Types Of CNC Machines

If you are searching for the different “Types of CNC Machines”, this post should help! Using a CNC machine to aid in your project is fast and precise. CNC machines are easier to use than conventional tools when it comes to cutting, grinding, and drilling.

There are six types of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines

Different industries require different types of CNC machines. These types of cnc machines are lathe, milling, router, plasma cutting, laser cutting, and electric discharge.

• CNC Lathe Machines
• CNC Milling Machine
• CNC Router Machine
• CNC Plasma Cutting Machine
• CNC Laser Cutting Machines
• CNC Electric Discharge Machine

There are a variety of industries, all of which use all six of the various types of CNC machines and each machine has an application of their own. Below is a small explanation of the various types of CNC machines.

CNC Lathe Machines

This machine has the ability of cutting work pieces after they are turned. A CNC Lathe machine is able quickly to make precision cuts through the utilization of various apparatuses. In contrast to manual lathe machines, the CNC machines have been successful with the exactness that they give.

CNC Milling Machines

Many milling machines today are being built just for the CNC, whereas, others are being retrofitted later on. With many of these machines being extremely huge, they have their own built-in tool changers, various electrical sensors to safely monitor the cutters constantly, and automatic feeder mechanisms for loading.

CNC Router Machines

Anytime someone is learning about CNC, they will see this machine often, as it is considered to be a common part of the machinery in industries today. They are built exclusively to be operated by CNC technology. These machines do not have a human interface and they can only be operated through a computer. Generally, Routers were designed with the idea of producing larger works by cutting plastics, woods, and sheet metal. The Router machine is more commonly seen in a set-up having 3-axis (X, Y, and Z). A set-up such as this allows or basic profiles to be cut, as well as three-dimensional relief machining. There are some four, five, and six axis Router machines, which are used for the cutting of complex shapes and/or prototype models.

CNC Plasma Cutting Machines

This type of machine is similar to the Router machine when it comes to its set-up and size, except, it does not need such a powerful set-up since it does not have to carry around a spinning tool, but only use a plasma torch above the table.

CNC Laser Cutting Machines

Having the same principles as the Plasma cutting machine, the only exception is that the CNC Laser cutting machine does not consist of as much force. Laser cutting is used a lot for cutting plastic, wood, and metals, with the strength of the laser being suited for each of the different material used.

CNC Electric Discharge Machines

The EDM (stands for the Electric Discharge machining), consists of making particular shapes within a specified material through electrical releases (starts). Next, expelling the material of a certain work piece through repeating more of the electrical releases of two different anodes, these are isolated using a dielectric liquid that gets an electric voltage regularly.

Different types and the many applications of CNC machines

The various types of CNC Machines perform different duties and applications. Continue reading below for some small examples of each one.

Milling:

These are CNC machines that are widely used, primarily used to drill and turn metals.

Routers:

Used in the cutting of complex and intricate shapes and also for prototypes from sheets of sheet metal.

Lathes:

These have an automatic tool change programmed inside of them and are used in the production of shapes and molds that are 3D.

Plasma cutting:

These used less power than does the Routers in utilizing 2D shapes and molds for cutting.

Laser cutting:

These are operated similar to that of plasma cutting, only instead of a plasma torch, it uses a laser.

The 5-axis:

This means that the CNC machine is being operated on three-perpendicular axes that has two rotary axes.

The 6-axis:

Meaning the CNC machining is being performed on three-perpendicular axes, having three rotary axes.