By CIOinsider Team
 

Engineers have always delved into innovation and solutions to improve productivity and minimize machining and maintenance time. With the invention of CNC machining, manual tasks have got automated, and manufacturing time was significantly curtailed. However, CNC machining also needs refinements to maximize its efficiency and help businesses gain competitive leverage.

7 Tips to Enhance the Efficiency of CNC Machining

Some factors that affect the efficiency and processing speed of CNC machines are processing route settings, cutting tool choice, dimensional accuracy control, programming experience, cutting amount, etc.
Here are some tips to maximize the efficiency of CNC machining -

1. Tool Equipment Upgrades

With the ever-advancing technology, machinery and tools can become obsolete and lose efficiency due to regular wear and tear. It is advisable to upgrade to the latest equipment to stay at the highest levels of efficiency and greater convenience.

Equipment up-gradation is crucial for workshops to reduce processing time and perform task automation. However, frequent upgrading of equipment can get expensive for small businesses. Therefore, it is advisable to invest in small-scale CNC machining tools such as vertical milling machines to enhance productivity without denting your budget.

Devise necessary protocols for tool replacement to better define when and where to perform upgrades on existing machinery. You can also upgrade or retool some existing machines instead of having them replaced altogether.

2. Tool Selection and Installation

For CNC machining, the tool performs direct processing on the workpiece, and thus, you must ensure high machining accuracy and surface quality. This task can get accomplished by scrupulously selecting and installing the right tools.

Since workpiece processing is done in the CNC machining center and the tools are installed in the tool magazine, you cannot have them replaced on demand once the processing begins. Thus, you must select the tools that offer convenient installation and adjustment, high durability, good rigidity, and precision.

3. Get More from Your CNC Machines

Modern-day CNC machines are designed to deliver high-efficiency situations in minimal time, implying that they can operate for longer hours without breaks and at maximum loads.

Therefore, the equipment can stay in optimum shape despite you running it at maximum performance levels. This approach lets you minimize total machining time while enhancing productivity.

Do not be afraid to keep the CNC machines operational at max throughput. These machines can handle high-stress levels without showing signs of wear.

4. Meet CNC Machining Power Specifications

It is no surprise that CNC machinery draws enormous amounts of power when working on large-scale operations. However, several machinists underestimate the machine's power requirements, leading to complications and prolonged downtime. Your workshop dealing with a power outage caused due to an overload in demand is an extremely counter-productive situation.

You must maintain power supply needs and continue to audit requirements frequently. In some cases, it might also be necessary to scale up the power supply to meet the high-energy demands of the machine.

5. Picking the Right Cutting Amount

It is pivotal to choose an appropriate cutting amount, with one crucial parameter being the size of the main motion. Choosing the right size is essential since it drives the motion of the machine tool.

Size is an influential factor as it affects the machining efficiency, accuracy, and wear and tear of the workpiece. Choosing the right cutting amount involves cutting speed, feed amount, and back-cutting amount.

The primary selection criteria say that:

Opt for a larger cutting depth for roughing to minimize the total passes and boost workpiece productivity, provided that there is adequate rigidity.

Opt for a smaller cutting depth to improve the final surface quality if you prioritize finishing.

6. Multiple Operation Modes

CNC machines operate independently by adhering to strict parameters regulated by load cells and sensors. These machines rarely require a full-time attendant beside them, resulting in several opportunities for employees to perform parallel work.

You must devise multiple operation modes to ensure optimum utilization of each worker’s time. Provide all teams with a list of tasks to inform them what and when to prioritize other tasks.

You can also incorporate this into every employee's performance evaluation. For instance, team members that work extra hours must receive appropriate incentives.

7. Swift Management Solutions

Typical maintenance and upkeep procedures involve monitoring equipment manually and taking action upon encountering issues. This approach leads to a reactive process trigger, where the maintenance crew fixes machines only when a malfunction occurs. Substitute this practice with a better technique, which involves enforcing real-time and preventive maintenance procedures.

To execute this approach, opt for the latest data monitoring solutions, where team members work to ensure the longevity of the equipment and act swiftly upon evaluating factors, including system errors or a decline in performance.

Perform system monitoring using machine learning or AI to evaluate relevant incoming data and obtain insightful information. Therefore, the entire maintenance process can get automated, ensuring optimum efficiency and minimal labor involvement.

Final Words

Improving the efficiency of CNC machining involves embracing modern solutions. Invest in the latest machines to automate most processing tasks and dispose of human error by minimizing labor involvement.
Another solution is to follow preventive maintenance instead of reactive maintenance to ensure machine longevity and reduce downtime. Upon automating most manual jobs, you can delegate other relevant tasks to your workforce for better productivity.

About the Author:

Vincent Hua



Vincent Hua is the Marketing Manager at TSINFA. He is passionate about helping people understand high-end and complex manufacturing processes. Besides writing and contributing his insights, Vincent is very keen on technological innovation that helps build highly precise and stable CNC Machinery.