IMPORTANCE OF MACHINING IN DESIGN
Advantages of Computer Numerical Control, CNC
K Ridley
Technology's in-house machining capabilities are limited to CNC Router Table
(wood, plastic aluminum) and 3D Printers (plastic filament feed). This is a product design business that machines one-offs
occasional prototypes. BUT, knowing how to machine matters in product design.
Every product component is either machined directly, or is the result of machining. Components that are cast, molded or formed result from tooling that has to be machined, often to custom shapes. We know how to machine; the cutting tools, materials, and CNC programming. Knowing what it takes to machine a part, and knowing the capapbilities of CNC machining leads to better designs.
From a machinist's perspective, an engineer's job is to design nightmares to make, so a designer with machining experience can reduce nightmares to "mildly disturbing" dreams.
CNC Machines
(autonomous machines) are computer controlled to allow the machine to run a
program. When a CNC machine is run
manually, at the control panel, they are faster than a non-autonomous (manual-only) machine. Having a computer (control panel) allows for machines to control tool turrets, axis motion, and spindle speeds. So manual tool changes are by command at the control panel, rather than removing one tool and placing the next. Speed changes are also by command, so the machine does not have to be stopped to change the speed.
When a CNC is run by a program in autonomous mode, the program is stored in memory, so no typing or dialing needed. Tooling changes are at machine speed, taking seconds. Speed changes are automatic. In terms of quality control, the program repeats exactly the same motions on the next copy of the Part. Industry has learned it can do the "same old Part" in less time with less error.
There are design benefits to running the CNC machine in autonomous mode, because a
program can move all axes of a machine simultaneously. In manual mode, a machined can only be moved in one axis at one time. An autonomous machine does not need to segregate separate moves in X, Y and Z. The cut path
goes from point A to point B by whatever curved path is required for the design's shape. That saves
cost in time and fixturing when Parts that have curved and complex
shapes. CNC makes some Parts possible and cost effective.
The moral
here is that a machine that is 30% more expensive (with computer and servos), can
save money in production.