Machining, CNC Centres
CNC centres (CNC turning centres, machining centres) is the machine tool which is used to manufacture components where several processes are done in one machine tool.
The most common type of CNC centre is a vertical milling machine, that can switch tools automatically and has the ability to work from multiple angles because it has several axis. CNC centres are used to acheive complicated shapes and designs. One example is that a machine centre can shape components like a turned object, do splines, angles or ends.
There are several kinds of CNC centres, such as vertical machining centre, horizontal machining centre, CNC turning centre, multi tasking machines. Which machine to use for a specific component is usually determined by the shape and size of the workpiece, measured in length, width and height (X,Y,Z). Furthermore, some components require a number of axis, which are needed for creating certain angles. There are sometimes more unusual requirements, for example the amount of tools, power or number of spindles. A CNC centre is equipped with computer numerical control, which means a computer controls it.
Picture: Rockingham Manufacturing Ltd