KNOWLEDGE

What Tools are Used with a CNC Machine?

Computer Numerical Control (CNC)  machine tools are computer controlled pieces of equipment with a number of material forming applications. Each machine follows certain protocols designated by its CNC software. 

Drills
CNC machine drillsfollow specific instructions in the manufacturing of a part. A software platform can control the position of the cut, as well as the depth of the hole being drilled. Computer control is used when the work piece requires repeated drilling or tapping cycles. Certain parameters, such as depth, feed rate, retraction and cancellation of the cycle control the drilling sequence.

LathesA lathe is a machine that spins a part in place while a cutting blade removes excess material to prepare it for deformation . Lathes can be used for cutting, sanding, drilling, knurling, or deforming. Cutting fluid may be used to remove the swarf (debris), and to serve as a lubricant or coolant during the cutting process. CNC lathes are often used in the production of camshafts and crankshafts.

Electrical Discharge Machining Machines (EDMs)Electrical discharge machining is a technique for making minute, complex cuts or contours in hardened materials that would otherwise be difficult to shape. EDM is only effective on electrical conductors, and is used mainly on ferrous alloys. EDM machines fire a series of rapid electrical bursts from an electrode to melt or vaporize material. The remaining debris is flushed away with dielectric fluid.

Milling MachinesMilling machines= are used to make complex shapes out of metals and other solids. A work piece is fixed to a moveable table that guides the material around a stationary rotating cutter, or, inversely, a moving cutter operates across a stationary table.Some of them  also feature a spindle that can be moved along its Z-axis, thus offering a more adjustable cutting method. Milling machines are commonly used for planing, drilling, rebating, routing, and slot cutting. In addition, machines equipped with the Z-axis spindle can be used to create advanced three dimensional objects, such as relief sculptures. Milling machines can also be used for die-sinking and engraving projects.

Plasma Cutting MachinesCNC plasma cutters= use a plasma torch to cut material under the direction of a software program. A computerized torch head slices a work piece along the axes of a CNC table, often preparing welding seams for the manufacture of multi-part components. Plasma cutting can usually handle thick material, and the process is frequently used in the production of ducts and vents.

 

Water Jet Cutter MachinesWater jet cutting simulates erosion by using a stream of high-pressurized water (sometimes in combination with an abrasive , such as grit or aluminum oxide) to cut through material. The process reduces the risk of heat-damaging the work piece, and though it can be applied to a wide range of materials, some substances are impervious to it. As in other CNC systems, the table or the jet mechanism are under computer control.

Laser Cutting MachinesLaser cutters use a high-powered laser to shape work pieces. Since the excess material usually melts, vaporizes, or is blown away from the cut, the process can yield clean, high quality finishes. CNC lasers can provide improved accuracy due to the precision of computer controlled cutting.

Oxy-Fuel Cutting Machines
Oxy-fuel cutters use a torch to heat ferrous metals to their kindling point and apply a pressurized stream of pure oxygen to cause a chemical reaction in which slag is channeled away from the cut. These cutters are powered with gases, such as acetylene, and a CNC program guides both the torch and the oxygen release rate.

  

The Programming and Processes of CNC MachiningMany CNC machines employ a numerical control programming language that uses preparatory codes, or “G-Codes,” to coordinate the tool and initiate its work orders. Three dimensional models generated in computer aided design (CAD) programs are converted into CNC code through computer aided manufacturing (CAM) software before work can begin.
There are roughly four stages in the CNC manufacturing process: roughing, semi-finishing, finishing, and contour milling. Here is a brief outline of each step:

•  Roughing begins with the introduction of the raw stock, or billet, which is  cut into the approximate shape of the final product. 

• Semi-Finishing employs raster passes, constant step-over passes, waterline passes, or pencil milling techniques to hone the material closer to its final shape.

• Finishing initiates a faster spindle rotation speed and a decreased material feed rate. This step produces applies a finer finish to the piece.

• Contour Milling is usually used on hardware with five or more axes. During contouring, the work piece is rotated to allow a cutting tool to finish the part with higher dimensional accuracy. Contour milled components can have greatly improved surface finish.

Engineering Career

Engineers are the persons who use their knowledge and abilities of math and science and create a better environment for other to work efficiently. They invent or discover new things or procedures for making our lives more easy and luxurious. There is always a way to make working of something efficient and engineers search that method.

In engineering, engineers interact with other branches of science too. So if someone is a computer engineer, it doesn’t mean that he only have knowledge about computer. When he develops new software, he gets information from common people, sees their problems and thinks of making their work easier by making a new computer program.

Unlike old times, there are a lot of engineering branches. Some of them are old and some of them are quite new. Some of engineering branches are:

• Agriculture
• Aerospace
• Civil
• Biochemical
• Chemical
• Computer
• Electrical
• Health and safety
• Environmental
• Industrial
• Geological
• Mechanical
• Nuclear

As the world is changing day by day, people are getting smarter. That means every day we hear about a new type of engineering.

Tips for an engineering career:

If you are not an art lover or don’t find any charm in the soft side of nature, that means you are good at other things like mathematics and science. There is nothing better than an engineer career if you love to build or have a mechanical mind. You may think that it’s unnecessary but it’s important to take it serious in start of your career. A strong foundation is very important for a better career in engineering.
Also books don’t provide all the information all the time. That means you have to take some extra steps even when you are studying in the college. You have to be technical in order to become a better engineer. Try to join a technical college too along with regular studies or better find an experienced person and spend some time with him. Books can’t teach you the things you will learn by spending some time with a technical person.
Sometimes it’s not fundamental to do an internship with your study but do it anyway. Internship is way more than just getting a recommendation latter. It provides you the opportunity of talking to professionals in your career and this way you will learn a lot about the working of engineering companies and their expectations about new recruiters.

Advantages of an engineering career:

This is a career with a variety of branches like chemical, mechanical or computer and the good news is that all these branches are interconnected. That means with experience of computer engineering, you can also do a mechanical or electrical job. This gives you total job satisfaction that gives happiness and peace in both work and personal life.
If you like problem solving, this career can be a heaven for you. Engineering work has a lot of problems which means you will deal with a new problem everyday and have a variety of challenges. Engineering work takes you to another level of thinking which means you will have the ability to think outside the box when it comes to your work or personal problems.
Another good thing about an engineering career is that you will get paid more than most of other careers like medical or educational. On the other hand, an engineer always has life insurance which means in case of an accident, you will be leaving a lot for your family.

Disadvantages of an engineering career:

The worst thing about an engineering career is that it takes a lot of your time. You may end up working 120 hours a week and 30 days a month. There will be possibilities that you won’t be able to enjoy vacations with your family due to deadlines or running projects. This can disturb your personal life which can lead to stress and depression.
If you hate to write long report, this career won’t be as fascinating as it seemed. You may have to write lengthy report on the progress of a project. You have to tell your client whenever you reach a milestone that means more and more meetings.
If you are supervisor of a particular site, that means you have responsibility of many employees along with yourself. You have to keep a suitable environment for the working of every team member. You seniors will ask you if something is going wrong with the project and this means having extra stress in your mind.