Monthly Archives : August 2019

cnc machining

What is CNC Machining?

It’s no secret that the work done within a machine shop has changed significantly over the past few years. The world of manufacturing used to be dominated by assembly lines where workers would perform the same tasks over and over again to rapidly produce high-quality products. As the technology in the manufacturing industry has progressed, so too has the world of manufacturing. Now, a large amount of manufacturing is performed by something called CNC machining. CNC machining and CNC manufacturing represent the next generation of manufacturing. It is important for everyone to familiarize themselves with this industry. Those who are best able to adapt to these changes in the world of manufacturing will be best positioned to remain competitive in the next generation.

An Overview of CNC Machining

For those who might not know, CNC machining is the name given to a manufacturing process that is dominated by advanced computer programming. In this process, a high-precision computer program controls the movements of the various tools and machines within a factory. In this fashion, computers are able to control the complex movements of various machines with extreme precision. Examples of machines that can be controlled through CNC machinery include routers, lathes, mills, and more. With the help of CNC programming, 3D cuts can be performed quickly and accurately with only a single set of prompts. In this fashion, efficiency within a factory can increase dramatically and the output of the manufacturing lines is improved.

What Does CNC Stand For?

CNC stands for “computer numerical control” and has changed how an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) functions. Many compare this process to something called limited numerical control. In contrast to CNC, limited numerical control requires human operators to feed prompts into the system. The human hand is responsible for guiding the machines using tools such as buttons, wheels, and levers. In contrast, a CNC system is more like a set of computer components that are running off of software and consoles. Because computers are able to perform tasks more quickly and accurately than the human hand, CNC is superior to other potential forms of control. For this reason, CNC has risen rapidly in popularity when compared to other forms of manual control or limited control.

How Does CNC Machining Work?

While CNC machining is controlled by complicated computer programs, it is important for everyone to understand the basics. When a CNC system is turned on, the required cuts are entered into a software system as programs. These commands are used to control the corresponding machines. Then, their tools will carry out each of these commands are specified in the computer program. In essence, the machine will function as a robot in a custom machine shop.

The CNC programming is controlled by computer code. This is a numerical function that will ensure that the mechanisms are flawless. Even though errors can occur, these programs are far more accurate than a human operator or manual control. Furthermore, a CNC program can even ask a tool to cut in more than one direction at the same time. This expedites the manufacturing process and can increase the output of a factory.

Many of these CNC machines can retain programs in their memory systems with code that is both written and edited by trained computer programmers. This further increases the efficiency of CNC machines. Finally, CNC machines are not static. They can change and evolve as the circumstances require. New prompts are able to be added to pre-existing programs by simple revisions of the code. This means that CNC machines are able to be adapted to carry out different tasks in a machine shop Denver. Their versatility is unrivaled in the world of manufacturing.

What are Some Types of CNC Machines?

CNC machinery is incredibly versatile and can be applied to a wide variety of machines. As technology has advanced, the mechanisms in these machines have been enhanced with digital computers that have made CNC machining and precision manufacturing possible. Many of the machines in today’s manufacturing world are electronic. This means that CNC machining can be applied to almost all of these devices. There are several common applications of CMC machining which include:

Mills: Mills that run via CNC are able to be run on programs that use both number and letter prompts. These prompts are used to guide the machine across various distances, sometimes in multiple directions at the same time. The code that is used to feed a mill can be tailored to meet that needs of the manufacturers. Mills use a 3D system that functions on the X, Y, and Z axis. Newer mills can add even more axes to increase their efficiency.

Lathes: CNC machining can even be applied to lathes. In the past, lathes were dangerous machines that would lead to horrible accidents. Because lathes can now be controlled by CNC machining, the frequency of injuries due to lathes has dropped. Using CNC technology, circular cuts can be controlled and performed with higher precision and velocity. Because of this, CNC lathes can produce more complex designs than those that could be produced manually. CNC lathes typically are controlled by code that supplies commands on two separate axes. More complex lathes can have 3 axes.

Water Jet Cutters: CNC machining has also been applied to water jet cutters. Water jets are tools that fire a stream of water at high velocity. This water is used to mold hard materials, such as metal and granite, with a high-degree of precision. The water can also be mixed with sand or another solute to shape the target accordingly. CNC machining can be used to control both the speed and direction of the water jet. It can also be used to control the width of the stream. As a result, CNC can be used to mold metal and granite into very specific designs with a high-degree of precision.

Plasma Cutters: CNC machining has also been applied to the world of plasma cutters. This machine uses a white-hot plasma torch to cut pieces of metal and other hard surfaces. The speed and heat necessary to cut metal is incredibly dangerous and produced using compressed air and electrical arcs. The ability to control these devices using CNC machining represents an advancement in the world of safety.

A Wide Variety of Applications with CNC. 

Clearly, CNC machining can be applied to a wide variety of different machines and tasks. Because of CNC machining, these devices can be controlled remotely, increasing safety in the workplace. As technology progresses, CNC machining will become even more important to the future of Denver manufacturing. A CNC machinist can use this type of programming to produce high-quality custom machined parts more quickly than ever before.

U.S. Manufacturing

U.S. Manufacturing Myths and Misconceptions

It’s impossible to pinpoint when we collectively became Debbie Downers regarding U.S. manufacturing. People appear to equate the rise of Chinese manufacturing with the decline of U.S. manufacturing, although there is no truth to it. In fact, there is no truth to many of the myths and misconceptions about Manufacturing. Here are 10 of the worst offenders:

Manufacturing in the U.S. is in a Sharp Decline

A 2016 MAPI Foundation report claims that if U.S. manufacturing were its own economy, that economy would be the seventh largest in the world. The size of the economy based on manufacturing alone is greater than the economic output of Brazil, Italy, India, and Canada. Just to underscore – that’s the manufacturing sector alone. Nearly one-third of the U.S. economy is manufacturing-based. Consider the points scored politically by both sides of the aisle when politicians decry the loss of Manufacturing in the US. While it may benefit them in the short run, it does the public at large a disservice by painting a far bleaker picture then actually exist.

Jobs in Manufacturing are Dangerous

To be fair, there have been times in American history when manufacturing jobs were downright unsafe. Innovative laws, regulations, and technology introduced through the years have resulted in far safer workplaces. While the risk of injury exists at any place of employment, Americans working in manufacturing have a relatively low risk of being injured. This is according to a report by the Bureau of Labor statistics. Less injuries are partly due greater awareness, and partly due to newer, safer production techniques. It is in the best interest of both a company and its employees to employ practices designed to protect employee wellbeing.

Robots are Going to Replace Humans

Is impossible to deny that manufacturers have invested in greater automation technology. That fact in no way means that robots will replace humans. More than 12,000,000 Americans work in the manufacturing industry, a number that is expected to increase rather than decrease in the upcoming years. Automation was never designed to take over for humans, but to give them a competitive edge in the world marketplace. U.S. workers produce more than workers anywhere on the globe, and automation simply makes them more efficient.

Manufacturing Does Not Create Enough New Jobs

This myth practically busts itself. In an industry that employs more than 12,000,000 people, there are always jobs available. Manufacturing continues to represent one of the country’s most vibrant job markets. Positions in manufacturing, from CEO to CNC machining, must be filled in order to enjoy continued growth.

It’s Too Expensive to Manufacture Products in the U.S.

Due to the way in which U.S. manufacturers have “leaned” their production processes and received new tax breaks, the cost of American products have actually become less expensive, rather than more expensive. In order to compete, American companies are learning to work smarter (beginning with processes like Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma). Combined with tax breaks, they are able to pass the savings to consumers. As easy as it would be to be cynical and assume that manufacturers are keeping the extra profit for themselves, they realize that they must offer competitively priced products in order to compete with production coming out of other countries. As an added bonus, U.S. manufacturing companies spend more on research and development then manufacturers from any other country in the world. The result is a better product and now, a better price.

American Manufacturers use Outdated Processes

This myth has just enough truth at its core to make it believable. It is, however, not true. It did take U.S. manufacturing more time than it should have to embrace new technology and the digital revolution. As more manufacturers realized that they would have to adapt to survive and that automation and streamlining could improve efficiency and output, they came on board. Today, you would be hard-pressed to find a successful manufacturer that does not use the most up-to-date processes. In fact, you need look no further than your local CNC machine shop for state-of-the-art technology.

It’s Fine to Outsource as Long as Product Design Stays in America

People have found ways to justify outsourcing since it began. They’ve said that they’re doing it to cut costs and save jobs in the U.S. They’ve said that it’s good for the global economy. They have also claimed that it’s fine to outsource production as long as product design stays in the U.S. This is a myth. As the former CEO of Intel, Andy Grove knows a thing or two about manufacturing processes. Grove argues that the best innovation takes places when designers and production teams are in one place. They can troubleshoot, give each other feedback, and fine-tune their designs.

The Only Manufacturing Jobs Available are Low-Skilled and Tedious

Today’s manufacturing involves the use of computers that can operate machinery in a way that allows for extraordinary precision. The field requires skills like the ability to problem solve on the fly, operate complex machines, and make quick calculations. Any job can be tedious. The best employees in manufacturing do not just consider the task at hand, but also think about ways they can improve the process.

Women are Unhappy in Manufacturing

The collective mental image we have of the American factory worker tends to be male. After all, it was men who filled the factories after World War II, and men we saw on the nightly news when they went on strike in the decades that followed. That image may be one of the reasons that a Women in Manufacturing survey found that less than 10% of women ages 17 to 24 listed manufacturing among their top five career choices. Perhaps the outcome would have been different had they known how happy women working in the manufacturing sector are. 82% of women who work in manufacturing say they find the field interesting and challenging. 74% felt that manufacturing offers multiple career opportunities. No matter a person’s gender, opportunity awaits in fields like CNC manufacturing, electronics, and apparel manufacturers.

Manufacturing has no Future

Change is not only inevitable, it is uncomfortable. While U.S. manufacturing evolved and some of the big players moved to a bench position, the myth that manufacturing in the U.S. has no future grew. Rather than marveling at the new and innovative businesses that were expanding their manufacturing base and much of the public focused on the big players that now seem somewhat small. The truth is, change is not bad, it’s just scary. Manufacturing in the U.S. is alive and well. The number of people needed to fill open manufacturing positions continues to grow and the impact the manufacturing sector has on the economy swells.

As manufacturing fuels the economy, there will be a need for more skilled workers, like engineers and machine operators who can work on custom machined parts. That’s good news for everyone. Tag Team Manufacturing, located in Parker, Colorado is looking to add machine operators and set up machinists to their team. Contact them today at 303-841-5697.