CNC cutting services are performed by CNC machines, an automated, computerized motion control machine used by manufacturers to produce custom-designed parts and components. Many markets rely on and benefit from CNC manufacturing applications, including the automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, and medical fields. The machines utilize multiple tools and can do the work of lathes, routers, mills, and grinders, and execute many types of cuts on a diverse array of engineering materials. Once programmed, CNC machines offer an assortment of complex cuts across several planes of movement with extreme precision and high repeatability.
The term CNC refers to a type of machine operated by computer numerical control. CNC cutting services that the machines perform are considered a subtractive manufacturing process—one in which computerized controls and machine cutting tools remove layers of material from stock material and workpieces to produce a custom-designed part. CNC cutting service applications are well-suited for a wide selection of materials, including metals, plastics, plywood, glass, foam, and composites, among other materials.
The automated, programmable nature of CNC machines enables the production of cost-effective parts and components with high precision and accuracy. Whether fulfilling full-scale production runs or for use in development and prototyping, many industries have come to depend on a wide range of CNC manufacturing applications to produce products quickly, accurately, and cost-effectively.
Sectors That Benefit from CNC Cutting Services
Automotive
Automotive manufacturers utilize CNC services to produce numerous car parts. For the automotive industry, reliability, repeatability, and precision combined with flexibility and customization are significant advantages of CNC machined parts and components. CNC controlled tools can produce custom-designed parts to limitless shapes and contours and do so in large volumes at high speeds to meet production requirements. It can also be used in product development and prototyping.
Aerospace
The aerospace industry encompasses an assemblage of industries that comprise five market sectors: space, commercial airliners, military aircraft, missile systems, and general aviation. CNC machining offers automation solutions in the manufacture of the many composite parts needed in aerospace manufacturing. With tolerances in the order of ±0.0001”, CNC machining provides high accuracy and repeatability of parts and components. Also, it ensures the compliance and safety of critical components required of aeronautical parts.
Commercial and Consumer Products
Mass production of commercial products for consumer goods requires high repeatability, accuracy, and high volume output at a competitive price. CNC cutting services meet these requirements with the added flexibility to cut a wide range of material in a vast array of sizes and shapes. Such services can also be utilized in product development, prototyping, 3D graphics, and modeling, which can correct design flaws before full production and, subsequently, shorten lead times. Variations and modifications of existing designs are other advantages offered by CNC machining.
Defense
The defense industry is another sector that benefits from CNC machining. The sector comprises numerous industry partners, all of whom rely on CNC services to manufacture parts instrumental to national security. The broad range of parts and components needed for defense applications must be of the highest quality, meet strict industry standards, and adhere to necessary safety codes. Components sourced from CNC services offer precision and quality assurance to meet defense industry standards.
Electronics
CNC applications for the electronics industry include design and production for parts and components necessary for manufacturing consumer electronic devices and equipment. CNC services provide accuracy, precision, and high process reliability required by manufacturers, and integrated CAD/CAM solutions aid in meeting production demands and developing prototyping and testing processes. As devices become smaller, lightweight, compact, and even more powerful, CNC capabilities can meet design requirements to produce small scale parts with exceptionally tight tolerances for high volume production runs.
Medical Products
The design and production of parts and components for medical devices and equipment require accuracy and repeatability with high precision. Lives can literally depend on it. CNC machines can process the necessary specialized medical-grade materials to meet the most stringent FDA compliance requirements through all the iteration stages of production. CNC capabilities can track and provide documentation and reports necessary for FDA approval and aid in new product development and fast prototyping, producing small runs for testing and then scale up to high volume production when required.