Computer Numerical Control Machining is a manufacturing method which uses computers to control machine tools. As opposed to manual machining, which requires a full team of engineers to operate every component of the manufacturing process, CNC machining requires less labour.
This not only means that you won’t have to break the bank to get your product or components, but it also means that it’s a much quicker process, as the operators can manage several machines simultaneously via software control.
These are just a few of the obvious benefits of CNC machining. Read on to discover more!
1. CNC Machining is Faster
What if we told you CNC machines could provide you with non-stop labour, 24-hours a day, seven days a week? You’d think we were seriously breaching worker’s rights! But we aren’t, CNC machines are capable of working continuously. They don’t need smoko’s, sleep or weekends. They just need to be turned off for the occasional maintenance. But don’t worry, we’re not just leaving all the work up to our machines. Our qualified operators will be there to keep a close eye on everything. Imagine how much quicker you could have your project completed using CNC machining!
2. Superior consistency
A skilled engineer can make the same product over and over, but each will always have slight variations. CNC machining assures that every single product is exactly the same, down to the micrometre! Once the original design has been programmed, the software will ensure that each consecutive product will be a complete mirror of the last.
3. Less margin for human error
Human error is a reality of life. Don’t get us wrong; we value traditional skills as an asset that should be passed along to each generation. But when it comes to extremely important investments and parts that could literally make or break an entire project, you want to make sure that everything is 100% accurate. And that’s why we use CNC machining; so that computer calculations ensure superior accuracy.
CNC machining operators also get the chance to practice on simulation software before operating the machine itself. This means that all of our operators are fully trained and know exactly what they are doing. We don’t waste raw materials training our operators, and nothing is left up to chance with CNC machining.
4. More cost effective
There are many reasons why CNC machining is more cost effective. A few of the major reasons project managers decided to manufacture with CNC machining are as follows:
- One operator is needed as opposed to a whole team of engineers, which cuts labour costs.
- Files from 3D design software used to design a product can be used to create the CNC program ensuring that the product is made exactly as intended.
- Less raw waste is generated because of the computer’s precise measurements. Also, if there is an error with a product for any reason, the machine can detect this and automatically ceases working instead of going until someone recognises the discrepancy, wasting thousands of dollars of materials.
5. Flexible designs
If you need to make any last minute changes to your design, this is a quicker process with CNC machining. Because everything is computerized, the calculations can be made efficiently to adjust the whole design to suit these new changes. It would take a manual machining engineer much longer to recognise how one minor tweak could affect the overall design, and make these changes.
6. Don’t worry; it’s not all computers
Here at Prime Engineering, we combine fast, accurate CNC machining with highly personalised and skilled services. We believe in both efficiency and quality, and make sure that all designs, prototypes and final products are thoroughly inspected by our qualified machining specialists. Our work is backed by 29 years of experience in the industry, so you can rest assured that we know what we’re doing!
Contact Prime Engineering today to discuss your latest project, and how we can help you with CNC machining!