CNC machines are both resourceful and cost-efficient. These machines are compatible with businesses of different scales and are used by industries of almost every size.
The first-ever Numerical Control machines emerged in the chaotic decade of the 1940s. However, many similar machines were built to increase precision and replace handcrafted techniques even before the 1940s.
CNC machines have evolved at a breakneck pace ever since. Even though it took a while, today, we can gain many benefits from the capabilities of CNC machines.
CNC machines combine multiple tools such as lathes, drilling machines, and mining tools. These CNC machines are designed for manufacturing various three-dimensional parts and are operated with the latest computer numerical control techniques.
The applications of CNC machines know no limits as businesses can produce almost any type of materials with these machines.
Now, if your company has just begun operations and you want cost-effective ways to operate, we suggest you keep checking industrial equipment auctions for used CNC machines that suit your business requirement.
Let us take a better look at CNC machines and their history through this article.
Initial Days of CNC Machines
The idea of Numerical Control was around for a long time, but the first solution using the technology was developed in 1949 by an early computing pioneer John T Parsons. The solution was developed as a part of an Air Force research project at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The Cold War led to a massive demand for advanced and automated technology, which accelerated the evolution of automation technology.
Furthermore, another computer pioneer named Richard Kegg collaborated with MIT in 1952 to develop the first-ever CNC milling machine named Cincinnati Hydro-Tel. The first CNC machines used the commonly used punched tapes, but with the arrival of better technologies, it was replaced by analog computing technologies. In the following decades of the 60s and 70s, various new digital technologies were introduced, making the production processes more smooth with a primary focus on automation.
Industries that Leverage the Capabilities of CNC machines
CNC machines are equipped with exceptional capabilities that make them perfect for almost every industry. This technology is used to build anything from our transportations such as cars, trains or airplanes to the little tools we use in our daily lives. Here are some of the many industries that benefit from CNC machines:
Metal Removing Industries: The metal removing industry is responsible for removing metal from the raw materials. These metals are then given to other industries such as the automotive industry or manufacturing industry.
The metal removing process employs different types of machines such as drilling machines, lathes, boring machines, and more. Earlier, these machines were operated by an operator, but the CNC versions can be controlled through CNC machining centers.
Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) Industry: The EDM machines are used to remove metal by burning the unwanted metal with sparks. EDM machining with CNC automation can be done in two different ways.
The first is the Vertical EDM, and the second is Wire EDM. Vertical EDM uses an electrode that must be the same size and shape as that of the cavity to be carved out. Wire EDM can make punch and die combinations for the dies set used in industries where fabrication is done.
Fabricating Metal Industries: Many industries require thin plates similar to steel plates for various purposes, and especially in fabrication industries, all the machine operations are performed on such plates.
CNC machines are used in these industries for various purposes such as laser cutting, welding, shearing, plasma cutting, punching, and many other applications.
Electronic Industry: CNC machines are beneficial to make prototypes and other operations involved in the production process of electronics. This technology is used to produce various sorts of electronics such as smartphones, laptops, and many others.
CNC machines help such industries in engineering housing, fixtures, PCBs, jigs, and other essential components of the electrical devices that we use in our everyday lives.
Healthcare Industry: CNC machines have been very helpful in the process of producing various medical equipment. The consistency of CNC machines is vital to maintain the high performance of medical machinery components.
Various medical components are produced with the CNC technology, such as electronic enclosures, implants, surgical instruments, and orthotics.
Automotive Industries: CNC machines are handy for prototyping and producing different components for the automotive industry. The CNC technology can be used to produce plastic components such as dashboard panels and gas gauges. With fast turnaround time CNC can be useful to create different replacement parts of vehicles.
In case you’re confused about the brands to put your money in, try Toshiba CNC machines as they’re very well renowned for providing the best in class machines to their customers.
Conclusion:
CNC machines are involved with almost every industry you can think of as it perfectly suits the requirements of those industries. The progress made by all different industries revolves around the advancements made in CNC technology.
Remember, Toshiba machines are equipped with extensive training and a deep understanding of CNC processes to give you the most cost-efficient solutions
