Overview: a history of CNC machinists
Computer numerically controlled (CNC) machines are used modern factories, machinist shops, and other mass production facilities and manufacturing plants the world over. Traditionally, a machinist are on hand in these spaces of production to maintain, program and operate the equipment being used. The CNC machinist is expected to be skilled in tasks of shaping, cutting, forming and polishing raw metal into usable tools and parts. Today however, thanks to technological advancement, the role that a CNC machinist plays is very different.
Whereas machinists were traditionally expected to mold and shape metal and build tools by hand, today they are instead expected to function as CNC machinists and manipulate software and monitor machines which in turn does the shaping and molding on their behalf. Due to these technological changes, the skills that a CNC machinist must have are very different. At the very least, they have had to expand and accommodate new skills that center on being able to use the requisite software and machinery to get the job done.
Other skills and responsibilities a CNC machinist may include:
• Providing expert opinion on new products, namely their efficiency
• Working with programmers and engineers to develop better, more efficient magazines
• Test prototypes of new machines to ensure function and accuracy
More: about CNC machinery and how it all works
CNC machinery and software go hand in hand. One simply cannot work efficiently without the other. As such a CNC machinist has to be familiar with developments and skills relating to both. CNC conversion kits use CNC technology to convert a product design (likely designed using Computer Aided Design — CAD — software) into numbers. The numbers function like coordinates used in a graph, and are often compared to the same. These numbers control the movement and direction of the cutting machine. The cutting machinery, under the direction of the software shapes and cuts the raw material (in much the same way a traditional machinist manually would), forming tools and products.
Purchasing a CNC conversion kit
Not everyone can purchase a CNC machine for their projects. This is due in large part to not having the funds, or even the physical space to accommodate that kind of professional equipment. It may also be as a result of both. In such instances, investing in a manual mill and then converting to CNC by way of a CNC conversion kit may just be the best solution. CNC convert kits are used to convert your manual machine to a CNC one. These kits come complete with parts that are added to the manual machine to help make you conversion possible. With these parts, you are able to create the CNC machine you desire.
In choosing to convert a manual mill to CNC, you are now open to a myriad of CNC conversion kits to choose from. Of course, not all kits are created equal. Before you purchase a CNC conversion kit, it is important that you know what to look for. It is important to compare them using a number of variables before settling on any one kit for use. Do your background checks, consider the reviews of other customers and compare the value for money you may be getting from one kit to the next. Doing this will help to ensure that in the final analysis, you choose a high quality kit from a reputable company that specializes in machining quality conversion parts for customers like you.
Leave a Reply