CNC Machining

Numerical Control (NC) means control by numbers. Computer Numerical Control (CNC) means control by computerized numbers. CNC machining is a computer-assisted process to control general-purpose machines from instructions generated by a processor and stored in a memory system or storage media (tape, disk, chip, etc.), for present use as well as future use. Controlling machines by numerical commands has brought about a revolution in manufacturing.

CNC machining can be adapted to any kind of machine or process that requires direction by human intelligence.

CNC machining is a specific form of control system where “position” is the principal controlled variable. Numerical values, representing desired positions of tools and symbolic information corresponding to secondary functions, are recorded in some form like tape, disk, etc., where the information can be revised indefinitely.
Hard drives, tape readers, and other converters transform this information into signals that ultimately operate servo-mechanisms on each axis of the machine whose motions are to be controlled.

CNC machining was originally applied to metalworking machinery: Mills, Drills, Boring Machines, and Punch Presses. It has expanded to other areas of metalworking including applications in Robotics, on cutoff machines, tube benders, grinders of many types, gear cutters, broaching machines, electromechanical machining, flame cutting, and welding.
CNC machining is also used for inspection, drafting systems, electronics assembly machines, laser cutting and bonding processes, automatic testing systems, printing machinery, woodworking machinery, step-and-repeat photography, and garment-cutting equipment.

Nowadays, 32- and 64- bit- bus microprocessors directly coupled with the production-machine control systems are expanding both the application and the definition of CNC machining.