Working with the Right CNC machine shop makes all the difference. Our advanced machine shop can accommodate all types of CNC machine work along with metal fabrication and welding. If you’re currently exploring your machine shop options, it may be time for you to consider Wiebe’s Welding. Our CNC machines are programmed to the exact specifications of each customer by our team of in-house experts.
What is CNC Machining?
The term CNC stands for ‘computer numerical control’. CNC machining is a subtractive manufacturing process employing computerized controls and machine tools to remove layers of material to produce a custom-designed part.
The process is suitable for a wide variety of industries, including automotive, aerospace, construction, and agriculture, and able to produce a range of products, such as automobile parts, surgical equipment, airplane parts, and even garden tools. Some of the most common mechanical CNC machining operations include:
- Drilling
- Milling
- Turning
Types of CNC Machines:
CNC Mills
Basic mills consist of a three-axis system (X, Y and Z), though most newer mills can accommodate three additional axes.
Lathes
Lathe machines, involve cuts in a circular direction with indexable tools. CNC lathes are used to produce complex designs that wouldn’t be possible on manually run versions of the machine. Most CNC lathes consist of two axes — X and Z.
Plasma Cutters
In a plasma cutter, material is cut with a plasma torch. The process is applied to metal materials but can also be ustilized on other surfaces. In order to produce the speed and heat necessary to cut metal, plasma is generated through a combination of compressed-air gas and electrical arcs.
Electric Discharge Machines
Electric-discharge machining (EDM) is a process that molds work pieces into particular shapes with electrical sparks. With EDM, and electrical current is passed between two electrodes, removing sections of the material.
Subtypes of EDM include:
- Wire EDM
- Sinker EDM
Water Jet Cutters
In CNC machining, water jets are tools that cut hard materials, such as granite and metal, with high-pressure applications of water. In some cases, the water is mixed with sand or some other strong abrasive substance. Factory machine parts are often shaped through this process.
Water jets are employed as a cooler alternative for materials that are unable to bear the heat-intensive processes of other CNC machines. As such, water jets are used in a range of sectors, such as the aerospace and mining industries, where the process is powerful for the purposes of carving and cutting, among other functions. Water jet cutters are also used for applications that require very intricate cuts in material, as the lack of heat prevents any change in the materials intrinsic properties that may result from metal on metal cutting.
CNC Machining is optimal for applications that span many fields and industries. Automotive sector, agriculture, transportation, aerospace, publishing, metal, electronics, production, healthcare and many other industries rely on some sort of CNC machined parts.
Contact our machine shop to learn about how we can help with your next project.
