Posts Tagged ‘cnc’
Mills CNC Ltd CNC Machine Training Expanded
The CNC Training Academy based in Leamington Spa has expanded its CNC Programmer Training provision to include a range of advanced cnc machine training courses for users of machine tools with Siemens CNC Machine controls. The new Programmer courses now available are aimed at Siemens Sinumerik 840D control users with (i) horizontal and vertical 4-axis machining centres, and (ii) twin-spindle/twin-turret mill-turn centres. Both courses are four days long, and are covered by The Academy’s ‘easy payment’ terms that allow manufacturers to spread the cost of their training over 12 months into smaller, more manageable monthly payments. For those who are interested can call their Sales at: 01926 736736 or contact them using this form.
Clinkenbeard Sixth 5-axis vertical CNC milling machine (VMC)
Worldwide leader in the rapid production of complex castings and machined parts using a wide variety of metals and plastics, has allowed the company to recently expand its capacity by adding a 5-axis vertical milling machine (VMC) to its stable of CNC and milling machines. This is the sixth five-axis VMC for Clinkenbeard.
The major benefit of five-axis machining is the ability to machine complex shapes in a single set-up. This gives greater machining productivity compared to performing the job in a series of set ups, as well as significantly reducing the time and cost of preparing fixtures.
“Minimizing the time spent on setup operations, reducing overall machine cycle times and maximizing ultimate machine cutting performance are just some of the advantages our customers in industries from aerospace to automotive to diesel engine are used to and will continue to realize with this exciting VMC,” explained Ron Gustafson, president of Clinkenbeard.
About Clinkenbeard
Clinkenbeard is a worldwide leader in the rapid production of complex castings and machined parts using a wide variety of metals and plastics. The company’s principal markets include US defense and government, aerospace, auto racing, diesel engine, heavy truck, marine, industrial, power generation and agricultural. More on CNC machine.
Incoming search terms:CNC: A Company’s Perspective
CNC machine tools are praised all over the world because of three major factors: automation, accuracy and versatility. Human (operator) intervention is reduced to minimal levels because CNC machines can run on its own after it is programmed. Also, when the program is perfected, the CNC machine can run the instructions perfectly on its own.
Remember that any CNC machine can also be programmed to do special one-time tasks such as a dry-run, which will help the operator oversee what will happen when s/he leaves the CNC machine to do its tasks alone. Accuracy also goes hand in hand with repeatability. Again, once the program is perfected, the CNC machine can perform that task PERFECTLY even until 7 or 7000 times.
Lastly, versatility also works in the form of “task memory” that these CNC machines have. Once a program has been performed even for just one production run, it can be easily recollected the next time that the company needs the program. This saves time for setting up and loading of different programs.
The CNC sure simplifies the work of thousands of factories and machine shops worldwide. However, no matter how great CNC sounds like, it is something that doesn’t fit in some industries. Like, perhaps, in the cosmetic industry, or in the show-business. Those examples are way too obvious. On the other hand, in these two major mechanical industries, CNC is almost synonymous to “hero”.
CNC In THE METAL INDUSTRYThink of Metal. Metal. Perhaps the easiest metal that you can imagine is that of…a spoon. Now, imagine ANY spoon done with bare hands. After that, imagine a thousand spoons done with bare hands. It’s so tedious you might even consider suicide if you are assigned to such a job.
The metal industry has been operating on CNC for ages. In fact, if you search CNC in the internet, you will instantly find metal companies topping the list. The major CNC centers that you will find in most metal machining processes are “CNC turning centers”, “CNC machining centers”, “CNC grinding centers” and “CNC drill and tap centers”.
Some of the CNC programs that are connected with the metal industry are milling, drilling, reaming, boring and tapping. Moreover, any metal that has any curved side have experienced some form of knurling, grooving, turning and/or threading.
Fabrication, in manufacturing, refers to processes that are executed on thin plates/sheets. These sheets are cut, punched, and bent to form their finishing shapes. CNC also stars in almost every aspect of metal fabrication.
CNC in THE WOODWORKING INDUSTRYWhile the most beautiful wood-worked products are most likely hand-made, you cannot deny that a wide array of tools and furniture HAVE to be NOT hand-made to save time and for mass production levels. There’s just too much work and not to many hands. In light with this, CNC has worked wonders for this industry.
Important woodworking processes include cutting, framing, carving and engraving. The most useful woodworking CNC product is the CNC router table. It is capable of carving elaborate 2D and 3D designs. Moreover, it is also capable of material change while repeating the same design. Since contemporary furniture is often a splash of different materials (e.g. Wood, aluminum and/or plastic), any CNC router is capable of reproducing the same design EVEN in different kinds of materials by just altering the router bit.
Although many local, middle-sized enterprise owners are skeptical about using employing CNC in their manufacturing operations, there have been many success stories to sway them to using it anyway. In the Metal and Woodworking industries, CNC has proven itself time and again to be efficient.
It saves time and efforts in production and (more importantly) back-jobs. If you’re venturing to one of these industries, remember that the word “labor” isn’t something social anymore – it’s technological. And start calling CNC your best friend.
Incoming search terms:Programming CNC Machines With G-Codes
CNC aka Computer Numerical Controlled Machines are useless without any programming. CNC’s rely on pure hard codes in order to execute commands that the Machine Operator wants to do, therefore not only is it needed to learn the mechanics of the whole Computer Numerical Controlled Machine but it is also at the utmost importance that the Machine operator knows how to communicate with the machine, and that is by using G-codes.
Preparatory code/ functions or much commonly called as G-codes are functions in the Computer Numerical Control programming language. The G-codes job is to manage the position of the tool as well as control the step by step commands during the actual work. Basically the G-codes are the most important part of the Computer Numerical Control Programming algorithm.
There are other codes involved in the programming of CNC’s such as M-codes that manages the machine, T-codes for managing the tools, and F-codes for the tool feed and tool speed controls. All of these codes are created in a Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software.
G-codes as well as the others use the RS-274D as the recommended standard for the Computer Numerical Controlled Machines. This standard was developed by the Electronic Industry association during the 1960’s. These standards provide a basis for the creation of Computer Numerical Controlled Programs.
First designs of these standards came from punched paper tapes as the medium standard for data interchange, but now ASCII character bit patterns are the standard for the representation.
CNC G-CodesLets discuss the g-codes further, as what I have said earlier G- codes constitute only a part of the Computer Numerical Control Program, in the whole programming algorithm, they are denoted by the letter G, Basically it is a code telling the machine what kinds of actions to perform in a step by step basis, examples of these actions would be rapid move, controlled feed moves that would bore holes, a work piece cut routed to a specific dimension, change a pallet, and set a tool information such as offset.
After creating each part of the codes, the algorithm is compiled in the Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software. The CAM software basically use translators called post processors to output the code optimized for a certain machine type. Often times, post-processors are often used to allow users to enable further customization.
G-codes can also be used to create outputs for Computer Aided Design systems used to design printed circuit boards (PCB). Any software must be customized for each type of machine tool that it will be used to program. Some G-codes are written by hand for volume production jobs.
Some Computer Numerical Controlled machines use conversational programming. Conversational programming is an easier way to program CNC machines because it is more “user friendly” because it uses a wizard like program that hides the G-codes into plain view. Some Popular examples of this kind of CNC machines are the Southwestern Industries’ Proto TRAK, Mazak’s Mazatrol, and Mori Seiki’s CAPS conversational software.
Incoming search terms:Sheet Metal Manipulation with CNC
The advancement of technology allowed sheet metal designs to be more complicated. However, this level of complication has surpassed human capabilities (as far as mass production is concerned). The required accuracy for the intricacy of the designs can only be provided by Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) machines.
The Punch press
An example of a CNC machine that is used in sheet metal manipulation is the punch press. This device uses hydraulic, pneumatic, or electrical power to exert immense pressure to shape the metal and cut it according to the designs. Being computer aided, this machine is capable of rapid positioning and therefore, fast production. Manual punch presses compromise speed for accuracy therefore lessening efficiency.
The punch press works by receiving instructions from a program in a computer. This allows the operator to sit back and relax once the cycle (rapid positioning, punching, and switching of tools) has been initiated. These machines perform operations with accuracy that is measured by the thousandth of an inch.
Introduction of these machines into the sheet metal industry sped up production significantly. And to stay competitive in the global market, such an edge would be needed. However, technology finds ways to improve on this.
New devices
Today, presses have newer versions. The turret punch press is capable of sorting sheet metal into their respective design classes. This means that the new punch presses can operate virtually unattended. Steel manufacturing companies invest in these machines should it mean streamlining of their jobs and increasing production capabilities.
Newer CNC machines can even alert operators who are not in the area if a problem crops up during the sheet metal punching process. This happens by enabling the CNC machine to keep track of the operators’ phones. Therefore, the workload of the operator is relaxed to the point that he/she does not even need to be in the area of operation.
The drawback
However, these machines do not come cheap. A lot of time, money, and effort have to be spent in order to operate the machine to its fullest capacity. Furthermore, there is a shortage of people who are skilled enough to operate such machines. An operator has to be knowledgeable with BASIC programming language, fundamental machining processes, design awareness, and accessory functions.
Furthermore, knowledge of Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) is a big factor in being able to control such machinery. So the capital that you have to spend on understanding these machines have to be justified with the caliber of the operator that you have.
Another drawback that is present is the compatibility of the machines with the current technology that the company has. If they are incompatible, it takes even more time and money to replace current facilities or to restructure the factory in order t accommodate such devices.
The Conclusion
so, if you’re a big company and you want to stay in the race, you have to consider and reconsider investing into these things. The investment may be worth itself a hundred times over but it is a rather risky choice to step into something new. You have to restructure your work schedules, change the requirements for operators, and provide proper training to operators that you want to keep.
These things will cost a lot and will take a while before they reflect what they really are worth.
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