Evolution Of Lathe And CNC Cutting Machine2020-09-07

The invention and implementation of the CNC machine in the industry can be considered the evolution of various tools that were created, including, in a time prior to the Industrial Revolution. New technologies, scientific advances and innovations have allowed more and more new and innovative development to be realized in the industrial world. Such developments include specific machines for specific functions, which perform jobs much more efficiently and, with finishes and an increasingly precise and neat level of detail.  

The CNC cutting machine dates back to the 850 BC when it was used to perform different tasks in the Egyptian civilization. The revolving movements you make allow you to machine, cut, crack, trapeze, and groove parts geometrically. Due to its practicality and since the time of the Industrial Revolution, it has become a basic machine in the industrial machining process.

It is understood that "machining" is a manufacturing process, which comprises a bunch of operations related to the shaping of various pieces by removing material. This is done by abrasion or chip removal.

Basically, this cutting tool is mounted on a carriage, which moves on rails or guides that are located parallel to the axis of rotation of the object to be turned (this is the X axis). On top of this carriage, there is another incorporated one that moves on the other axis, the Y. Its movement is radial to the piece being turned and some include a third carriage that allows depth displacements. This is a very brief and general description, in which we can categorize different types of machines that work under this main modality and the technological advances that they incorporate. Among the main types of lathes used today, we have:

Parallel (or mechanical) lathe: it is the closest to the original invention of lathes and the best known on the market until a few years ago. It became one of the most important machines and tools in the industrial world, however, technological advances and new tools have relegated their function to secondary or very specific jobs. Their work has been replaced by other types of newer lathes.

Copying lathe: operates with a hydraulic and electronic device that allows you to turn parts following the profile of a template or mold. It is extremely useful for mass production of parts that are not oversized.

Revolver lathe: its purpose is to reduce machining time. This type of lathe allows several tools to be applied simultaneously to the part to be turned. It also allows drilling, boring, threading or reaming the inner part while at the same time turning, facing, grooving, threading or cutting with external turning tools.

Automatic lathe: refers to all lathes whose machining process is one hundred percent automated. They are usually used for large production series as it involves a high investment and intensive assembly work.

Vertical lathe: it is designed to work large parts. The pieces are attached to a vertical plate and there they are fixed to be able to turn them.

CNC lathe: Finally, we get to the latest evolution of the lathe, with a Computerized Numerical Control system. This type of CNC cutting machine offers greater production capacity and precision in the machining of the parts it works with. Built-in programming saves invaluable time and avoids investing in third-party equipment or human effort to make it work.  

This lathe operates on the Cartesian X, Y and Z axes. It is widely used in modern industry to produce large quantities of product with greater precision in less time. It is important to note that its characteristic of a CNC machine allows it to carry out all the jobs that other types of lathes do individually, that is, it works in the same way as parallel, copying, revolving, automatic and even vertical lathes. It is highly recommended machinery for those who need to speed up or increase the machining process of different parts, regardless of their dimensions.  

The main architecture of a CNC lathe generally includes:

· Motor and main head.

· Bench and movable carriages.

· Carriage positioning adjustment system.

· Accessories and peripherals.

Necessary accessories that every CNC cutting machine requires: UPC (Central Processing Unit), dynamic solid and trajectory graphics, profile editor, input peripherals and output peripherals.

CNC technology offers a variety of advantages over conventional machinery. They include;

· Greater precision in the machining process.

· Much more complex parts can be machined.

· Works in series with more speed than other types of lathe.

· Reduces operating errors to almost zero.

· It is a technology that over time has become more accessible and economical.

· Reduces the time of the machining process.