Essay Sample on CNC & EDM Machining: Computer-Controlled Manufacturing Processes

CNC machining is a process used in the manufacturing sector that encompasses the use of computers to control machine tools like mills and grinders. The term CNC stands for computer numerical control and uses computerized controls. Another controlled computerized machine, such as Electrical discharge machining (EDM) which does not need mechanical force in the removal processes. EDM encompasses the direction of high-frequency electrical spark releases from a graphite or soft metal tool, which assists as an electrode to disintegrate electrically conductive materials such as hardened steel. Electrical discharge machining includes a manufacturing step by step activity that correctly separates material from conductive materials with the use of an electrode. With the same resemblance to pushing a form into the soft material, the electrode leaves a negative imprint in the workpiece (Mamilla et al., 2016). This activity involves a discharge occurs that separates material through melting. In this activity, the electrode and the workpiece have to be dipped in an electric fluid.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Another computer-controlled machine includes laser, plasma, flame-cutting machines, and routers. The laser is used in laser cutting, a technology used to cut in half elements. It is employed in an industrial manufacturing field and recently being used in a learning institution, small companies, and businesses. Laser cutting is designed to focus the output of a high power laser, usually via optics. The laser optics and CNC are used to focus the material, or the laser beam produced (Mamilla et al., 2016). A commercial laser for slicing materials employs a motion control system to track a CNC, which involves code and displays a pattern to be sliced on top of the material. The laser beam is directed at the material, which later melts and vaporizes into thin air, leaving an edge characterized with an excellent quality surface finish.

A CNC lathe is also another computerized machine which is replacing obsolete production lathes such as multispindle. CNC lathes are easy to set up and operate. It is designed to use modern versions of carbide systems and processes. A section can be designed for customization, and the machine's tool paths frequently are associated with programming using the CAD or CAM processes. Although, a programmer can set up a design a tool path by hand. The outcome includes a coded computer file that is ultimately uploaded to the CNC machine, and the machine will, in response, generate the desired tools for which it was programmed to design. These machines are highly flexible and therefore utilized in automotive industries, electronics, sporting industries, and others (Klancnik et al., 2016). A CNC lathe is also utilized to generate plane surfaces and screw threads. It can also generate three-dimensional elements that are compound, and some examples of items as an outcome of using CNC lathe machine include baseball bats, bowls, camshafts, and cue sticks.

CNC milling is another computerized machine that uses controls and spinning multi-point cutting tools to separate materials for the workpiece and generate a custom-designed tool. The process is efficient for machining a wide range of materials, for example, metal, plastics, glass, and wood, as well as generating various kinds of custom-designed elements. A variety of abilities are provided under correct CNC machine services, which involve mechanical, chemical, electrical, and thermal processes. CNC milling is a mechanical step by step activity in line with drilling, turning, and other kinds of machining processes, involving removal of the workpiece through mechanical means, such as the actions of the milling cuttings tool. Through the use of computerized controls, the CNC milling can operate and manipulate machine parts that assist in cutting and designing stock material. Also, the process is after the same primary production stages, which all CNC machining processes do, such as planning a CAD model, which can include a 2D. 3D, changing the CAD model to a CNC technology through the use of CAM software, which in response, propels the actions of the machine and the movement or parts. Other processes include operating the CNC milling machine and implementing the milling operation.

CNC machine tools consist of commands and controls for operations, motion, and drive systems and scaling for accuracy and repeatability. Commands and control for operations involve a CNC software that is used for operations. There are three types of software programs required in either of them, which include operating system software, machine interface software, and application software. The primary function of the operating system is to produce and control signals which operate the machine tool axes. The machine tool interface software is used to control the communication link between the central processing unit (CPU) and the machine parts tool axes to complete the control tasks. Also, in the application software, the program of instructions is the specific process commands that control the actions of the processing equipment (Klancnik et al., 2016). In machine tool applications, this program of instruction is called part programming. The individual command within the program consists of positions of cutting parts relative to the worktable on which the work part is a fixture. Extra instructions are usually included, such as spindle speed.

Motion and drive systems are other basic systems which include drives utilized to offer such kinds of controlled motion to the elements of a CNC machine tool. A drive system involves a drive motor and ball lead-screws. The control unit used amplified directed signals to actuate drive motors, which in turn rotate the ball lead-screws to place the machine table or cause rotation of the spindle. Some power drivers use an automated system, or the CNC system consists of various kinds such as electrical and hydraulic. In CNC, the drives include spindle drives, feed drives, and some electrical drives. A DC motor is a component that changes direct current into rotation of an element which uses mechanical energy. These motors can also be categorized into brushed DC motor and brushless DC motors.

The manufacturing industry dramatically depends on CNC machining involving operations that traditionally utilized engineer-operated equipment such as routers, CNC lathes, and mills (Mamilla et al., 2016). Manufacturing of various types in many industries chooses the benefits of CNC machining for their fabrication and manufacturing applications. It offers successful and correct production capacity perfect for creating large quantities of items usually generated with a router, grinder, center lathe, vertical miller, or shaping machine. CNC provides a variety of financial and production advantages over the conventional method. In manual lathing, for instance, a skilled technician should be present for each machine, while in CNC machining, it only requires one skilled person to operate several machines. In this case, CNC is highly efficient, highly improving the work of man. Ultimately, companies will choose CNC since it increases productivity and outcome at a lower cost. This efficiency is also assisted through time efficiency and offers human employees more time to take up other priorities. CNC combines the human workforce of both employees and software programs, and thus a more significant amount of goods or services is provided (Klancnik et al., 2016).

CNC machining reduces and can reduce personal risks in addition to increasing the efficiency and accuracy of the humans (Chakravarti & Yadav, 2019). Human risks involve sickness, fatigue, insufficient training, inconsistency, and mistakes. CNC can solve such problems associated with humans by increasing consistency, zero need for training, sick days, and other vacation leaves. Due to this, large companies can optimize their operation and also increase scalability improving productivity exponentially.

CNC machining offers an extensive range of metal and plastic elements that become a part of businesses and the general environment. The ability to generate an ultra-precise outcome in massive production across many application has made early machines to evolve to efficient CNC machining significantly. The digitalization aspect of CNC machining offers a great consistent outcome. CNC machines such as lathes and mills can do this because of an ability to correctly manage characteristics such as speeds, location, collaboration, and feed rate. Such machines control computerized machining through a custom G-code and computer programs significantly increasing efficiency than manual machines, and humans basically cannot perform well. Manufacturing finds CNC machining specifically useful since the industry requires excellent amounts of metal and plastic parts, usually in compound shapes. A variety of CNC machines provides the benefit of having multiple axes that can shift to challenging angles and assist in managing steel-hard materials. Manual machines and conventional machines possess a cutting implement along with X-and Y- axes that can work independently and still work concurrently. CNC machines can automate the tasks that need a variety of cuts through a spindle or router that turns the cutting implement (Chakravarti & Yadav, 2019).

CNC continues to grow more popular because of the advancement propelling large companies to prefer them and the benefits they offer as a solution to production processes. Both CNC machining and manual machining have the same goals, and both of them initiate their work process with a raw piece of metal or plastic and ultimately design it to a part. A CNC machining is highly automated, unlike manual machining, which increases the preference in addition to an increase in speed, high production rate, and accuracy. Conventional machining typically costs less and is utilized for small-production projects. CNC machining is usually utilized for high quantities, and it is not as cost-effective for smaller projects. Both conventional and unconventional CNC machining is used for a variety of jobs, including a variety of material such as aluminum, steel, and wood (Chakravarti & Yadav, 2019). For small operations, CNC machining will incur an enormous cost, and their benefits will be reduced. CNC may include high initial capital but ultimately become cost-effective in the long run with an increase in output and a decrease of input. CNC machining has a long life span and can thus be used and reused for a long time as well as increasing safety for dangerous jobs and assists in saving lives. Some of the direct advantages of the CNC machine include precision components through a digital template and free machining of CNC and eliminate human errors through improving and developing workflow management systems for all industries (Pi et al., 2018).

CNC machines enable reliable endurance and enable the machines to work around the clock daily and halted during maintenance and repair. For this reason, CNC can maintain high production and scalability, which ultimately increases a country's standard of living increasing development in a country. CNC machines improve the communication industry through horizontal and vertical milling centers. CNC can accommodate the needs of the communications and telecommunications industries (Pi et al., 2018). Horizontal milling centers possess a spindle that is oriented horizontally. The machines work much more efficient for tasks involving pocketing and facing. The advantage of a horizontal machining center is its speed and efficiency for tasks needing necessary material separation. Vertical milling centers possess a spindle that is vertically placed and has a simplicity. It is easy to pro...