Composition of CNC Machine Tools
● Machine Body
The machine body is the main part of the CNC machine tool, including mechanical components such as the machine frame, column, spindle, and feed mechanisms. It is used to complete various cutting processes.
● Numerical Control Unit
The numerical control unit is the core of the CNC machine tool, including hardware (printed circuit boards, CRT monitors, keypads, paper tape readers, etc.) and corresponding software. It is used to input digital part programs and complete the storage of input information, data transformation, interpolation calculations, and the implementation of various control functions.
● Drive Unit
The drive unit is the driving component of the CNC machine tool's executive mechanism, including spindle drive units, feed units, spindle motors, and feed motors. Under the control of the numerical control unit, it achieves spindle and feed drives through electrical or electro-hydraulic servo systems. When multiple feeds are linked, it can complete the processing of positioning, straight lines, plane curves, and spatial curves.
● Auxiliary Devices
Auxiliary devices refer to some necessary supporting components of the CNC machine tool to ensure its operation, such as cooling, chip removal, lubrication, lighting, and monitoring. They include hydraulic and pneumatic devices, chip removal devices, worktable exchange mechanisms, CNC rotary tables, and CNC dividing heads, as well as tooling and monitoring and testing devices.
● Programming and Other Peripheral Equipment
Used for programming and storing part programs outside the machine. Since the Massachusetts Institute of Technology developed the world's first CNC machine tool in 1952, CNC machine tools have been widely used in the manufacturing industry, especially in the automotive, aerospace, and military industries. Numerical control technology has seen rapid development in both hardware and software.
What's more impressive is the Machining Center
A machining center is a highly automated multifunctional CNC machine tool equipped with a tool magazine and automatic tool changer. After a workpiece is clamped once on the machining center, it can complete the processing of multiple surfaces and various processes, and has multiple tool changing or selection functions, thereby greatly improving production efficiency.
Machining centers are divided into boring and milling types and turning types according to their processing processes, and can be classified into three-axis, four-axis, and five-axis machining centers based on the number of controlled axes.
