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Written by: Super User

Category: Information, Articles or Engineering Fact

Published: 18 August 2015

What is a CNC machine.

The abbreviation CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control.

In Engineering Manufacture the process called CNC involves the use of computers/programs to control the machine tool cutter. Machine's that are controlled by this method include lathes, mills, routers and grinders machines.

To create the CNC code a computer converts the 3D design produced by Computer Aided Design software (CAD), into numbers or rather coordinates for the path direction + or - of the X, Y & Z axises & they control the movement of the cutters path.

A CNC turning centre which is also Numerical control (NC) is the automation of that operation of the machine tools is by precisely programmed commands as opposed to controlled manually via levers, hand wheels, or mechanically automated via cams.