Full Form of CNC

Acronym	Full-Form
CNC	Computerized Numerical Control

CNC or Computerized Numerical Control is a control system for using electronic digital computers to control devices. CNC is used to move machines and optimize, regulate, and record their movements.

What is Computerized Numerical Control?

As stated above, CNC is a control system that is used for moving machines and optimizing, regulating, and recording their movements. These machines include grinders, routers, laser cutters, welders, etc. Compared to the older manual machines, CNC machines are completely automatic, but their operation still requires a human operator. A design is transformed into computer-generated numbers by a CNC, using computer-aided design software (CAD). The cutter's movement is monitored by it while using the numbers on a graph.

Thus, in this manner, the computer is used to cut, design and shape the material. A number of materials could be cut by using the CNC machines, including wood, metal, composites, aluminium, plastics, steel and foam.

CNC: History

CNC, or the modern mainstay of manufacturing and production, goes back to the 1940s when the first Numerical Control machines were manufactured. But, before them, the turning machines had appeared. In fact, the machine was invented in 1751 that was used to replace handcrafted techniques and increase precision. The modern capacities of the CNC would come to the device a lot later though.

The start of industrialization was marked by the machining techniques that led to CNC manufacturing. Today, the definition of CNC machining is more specific, which involves entering 3D files into a computer and running a program controlled by the motion of tools within a machining centre. The complete process is automated.

CNC: Types of Machines

• CNC milling machines

One of the most common types of CNC machining is called CNC milling, which is known for its great accuracy and tolerances. Built-in tools for drilling and cutting are featured in the CNC machines, and after materials are placed inside them. The computer then guides the cutting and drilling tools to work their magic.

• CNC lathe machines

CNC milling and CNC turning are essentially opposites of each other. Here, in CNC turning, instead of the cutting tools moving to cut material away, the material is itself rotated and cut.

At the centre of the CNC lathe machines, there is a lathe that manipulates and moves the material into the position as programmed on the computer.

• CNC plasma cutting machines

CNC plasma cutting machines are also used to cut materials like CNC milling machines. But, there is a difference as the plasma-cutting machines perform this operation using a high-powered plasma torch, that can achieve temperatures of up to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit, and are strong enough to cut through rough materials like metal!

• CNC laser-cutting machines

Laser-cutting CNC machines are also designed to cut through tough materials, but they are not to be confused with plasma-cutting CNC machines as they don't use a plasma torch for the cutting. Rather, as the name suggests, they use a laser to perform this task. The lasers are supposed to have a higher level of cutting accuracy, but they are not as strong as plasma torches.

• CNC electric discharge machines

Also known as a spark CNC machine, a CNC electric discharge CNC machine is a special type of CNC machine that uses electrical sparks to manipulate materials into the desired shape. First, the material is placed in the middle of a top and bottom electrode and then the computer dictates how much electrical discharge the electrodes produce.

CNC: Benefits

As the manufacturers are allowed to automate many manufacturing processes, using the CNC machines, that would have to be performed manually otherwise, it is obvious that there are a number of benefits of using them:

• CNC machining works great if there is a large number of parts

Creating large quantities of prototypes is far cheaper using CNC machines than it is to go with 3D printing. Therefore, if you are looking to create larger quantities of mechanical parts, CNC will be the best and the most cost-effective option for you.

• CNC machines can work with different materials

CNC machines are relatively indifferent to what they are cutting if the material is rigid enough to not deform or melt under the pressure of the cutting action. 3D printing, on the other hand, is largely focused on plastics.

• CNC machines are quick

This is the most obvious point as there is no surprise in the fact that machines function exponentially faster than human beings. Therefore using CNC machines the work can be completed exponentially quicker than if done manually.

• CNC machines are highly accurate

As Shakespeare had said, " To err is human", thus to add an extension, we can say,

To not err are machines.

It is clear that by using CNC machines, there are no chances of errors with the work.

• CNC machining can give you different post-processing and finishing options

You can get different high-quality finishing processes for most CNC machined parts.

Conclusion

Thus most of the fundamental details of CNC are made clear. Now we also know the benefits of CNC machines over manual human labour.

Please mention in the comments section if you have any doubts.

Have a good day.