CNC means Computer Numerical Control. This means a computer converts the design produced by Computer Aided Design software (CAD), into numbers. The numbers can be considered to be the coordinates of a graph and they control the movement of the cutter.
VARIOUS TYPES OF CNC MACHINES Router
Plasma
Water jet
Pick and Place Oxy-Fuel
A CNC router can cut and engrave wood, metal, or plastic and is a very common type of CNC machine. The user does not manipulate the router, only enters information into the computer. If you were to order a cut sign made of these materials, chances are that a router was used to make it.
CNC plasma cutters are used to cut metal and wood (2 dimensional) and do not require as much power as a CNC router. These machines use a plasma torch to penetrate wood or sheet metal.
CNC laser cutters operate quite like CNC plasma cutters, but instead, a laser is used to cut the wood or metal. Lasers can also be used to cut plastic.
Pick and Place CNC Machines consist of several nozzles that pick up electrical components for electronic equipment and place them in the desired location. These are very commonly used in the construction of cell phones, computers, tablets, etc. Waterjet cutters work with a highly pressurized jet of water, or a mixture of water and abrasive. Waterjet cutting machines can cut wood to steel Oxyfuel cutters are used to cut through mild steel, stainless steel as well as aluminium. They are also capable of cutting metal plates and pipes.
A computer numerical control (CNC) router is a computer-controlled cutting machine related to the hand-held router used for cutting various hard materials, such as wood, composites, aluminium, steel, plastics, glass, and foams. CNC routers can perform the tasks of many carpentry shop machines such as the panel saw, the spindle moulder, and the boring machine. They can also cut mortises and tenons.
Applications A CNC router typically produces consistent and high-quality work and improves factory productivity. the CNC router can produce a one-off as effectively as repeated identical production. Automation and precision are the key benefits of CNC router tables.
A CNC router can reduce waste, the frequency of errors, and the time the finished product takes to get to market.A CNC router can be used in the production of many different items, such as door carvings, interior and exterior decorations, wood panels, sign boards, wooden frames, moldings, musical instruments, furniture, and so on. In addition, the CNC router helps in the thermoforming of plastics by automating the trimming process. CNC routers can help ensure part repeatability and sufficient factory output.
Parts of CNC Routers CNC routers have a few specific parts: a dedicated CNC controller, one or more spindle motors, servo motors or stepper motors, servo amplifiers, AC inverter frequency drives, linear guides, ball screws and a workspace bed or table.
In addition, CNC routers may have vacuum pumps, with grid table tops or t-slot hold down fixtures to hold the parts in place for cutting
GRAPHIC DESIGN 