What Is Computer Numerical Control (CNC)? Definition From ...

Computer numerical important applications

CNC plays an integral role in critical industries and sectors, such as medicine, aerospace, military and defense. Because a component's failure could endanger lives, businesses in these industries demand the highest level of precision in their parts, which CNC machines can offer.

The following are some industries that utilize CNC machinery.

Aerospace

The accuracy needed to manufacture every component of an airplane is increased by CNC. This includes everything from the outer shell to the innermost parts. The highest levels of precision and accuracy must be used when manufacturing CNC-machined aerospace components since they are often mission-critical. Also, there are frequently stringent requirements for flatness, roundness and cylindricity that can only be met with computer-aided machining, and tolerances as small as 0.00004 inches are not unusual.

Aluminum, stainless steel, brass, nickel, bronze, ceramics, plastics, magnesium, titanium and high-performance alloys, such as Inconel and Kovar, are a few of the materials that can be utilized in aerospace CNC machining.

A few examples of CNC-machined components are the following:

• Landing gear components.
• Titanium shrouds.
• Airfoils.
• Bushings.
• Stator assemblies.
• Manifolds.
• Magnesium gearbox housings.
• Electrical connectors.

Medical equipment

To meet patient needs, the medical industry primarily relies on specialized, accurate and high-quality products produced by CNC machinery. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when the need for medical products such as masks and respirators rose, this dependence on CNC machines increased. Disposable medical equipment is also often used to prevent people from contracting infectious diseases while receiving medical care. Because of this, it is even more crucial for the medical sector to employ CNC to increase and accelerate the production of medical products.

Typical examples of products made through CNC machines include the following:

• Magnetic resonance imaging machines.
• Implants.
• Orthotic devices.
• Electronic enclosures for monitoring devices.
• Research equipment.
• Shielded enclosures.
• Parts made from high-temperature plastics.
• Medical instruments.
• Customized sterile packaging.
• Food and Drug Administration-approved products.

Automotive

One of the key markets for CNC machining is the automotive industry. Every step of the automobile manufacturing industry, from prototyping in research and development to producing large quantities of parts, benefits from using CNC machining.

Furthermore, a wide range of components, including massive engine block sections and small gears and panels, are produced by CNC milling machines and lathe equipment. For a combustion engine alone, several CNC machines are needed. These can be used for converting massive metal blocks into engine body panels and producing the cylinders, pistons and other components that go into making the cylinder assembly in the engine block.

Some of the components made through CNC machining are the following:

• Gearboxes.
• Engine parts.
• Axles.
• Valves.
• Dashboard panels.
• Cylinder blocks.
• Gas gauges.

Electronics

CNC machining is a useful manufacturing method for the electronics sector because of its accuracy and adaptability. Both conductive and nonconductive metals, as well as a variety of polymers, can be processed by CNC machines. With CNC technology, there is no need for a preproduction tooling stage, which speeds up the production of electronic components. Designs can also be easily modified and iterated with minimal supervision. Apple reportedly has 10,000 CNC machines and manufactures CNC-machined laptops on a massive scale.

Some examples of items produced by CNC machinery are the following:

• Consumer electronics.
• Semiconductors.
• Heat sinks.
• Printed circuit boards.
• Electrical insulation.
• Amplifier housings.
• Radio frequency interference shieldings.

Oil and gas

Large machinery used in drilling rigs and refineries is designed with CNC machines to ensure a flawless fit. An imperfect fit can cause cylinders to not fill, pistons to not exert the proper amount of pressure and valves to leak. Therefore, to ensure that the parts fit precisely as required, petrochemical businesses utilize parts that have been CNC-machined.

A few examples of parts created through CNC machines are the following:

• Drill bits.
• Rods.
• Pistons.
• Valves.
• Hydraulic components.
• Valving systems.

Marine

Because highly precise parts are required to keep ships running and afloat, the marine industry heavily relies on CNC machines. Watercraft require a plethora of equipment, including underwater sensors and communication equipment. As a result, the marine industry must use CNC precision when manufacturing boats and other marine equipment.

Some common parts manufactured through CNC machines are the following:

• Propellers.
• Insulating cases.
• Components for the engine.
• Prototype molds.
• Ribs.
• Stingers.