You are reading the right article if you wish to know more about large CNC turning. In this read, we will be discussing the important things to know about this mechanical process.
When the process is first explained, you may think of the concept as straightforward. However, it may be more complex than you think. So, to make sure you do not get confused, we will start by first discussing what CNC turning machining is all about.
CNC Turning – What exactly is it?
CNC is an acronym for the phrase Computer Numerical Control which is what allows automated machining processes. Read this article to learn more about CNC.
Turning which is the second part of the process we are discussing refers to the procedure where a work piece is being rotated and at the same time, a cutting tool is removing the unwanted material. At the end of the process when all the unwanted material is cut off, the design would have been achieved.
When put together, CNC turning refers to a mechanical process that involves the use of a computer-controlled machine that turns the work piece while cutting off unwanted materials.
It can be done either horizontally or vertically. The horizontal orientation is often used for work pieces that have big radii when compared to their lengths.
Large CNC Turning
Large CNC turning refers to a subdivision of this mechanical process. It is typically used to make products that have a big diameter. Just like any other CNC process, it also offers several benefits like accuracy and high precision.
However, it is not a straightforward process. So, it is important to understand the when and how of the procedure to ensure a great job is done in the end.
Industries that Use Large CNC Turning
Several industries apply this process when making their tools, machines, and products. Below are some of these industries:
1. Aviation
The main reason this industry uses this procedure is its ability to deliver accurate and high-precision results. It is also a desired technique because it can be used to upgrade and replace their machines on-demand.
2. Automotive
When it comes to producing prototype vehicles, this industry favors the small-scale version of the process. However, when it comes to producing real-time, the larger version is often opted for.
3. Mining
Mining has always been a strenuous activity. You can visit https://www.earthsystems.com/history-mining/ to learn more about the history of mining. Even now that technology has greatly advanced and we have automated machines, the tool used for this activity still needs to be big and strong.
This is why large Computer Numerical Control equipment is the perfect fit for making mining tools and parts like ranging arms, gearboxes, and gear racks.
4. Power Generation
If energy is to be efficiently generated, the parts that would be involved need to be big. Since the parts would be big, the diameters would also be big meaning a large CNC tool is required. Turbine casings and generation engines are some products that would require this machining.
5. Oil & Gas
Drilling stations need to make use of equipment with large parts that can only be done via large-scale Computer Numerical Control machines. Some of these large parts are gearboxes, mud pumps, and connecting rods.
Shapes that Can Be Made with Computer Numerical Control Turning
Several profiles can be made via this process; however, this is often based on what procedure was used.
Lathes can be used for drilling, boring, knurling, threading, external grooving, taper, and straight turning.
With this procedure, you can get shapes ranging from disks, cones, cylinders, or even a combination of all these shapes. With certain centers, you can achieve polygonal turning and create even a hexagon. This manufacturing procedure is so widespread that you can commonly find everyday products that have parts made with them.
The Process
To make a part with this procedure, you simply need the following:
1. The Design
The first step in the procedure is to convert the design to the machine language. The drawings of the design will be captured with software and then exported. We do not want to bore you with the nitty-gritty of the procedure; hence we are simply giving a simplified version of it.
2. The Turning and Cutting
Once the design is converted, the next step is the main action. Two variables always come to play here; the rate of the feed which is how fast the machine’s cutting tool goes along the material being rotated. The second variable is the rotating speed.
These values can affect the results if they are not properly estimated. Hence, an expert always has to determine them.
As we said, Large CNC Turning is a complicated procedure and sadly we cannot discuss all there is to know about it in this brief article. However, we hope you have learned a thing or two so far.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed some of the important things about large CNC turning such as the process, what it is, and where it is applied.
