Industrial and manufacturing processes rely on established and well-developed techniques that are implemented all over the world. Stainless steel forming, 3D printing technologies, and vacuum forming are just a few.  Computerized numerical control, better known as CNC, is another crucial manufacturing process. 
A CNC machine can process materials without the need for human control by following a previously programmed numerical code. Essentially, once the correct sequence is programmed, the rest of the process is automated. 

What is CNC Fabrication? 

CNC fabrication is creating bespoke products from various materials based on programmable control of a fabrication machine. Fabrication machines come in multiple sizes depending on manufacturing requirements and utilize different specialized technologies, including lasers, punches, pressers, and machine tool lathes. 

The precise nature of CNC fabricators makes them useful for many industries and manufacturing. However, they are crucial for component manufacture where speed, accuracy, and quality are essential. As such, aerospace, the defense industry, and electronics manufacturers all benefit from the unique features of computer-aided manufacture via CNC. 

The History of CNC Fabrication 

While John T. Parsons is the father of CNC programming, the first CNC machine was developed in 1952 by Richard Kegg and MIT. Known as the Cincinnati Milacron Hydrotel, the project eventually became the Motor Controlled Apparatus for Positioning Machine Tool in 1958. This impressive device successfully refined the earlier ‘52 model and is considered the birth of modern CNC fabrication. 
Modern CNC machines are incredibly advanced and can operate a variety of functions across multiple axes. CNC fabrication begins with large sheets or blocks of the required material, such as metal or plastic. The material is then shaped into the desired shape by subtractive processes rather than most production processes that use the addition of materials such as polymers. 

Tools Needed in CNC Fabrication 

An exact machine, a modern fabricator uses specialized mills and other tools for rapid production through complex operations. Standard tools used with CNC include cutters, lathes, mills, routers, and grinders. Any tools used for computer-aided manufacture such as CNC are required to be robust enough to withstand the forces involved. As such, CNC tooling is standardized according to rigid specifications. However, there are different standards all over the world. 

CAT tooling was developed by Caterpillar and is most common in the United States, while ISO and SK standards are common in Europe. Other types include HSK and BT. Unfortunately, all CNC tooling standards are different and are not interchangeable with each other. Therefore, it isn’t possible to use CAT tooling on an HSK CNC machine and vice versa.  

The Advantages of CNC Fabrication 

The nature of CNC lends itself well to manufacturing. By removing the human element and programming a machine, repeated complex operations are possible without mistakes. In addition, programmable devices are incredibly accurate, especially when performing relatively simple calculations on 3D geometry. Because of this, CNC fabrication has numerous benefits over manual operations. 

Speed – Faster Than Any Human 

Automation processes can carry out each machine or pattern’s instruction set exceptionally quickly, and production speed is highly efficient. Moreover, absent a malfunction or tooling change, a machine doesn’t need a break. Therefore, a CNC fabricator can perform repetitive tasks as much as required. 

Accuracy – Complex Dimensional Tolerance 

The precise calculations involved in fabrication mean that each production operation is highly accurate. As a result, the same procedure can be performed repeatedly with the same results every time. CNC machines can also develop products with close dimensional tolerance, such as valves, shafts, and bearings that a human cannot. 

Quality – Consistent Results Every Time 

Manufacturing requires consistent results over and over to maximize efficiency. A machine can do this. Therefore, an automated CNC operation provides quality results over manual machining every time, for as long as the attached tooling is adequately able to.  

In Conclusion 

Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) is the subtractive process of machine cutting using computer-programmed coordinates. The principle of CNC is hundreds of years old, but modern computer-based CNC was developed in the 1950s by engineers John T. Parsons and Richard Kegg in conjunction with MIT. 

The exact nature of modern fabrication machines is standardized by multiple disciplines worldwide, with each region preferring one option over the other. For example, CAT tooling is popular in the United States, while ISO and the SK standard are the preferred option in Europe.  

Manual machine tooling is still a typical application for machinery processes in manufacturing. However, CNC is superior in many ways. Because the fabricators are automated, there is no chance of error as long as the machine is adequately programmed. Accurate programming enables precise and consistent results expeditiously and efficiently, with no loss of production quality. 

As the world becomes ever dependent on accurate and reliable products for such things as vehicles, intricate electronic devices and other consumer items, the case for CNC fabrication is clear. When it comes to reliable and accurate manufacture, CNC is no longer a choice but a requirement.