WHAT IS CNC?

QUICKLY EXPLAINED: ADVANTAGES OF CNC TECHNOLOGY

Whether in production, teaching or in the workshop, CNC technology is talked about everywhere. But what is that actually? What does "CNC" stand for and what do CNC machines do? We will explain to you briefly and quickly what CNC machining and G-code are all about. Because CNC technology is no longer only used in industry or carpentry , but with the CNC milling machine at home even in the living room at home.

WHAT IS CNC?

The abbreviation "CNC" stands for “Computerized Numerical Control”. CNC refers to controlling a machine tool using a computer. CNC technology developed from NC (numerically controlled) technology, in which machine tools were operated via punch cards in the 1960s. Thanks to CNC, from the mid-1970s onwards, CNC workpieces could be machined automatically and several axes could be controlled quickly, accurately and simultaneously. In this way, CNC technology not only made the production of workpieces much more efficient, but also more precise.

In short:

  • Controlling a machine via the computer
  • Automated processing of workpieces
WHAT ARE CNC MACHINES?

A CNC machine is a computer-controlled machine tool, such as a CNC lathe, CNC milling machine , CNC lathe or a CNC gantry milling machine . CNC machines can have up to ten processing axes and are among the most widely used machine tools worldwide. CNC machines can be found in tool making and mold making, as well as in carpentry, woodworking and model making. Depending on the manufacturer and model, CNC machine tools can be equipped with a wide variety of CNC accessories and transformed into a milling machine , a 3D printer , a laser or a tangential knife .

In short:

  • Computer-controlled machine tools
  • Have up to 10 machining axes
  • Expandable with CNC accessories
WHAT IS G CODE?

G-code is a machine language that a machine operator uses to tell the CNC-controlled machine how it should move and what actions it should carry out. The G-code consists of a line sequence of number-letter combinations. While the G code for CNC machine tools previously had to be programmed manually, today it is almost exclusively generated using CAD/CAM programs . The G-code is then read by the CNC control software and transmitted to the CNC machine.

In short:

  • CNC machine language
  • Tells CNC machine how to move
  • Is mainly created by CAD/CAM programs


WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF CNC?

CNC significantly increases productivity. This means that once a CNC program has been written and saved, it can always be reloaded and processed. Changes to the file can also be made quickly and easily. CNC manufacturing is not only highly precise, the perfect results can also be reproduced again and again. No matter whether individual production or series production, even complex CNC workpieces can be manufactured efficiently with CNC. And that in industry , in the workshop , at school or at home .

In short:

  • Highly precise and reproducible results
  • Efficient individual and series production
  • Even complex workpieces possible