Designing a new part is one thing. Manufacturing it is a different story.
Talk with any customer of a CNC machine shop and you’ll likely hear an example of a part design being altered, refined, and/or improved thanks to CNC precision engineering. Of all the CNC engineering services provided by a shop, having an influence on the design itself may not be what you think of first.
When you think of CNC machining, you may think about precision machining. Complex parts. Repeatability. Speed.
However, do you think of engineering expertise?
You should! An incredible value in partnering with the right CNC machine shop is engineering that drives the entire manufacturing process. From design through packaging, you should be receiving full CNC engineering services and benefitting from them.
A strong engineering team on the machine shop side ensures that CNC machining projects are done right — the first time and every time. Of course, thorough engineering impresses customers. More importantly, though, it leads to parts that consistently meet or exceed specifications.
The manufacturing world can be tricky. An experienced CNC machine shop may plan a project that seems flawless on paper, taking into account all the subtleties that streamline a process. Yet, when the plan becomes reality, and the process starts flowing, it may fall short of the projected production or profitability targets.
How can value engineering and/or value analysis solve a challenge like this?
Here’s a real-world example from Stecker Machine. A high-end part that required extreme precision — and also speciality tooling — was not hitting cycle time goals. One step in the process involved pressure testing the part after machining; so, taking the part to the assembly and pressure area (and back again after testing).
As its name clearly states, CNC (computer numerical control) is automated control of machining tools using a computer. Yet, that doesn’t just happen; it requires the right coded programmed instruction.
So, what is G-code? What is M-code? And how do G-code and M-code programming actually work? This article explains each one, but first let’s touch on what programming actually is.
There’s no arguing: CNC machines are incredibly accurate. Their ability to precision cut ¼ the width of a human hair (0.001”), makes them essential in any modern machine shop.
No one appreciates having “the right tool for the job” more than CNC machine operators. Yet, in order for any tool to do its job properly, the right CNC fixture (also called a CNC workholding fixture) has to secure and stabilize whatever piece is being worked on during CNC machining.
Fixturing is complex and can be quite challenging. Engineers who love tough tasks embrace the challenge, knowing how important fixturing is in CNC machining. In addition to expert engineering, making reliable CNC fixtures also requires some science, a bit of art, and solid teamwork.
Stecker Machine designs CNC fixtures following a process developed from decades of experience incorporating critical attention to detail. Our CNC fixture engineering process goes beyond designing with CAD tools like Solidworks, ProEngineer, or AutoCAD.
