What is CNC ?

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Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machining is a manufacturing process that uses pre-programmed computer software to manipulate a base material into useful parts and products.

CNC machines rely on computer code to control a wide variety of machining tools, including grinders, lathes, drills, boring tools and more.

You start the process by creating a 2D or 3D CAD drawing before translating this into computer code to be inputted into the CNC system. Known as G-code, these instructions tell the machine how to move, where to cut and how fast to go.

Unlike additive manufacturing techniques like 3D printing, CNC machining is a subtractive process. This involves trimming or cutting away at a base material to an exact specification.

CNC machining is particularly important in metal and plastic manufacturing processes, but it can also be used on other base materials like wood and ceramic.

List of G-Codes
G00	Rapid traverse motion; Used for positioning of non-cutting moves. NOTE: Machine rapids at 710 inches per minute (IPM).
G01	Linear interpolation motion; Used for actual machining and metal removal. Program with a feed rate in inches (or mm) per minute. Maximum feed rate of machine is 300 inches per minute.
G02	Circular Interpolation – Clockwise
G03	Circular Interpolation – Counter-clockwise
G28	Machine Home (Rapid traverse)
G40	Cutter Compensation m CANCEL
G41	Cutter Compensation LEFT
G42	Cutter Compensation RIGHT
G43	Tool LENGTH Compensation+
G54	Work Coordinate #1 (Part zero)
G80	Canned Cycle Cancel
G81	Drill Canned Cycle
G82	Spot Drill Canned Cycle
G83	Peck Drill Canned Cycle
G84	Tapping Canned Cycle
G90	Absolute Programming Positioning
G91	Incremental Programming Positioning
G98	Initial Point Return
G99	Reference Plane Return

List of M-Codes
M00	The M00 code is used to stop a program. It also stops the spindle, turns off the coolant and stops interpretation lookahead processing. The CYCLE START button will continue program operation from the next block.
M01	The M01 command is identical to M00 except that it only stops if optional stop, OPT STOP key, is turned on from the control panel. A cycle start will continue program operation from the nest block.
M03	Starts the spindle Clockwise. Must have a spindle speed defined.
M04	Starts the spindle Counter-clockwise.
M05	Stops the spindle.
M06	Tool change command along with a tool number. This command will automatically stop the spindle, Z-axis will automatically move up to the machine zero position and the selected tool will be put in spindle.
M08	Coolant ON command.
M09	Coolant OFF command.
M30	Program end and rewind to beginning of program.
M97	Local subroutine call.
M98	Subprogram call.
M99	Subprogram return, or loop

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Advantages of CNC Machining
CNC machining holds several advantages over alternative manufacturing processes.

Lower labour costs
One of the key advantages of CNC machining is that it can reduce a company’s labour costs.

CNC technicians need to be able to set up, monitor and maintain machines. But it doesn’t take a skilled craftsman to run a CNC machine, unlike with some more traditional manufacturing processes.

Inexperienced CNC operators can be trusted to create products with little training. And because CNC machines eliminate much of the potential for human error, CNC machines can also help improve the quality of your products.

Practically, one CNC technician can often work across multiple machines without specialising in one craft, leading to a further saving on labour cost.

Precision
CNC machines don’t (often) make mistakes. Barring faults with the machine or errors made by an operator, CNC machines will create your products to precise specifications laid out in your CAD drawing.

Precision can vary slightly from machine to machine, but the CNC machining can be used to create sensitive products where tolerances are very small.

Increased productivity
CNC machines come with a high initial price tag. But they also speed up processes, leading to increased productivity and lower running costs.

And because machines don’t need sleep or toilet breaks, CNC machines can be run around the clock without resorting to caffeine to boost performance. The only time a CNC machine needs to stop working is when it is being repaired or maintained.

Repetition, repetition, repetition
When you are creating a single, custom-built product or part then conventional machining might make sense.

But if you have high production quotas and need to produce and reproduce a part or product multiple times, CNC machining makes life much easier.

Once you have the CAD drawing and the G-code to tell your CNC machine what sequence of actions to follow, you can create the same part or product, again and again, ad infinitum.

This master design can be stored safely and retrieved in a month, a year or a decade when you decide to create the product again to exactly the same specification.

Speed up prototyping
Prototyping can slow down product development. CNC software speeds up the process, letting you simulate production on software before putting it into a quick and painless production process.

Design complexity
CNC machining can provide more design complexity than other manufacturing processes like 3D processing.

If your product has a lot of fine detailing on the exterior of the product then CNC machining is preferable. But there are some design features that you can’t achieve with CNC machining.

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Disadvantages of CNC Machining
Like every manufacturing process, CNC machining is not without its drawbacks.

Cost
CNC machines are advanced bits of kit and they don’t come cheap. But it is important to see the high price tag as an investment in long-term financial savings, efficiency, quality and reliability.

Losing the old ways
CNC machine operators don’t need as much training. And there is some understandable worry that the art and craft of manual machining will disappear with the current generation.

Some people think that these skills have an inherent value in and of themselves. The loss of traditional machining jobs could also result in some manual machinists struggling to find the same work.

Small changes are tricky
When you are machining something manually, making a small product change is relatively straightforward. Shaving a few millimetres here and drilling a new hole there is no problem for a skilled operator.

But these small changes are harder with CNC machining. It involves going back to the drawing board and rewriting the program to account for a relatively minor change.

The case of waste
Compared with some alternative manufacturing processes like additive manufacturing, CNC machining produces a lot more waste. This is because it’s a subtractive process, so necessarily involves the stripping away of useless bits of material.

Although these bits of material can often be repurposed or recycled, there is still an environmental cost of this waste. It also means that you need to use more raw material.

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