lathe. But this isn’t robotics. Attach saw blades, router bits, drill bits and face mills to a CNC machine and get the job done.
3D Machining
CNC machines run on an X axis and a Y axis. Think back to a piece of graph paper. The X axis runs across the paper on a horizontal line and the Y axis goes up. The bed of a CNC machine is like that piece of graph paper. The X axis is the horizontal and the Y axis is the vertical. But you've got more than two dimensions with CNC machining.You machine in three dimensions. CNC machines are like
3D printers because they recognize the Z axis. The Z axis refers to the movement of the tool up and down.
Digital Technology Changed Machining
Digital technology changed machining forever. Before the marriage of computers and drills, if you wanted to create many holes in a work piece, a human had to manually operate a drill press up and down. And feed the material. First, they manually inserted the drill bit in the spindle. It was labor intensive. Then someone figured that a computer could control the boring job of operating the drill press. Suddenly a program could contain the instructions to tell the machine how and when to move. The same program could be used to feed the stock. But the biggest change to machining began with computer assisted drawing (CAD). This technology allowed you to design something using computer software, then take more software to convert the design into a set of instructions that a machine could use to produce the work. Now humans control machinery with software instead of hands.
CNC Tool Trays, Saw Arbors and More
The Tool Company understands machining. Whether you need CNC tools or CNC tool trays to keep them safe and organized, The Tool Company has you covered. We support American manufacturing. We only sell American made products. Order your CNC tools and
CNC tool trays today from The Tool Company.
