WHAT IS CNC MACHINING?

3D printing, or additive manufacturing, is the process of depositing layers of material to build up the desired geometry. Generally speaking, CNC machining is used to refer to subtractive processes, where material is removed from the work piece, resulting in the desired geometry. While 3D printing processes can create more complex geometry such as internal latticing parts must also be supported during the printing process to prevent failure. CNC machining generally produces more accurate parts and can be significantly faster, especially when manufacturing single parts.

CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control, which means that a computer controls what the machine does, including (but not limited to) the spindle speed, feed rate and position in order to programme the computer, often called a control, a person can use computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software.

CAM software generates a series of instructions called toolpaths and then generally uses a post processor to translate that toolpath data into code the machine can read. Then a person would transfer that code onto the machine and run it to produce their final part.

Computerised numerical control machines commonly produce products across a broad spectrum of industries and sectors, such as metal automotive components, aerospace parts, plastic pieces, and wooden decorations. The machines often utilise a variety of manufacturing tools and components, such as: wood routers, turret punchers, embroidery tools, wire-bending machines, as well as glass, foam, and laser cutting tools.

With such a machine, you can make an endless number of common, everyday products from a variety of different materials, including wood, fabric, metal, and plastic. For example, CNC machining is widely used in the fashion industry to create items such as jewelry, belt heads, cufflinks, etc. You can also use a computerised numerical control machine to make interior decorations and furnishings, signs, board games, and much more!

Yes! Fusion 360 includes a powerful and easy-to-use CAM solution that can control a wide variety of CNC machines including mills, lathes, routers, mill/turn machines, plasma cutters, water jets and lasers. Fusion 360 also integrates CAD, CAE and ECAD along with CAM into a single solution to reduce data loss and improve process reliability for CNC machining and other downstream processes.

Fusion 360 costs year. A Fusion 360 licence gives you access to integrated 3D CAD, CAM, CAE, PCB, collaboration and data management tools in a single platform. Fusion 360 subscriptions also include EAGLE Premium, HSMWorks, Team Participant and access to generative design, cloud simulation and cloud rendering.

The first computer numerical control machine was credited to John Parsons in the 1940s. Parsons was involved in an Air Force Research Project, in which he calculated how to produce better helicopter blades by utilising a fresh numerical control technique.