NOVEMBER 20248MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY INSIGHTSComputerized Numerical Control (CNC) machining is used quite intensively for the manufacturing of parts in many sectors. In the development process of universal machines, Numerical Control (NC) machines were developed before switching to CNC machines. The working principle of the first used NC machines was in the form of reading a perforated paper by the machine. The programs were created at the desk and transferred to a strip; these strips were processed by the reader of the machine, allowing the part to be processed. After the manufacturing was finished, a new part was processed by rewinding the strip. With the rapid development of the computer and digital electronics industry, this technology made a place for CNC machines. CNC machines are commanded with the help of an integrated computer, allowing the production process to be faster, more productive, highly repeatable, and with the minimum level of human factors. The name CNC, which is commonly associated with machining benches, actually applies to all machines used in production.Thanks to the capabilities of CNC machines and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software, geometries that were previously considered impossible to manufacture are now produced with the simultaneous use of 3, 4, 5 or even more rotary or linear axes. CNC machines contain many sub-technologies to do complex work. Examples of these subsystems are cutting tools, coolants, optical rulers, linear guides, and ball screws.Various cutting tools are used in machining to achieve low surface roughness. This technology can be seen as the most dominant factor for the quality of bench technology. The dynamic characteristics of the tool/machine interaction (Cutting speed, depth, feed rates, cutting tool geometry) directly affect the machining quality. With the use of developing technology, such as innovative cutting tool materials and coatings, the quality of the cutting process has significantly increased. However, due to a major shift to composite and titanium materials in the aerospace industry, the tool longevity has drastically decreased while the processing times have increased. Special coatings such as aluminium titanium nitride (AlTiN) and titanium aluminium nitride (TiAlN) are being developed to increase tool life. High-feed tools with a high feed rate have been developed in order to remove large amounts of metal in rough operations so that it may reduce the processing time. In addition, lens tool and barrel tool geometries are developed for floor finish and wall finish operations, which has significantly improved the machining time by a factor of 4 to 5.High-quality alloys such as titanium and Inconel have superior properties and many applications in the industry. With the further development of machining tools, equipment and software technology, these materials are now shapeable by machining. The buy-to-flight ratio is very HERALDING A NEWERA IN MACHININGBy Prof. Dr. Fahrettin Ozturk, Deputy General Manager (Executive Vice President), Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc., Ankara, TürkiyeHigh-feed tools with a high feed rate have been developed in order to remove large amounts of metal in rough operations so that it may reduce the processing timeIN MY OPINION
< Page 7 | Page 9 >