Manufacturers face both new challenges and new opportunities as a result of advancements in Computer Numerical Control machining technology. Recent developments have altered the playing field.
In order to remain competitive, today's shop must take advantage of both technology and its workforce to gain a competitive advantage. Multi-axis machines, human-machine interfaces, and interconnectivity, or "smart" machines, are three trends to keep an eye on in the manufacturing industry.
Many companies are increasingly turning to automation and machines with attached robots to help them keep up with the pace of the market, which is becoming increasingly difficult as good programmers and machine operators become harder to come by
"Premier Equipment is a leading seller of used CNC machines
"5-axis machinery is still very popular and is becoming more and more common in standard job shops across the country," says Tom Kohm, President and CEO of Premier Equipment, a leading seller of used CNC machines
The most recent CNC machines are capable of performing a 4- or 5-axis process, as opposed to the previous 3-axis standard. When compared to a 3-axis setup, a 5-axis setup provides significantly more flexibility. It is possible to produce more complex parts without having to spend a significant amount of time repositioning. Multi-axis machines are now at a price point that makes them widely available to a larger number of people. Another cost-effective and convenient feature of modularity is the ability to upgrade a 3-axis machine to a 4- or 5-axis machine. It is now possible to create more complex pieces at a faster rate than previously.
CNC process modifications necessitate the development of new skill sets among the manufacturing workforce. As more and more old school machinists retire, the industry as a whole is struggling to keep a steady stream of new operators coming into the industry. There is also the challenge of ensuring that current operators are up to date with the capabilities of increasingly sophisticated CNC machines.
Operators will increasingly receive tutorials and troubleshooting from the machines themselves in the future, according to current machine design trends. Touchscreen controls provide a simple and intuitive user interface that can alert the operator of any potential errors as they occur. Because the machine itself is designed to warn operators of potential problems or miscalculations before they occur, operators can work more quickly and confidently while making fewer mistakes than ever before.
CNC machines that are capable of collecting and sharing data are yet another factor that contributes to faster and more efficient operation. In order to ensure uniform production, specifications and instruction sets can be stored and modified to allow for virtual experimentation. During the design process, the likelihood of failure is reduced. A custom design can be created digitally, tested, and refined as many times as necessary until the desired result is achieved. The final design can be saved and used to create a prototype or a production run, or it can be transmitted to another machine for further processing.
The increased use of intelligent machines will have an impact on the workforce as well. The demand for IT technicians to maintain CNC machines will increase in the future. The role of the manufacturing worker will change from one of machine operation to one of monitoring and interacting with the machine.
If we go by the axiom "fast-good-cheap – pick any two," the latest developments in CNC are unquestionably driving towards fast and good; while they are not inexpensive, they are within reach of shops of all shapes and sizes. Combining hardware innovation with workforce development and interconnectivity will result in a prosperous economic environment for manufacturing in the future, according to the World Economic Forum.