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CNC, also called CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control and has been around since the early 1970's. Before this, it was called NC, for Numerical Control. After this, the world was introduced to Computers. It has touched nearly every facet of manufacturing. A lot machining processes have been developed and enhanced by the use of CNC. You can get many second-hand industrial machinery from any motor shops and even online. Now, let us see the places it has touched in the industry, and the places it has been used:
- In the metal removal industry:
The machining processes have been done traditionally on conventional machines with the CNC machining. The operations include all kinds of milling, tapping, drilling, reaming, counter boring, and boring. The same way, all the turning operations are done in the turning centres like facing, turning, grooving, threading, knurling and boring. These machines are called CNC drill and milling machines or the CNC lathes.
CNC grinders take care of the grinding operations. If you are looking for a used CNC equipment for sale, you can find many online as well. The CNC machines have opened a new technology when it comes to grinding, which is the Contour grinding. This was infeasible due to the technology constraints but now is possible by the CNC grinders.
- In the metal fabrication industry:
Fabrication in manufacturing terms pertains to operations that are performed on thin plates. In a metal filing cabinet, all the components are made of metal sheets. Now, these sheets are sheared, while the holes are punched in the right places and the sheets are bend accordingly before they are fitted. These operations are called shearing, plasma or flame cutting, laser cutting, punching, forming and welding. All this is done through the CNC machines and can be done perfectly well with the second-hand industrial machinery as well.
CNC back gauges are used to control the length of the metal sheet sheared as well. CNC lasers and plasma cutters bring the plates to the final shapes. The CNC turret punch makes holes of every shape and sizes where required on the plates. CNC press brakes bend the plates into the final shape.
- In the electrical discharge machining industry:
EDM, also called Electrical discharge machining helps remove metal through electrical sparks that burn metal away. They are of two types - vertical EDM and Wire EMD. The first one uses an electrode with a cavity shape that would be used in the machine. The second one is used to make punch and die combinations for dies sets in a fabrication industry. This machines are not very famous and are lesser known ones. But they are available online from second-hand machinery stores online.
- In the woodworking industry:
CNC machines are widely used in woodworking shops for routing and drilling. It can be found in almost every woodworking shop.
- Other types of CNC machines:
A lot of lettering and engraving systems use the CNC technology. Even the Waterjet machining uses a lot of pressure in a water jet stream to cut through material plates. CNC is used for many electronic components like oil winders, soldering machines and even CNC terminal location machines.
