CNC fabrication involves the use of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines to shape and resize a block of material (known as a workpiece) by automatically removing bits of the material. Typically, the materials used are plastic or metal, and when the removal is completed a finished part of the product has been produced. This process is also referred to as subtractive manufacturing. To carry out CNC fabrication, a computer application is used to control the movement of a machine that has changeable machine tools
This machining is a much faster process than traditional machining by hand. As long as the computer code is correct and tallies with the design, the resulting part will be highly accurate and precise to very tight tolerances.
CNC machining processes include the two most common – milling and turning, as well as grinding, routing and electrical discharge machining (EDM).
CNC milling involves removing material using rotary cutting tools. Either the workpiece remains still and the cutting tools move into it or the workpiece is fed into the machine at a predetermined angle to the tool axis. The more axes of movement a machine has, the more intricate and complex shaping can take place and speedier results are obtained.
It applies a lathe to fabricate parts that contain cylindrical features. The workpiece is rotated on a rod against precision turning tools to create rounded edges, radial and axial holes, slots and grooves
It applies rotary cutting tools to the workpiece surface, moving along 3, 4 or 5 axes. Milling basically means cutting or trimming the workpiece, and can rapidly produce complex geometries and precision parts from metals or thermoplastics.
CNC machining processes include the two most common – milling and turning, as well as grinding, routing and electrical discharge machining (EDM).
3
axis CNC milling is still one of the most popular and widely used machining
processes. In 3-axis machining, the workpiece is held in place while the rotary
cutting tool cuts along three axes, x, y and z. 3-axis CNC is most often used
for drilling holes, milling slots and cutting around sharp edges. It’s a
relatively simple form of CNC machining that yields simple results. It isn’t
ideal for complex geometry or parts for complex assemblies.
As it only cuts on three axes, the process may also be
slower than 4 or 5-axis CNC, as the workpiece may need to be manually
repositioned to attain the required shape.