Addition CNC machines turning, milling, cutting, and so on, there are also many other computer numerical control. For example, from CNC drilling machines, through P&P machines that are widely used in the electronics industry to place devices in the exact place, to welding machines that can also be used in the electronics sector. , among others. Here we will see some of them, their characteristics, and some purchase recommendations.
The best CNC machine models (of other types)
If you didn't find what you were looking for in the previous articles on CNC lathes, CNC mills, CNC routers, and more, you may need to take a look at these other articles. purchase recommendations:
Weikexinbang 4030
Professional and multi-purpose CNC equipment. It is a 4030KW 1.5 machine that is capable of performing various types of machining with its multiple tools, such as drilling, engraving, milling and cutting.
CNC P&P CHMT48VB SMT
High precision equipment for the electronics industry. A CNC pick and place machine to place all surface mount elements (SMT/SMD) in the right place, quickly and accurately. In addition, it also includes a feeder, printer and a reflow machine for soldering.
splicer SKYSHL
Fusion splicer that uses CNC technology to splice or weld optical fiber. It has a 4.3″ touch screen for easy monitoring and control. In addition, it will heat up quickly, offering splices instantly, and with a function to check the status of said joint.
CNC drilling machine
A machine CNC drilling or boring machine It is nothing more than an advanced drilling equipment, controlled by software. To work, it will use a motor and a drill that will rotate at high speeds to make the necessary perforations or holes in the piece. Generally, it is not common to find CNC drilling machines, but they are usually somewhat more complete machines, such as milling machines that allow the use of drill bits instead of milling cutters.
The holes that this type of machine can drill can be of different depths and diameters, both through and blind. In any case, it will do them with a high accuracy. In addition, this type of equipment will not require a person to move the pieces or drill manually, which will improve productivity.
CNC drills are tower-type machines, with a bed and a tool capable of drilling only vertically, horizontally, or at any angle, depending on the axes you have. And, as for the materials that I can drill, they can be the most varied, such as wood, metal, marble, plastics, glass, and more.
Other types
Addition CNC machines already seen, there are also other types that are somewhat less known to some users, but are widely used in some industrial sectors. Here are some cases:
Pick and Place Machine (Pick & Place)
A machine pick and place (P&P), as its name suggests, is used to pick and place. This type of CNC control will simply pick up some part and place it in the right place. This is suitable for performing repetitive and non-ergonomic tasks quickly and accurately.
Given the advantages of this type of pick and place machine, it is widely used in multiple industrial sectors. Some examples of applications of a P&P are:
- Electronics: they are widely used to place all kinds of surface mount components (resistors, capacitors, chips, transistors, diodes,...) on a PCB, so that they can then be soldered. On a modern printed circuit board, there can be hundreds of elements, some very small. These machines will get the job done extremely quickly, something a human couldn't do.
- Assembly and packaging: It is also possible that they are used for this other work, taking a piece from a place and placing it in the packaging.
- Inspection and QA: for inspection and quality control they could also be used, detecting defective parts and collecting said part and placing it in a defective warehouse.
Of course, in order to perform these tasks, P&P's CNC machines will require several additional systems. Not only a spindle or head that can pick up and drop in the right position, but also clamping systems. artificial vision, or guidance systems (laser, IR,…) to hit.
As for the the benefits Of this type of pick and place machines, the following stand out:
- Performance and productivity: they can work very quickly and without getting tired.
- Security: they can prevent operators from suffering some accidents or injuries due to performing these repetitive tasks (musculoskeletal problems).
- Precision: Despite the high speed at which they work, the precision of these machines is extremely good.
- Flexibility: If the PCB or product model is changed, it can be programmed by software to work with the new parts needed and position change.
- Return of investment: These are expensive and advanced machines, but they can quickly return on investment by improving productivity and reducing part defects due to human error.
CNC grinding machine / CNC grinder
Una cnc grinding machine It is a machine that is equipped with precise tools (grinding wheels) to be able to work with all kinds of parts in a flexible way. For example, it can be used for finishing, machining small shafts, prosthetics, medical industry, etc. All this is achieved by machining by abrasion, with greater dimensional precision and less surface roughness than with other machines that remove chips, such as milling machines.
The CNC grinder can not only use the grinding wheels or abrasive belts for grinding, can also sand, polish, and even cut materials (metal, wood, stone, ceramic, granite,...). In other words, it can also be used as a machine for post-process treatments.
3D Printer
Electric or spark discharge machine
These other machines perform machining EDM or electrical discharge machining or spark discharge machining. That is, a thermal removal process for materials that are electrical conductors. Electrical discharges (sparks) travel from a tool electrode to the part being machined. The sparks melt the material at the points where they hit and cause it to evaporate.
The process can be controlled by parameters such as the intensity, frequency, duration, polarity of discharges, etc. In addition, it is necessary to differentiate between spark erosion drilling processes, EDM cutting, or submerged die cutting.
As for electrode materials used by these CNC machines are:
- Copper
- Graphite
- Copper-tungsten alloy
The material of the electrodo will depend on the type of material to machine On the other hand, we must not forget that the piece is in the presence of a dielectric fluid.
As for the the advantages highlights of this machining method include:
- Non-contact process, does not generate cutting forces or vibrations in the pieces. That is why you can work with very fragile pieces.
- Good tolerances even in highly complex parts.
- They do not produce burr edges.
- Very hard metals can be worked.
- It could be used to machine flammable or explosive materials, since the machining is done inside a fluid.
and also has some disadvantages or limitations:
- It cannot be used on non-conductive materials.
- A slow process.
- There could be a surface layer of molten metal that is very brittle and extremely hard and will need to be removed after processing on parts that need good fatigue strength.
- The surface finish is not perfect, it has some roughness.
CNC welding machine
We previously discussed CNC cutting machines, such as plasma cutting, laser cutting, etc. But there are also CNC machines for joining, such as cnc welding machine. Thanks to it, parts can be joined precisely, quickly, and even to pieces of tiny dimensions or too complex for a person to carry out welding by hand.
All the welding technologies They can be of the most varied, from fiber laser technology, to plasma, through ultrasound, by electrical impulses, by arc, etc. You can also find the most varied melting temperatures, to be able to adapt to the different types of materials that admit welding (weldability):
- Excellent:
- Tin
- Gold
- Silver
- Palladium
- Rodio
- Cadmium
- Good:
- Copper
- Bronze
- Brass
- Lead
- Media:
- Carbon Steel
- low alloy steel
- Zinc
- Nickel
- BeCu/CuBe
- Low:
- Aluminum
- aluminum bronze
- Hard:
- high alloy steel
- Stainless steel
- Very difficult:
- Chrome
- Titanium
- Iron
- Tantalum
- Magnesium
CNC machine with automatic tool changes (Automatic Tool Change)
A CNC machine with automatic tool change, too known as ATC (Automatic Tool Change), is a type of equipment with a multi-tool head capable of changing from one to another fully automatically, without the need for an operator to remove the current tool to replace it with another tool necessary for machining. She alone will change according to the tool that is needed at each moment, thanks to a tool holder specially designed for this purpose (and code commands that order the tool change).
This type of machine can increase productivity, but it also has its limitations. One of them is that it can be the number of tools it supports. However, higher end ATC machines may have chain tool holding systems that could use up to 20 or 30 different tools (in some cases they can reach 100 or more).
More information
- CNC machines: guide to numerical control
- How a CNC machine works and applications
- Prototyping and CNC design
- All types of CNC machines according to use and characteristics
- CNC lathe types and characteristics
- Types of CNC milling machines
- Types of CNC router and CNC cutting
- Types of laser engraving
- How can a CNC machine help in the company
- Buying Guide: How To Choose The Best CNC Machine
- Maintenance of CNC machines
- Definitive guide on plotters: what is a plotter and what is it for
- The best CNC machines for leisure and professional use
- The best printing plotters
- The best cutting plotters
- The best consumables for potters: cartridges, paper, vinyl, and spare parts