CNC Machining For Precision and Economy

Among the latest technologies in the machining industry is CNC machining, or “computer numerical control” machining. Though complicated to operate, requiring specialized training and knowledge, and costly to convert a machine shop to, the benefits of CNC machining processes are significant. They allow for increased automation to increase efficiency and prevent human variation and error in the machined parts. The benefits outweigh initial costs, with the systems usually returning a quick return on the investment in busy machine shops.

With increased automation, labor costs are greatly reduced, lowering the costs of part machining by a significant margin. Without the need for operator involvement with CNC machines computer operated independently, fewer operators are required. CNC machines can be run 24 hours a day at speeds much greater than human machinists, making them ideal for fast, precision piecework in large quantities.

CNC machining increases operator safety, reducing the incidence of accidents in the machine shop. If a machine malfunctions, the only potential damage resulting will be to the machine or part, not to a human operator. This increases the safety rating of the shop and reduces insurance costs to the company as well as protects the operators.

Precision CNC machining produces parts that are exacting to standards to the thousands of an inch without variation, something not possible with even the most skilled human machinists. It produces parts that are exactly the same with every run, ensuring a lack of defective parts that result in losses of time and money. Once the computer program is developed for the production of the piece, it can be exactly replicated without limit.

CNC machining offers the flexibility to produce a vast array of products. With skilled programming, a CNC machine can switch from producing a prototype to an obsolete part to ten thousand custom fasteners in a day. This allows a CNC machine shop to respond quickly to customer needs to create a required part in an emergency situation. The CNC machine shop can not only do the work faster and more precisely, it can do it at a lower cost than other machine shops, since it has a lower overhead and increased efficiency.

Whether your company needs 5,000 custom bolts for a specialty application, you are an inventor seeking a prototype, or you are in need of a part no longer available from the original manufacturer, look for a CNC machine shop in your area.