With CNC Machines that are highly precise and power, and with 3D modeling more accurate than ever before there is a lot of misconceptions about how “easy” CNC machining is to do right.
Misconception 1 – “Load and Go”
A common misconception with CNC machines is that it’s a “Load and Go” type of environment. You go into a meeting for scheduling and you hear, “You just load the dxf and hit go, right?” Just about every machinist has heard that statement. This is one of the biggest misconceptions with CNC Machining as there are extensive programming and setups involved with CNC machining. At Platform Aerospace, we work closely with our management and engineers so that everyone understand the processes involved in programming and setting up a CNC Machine. This allows us to fully understand the scheduling and requirements for the machining department to ensure we meet all customer due dates.
Misconception 2 – “If its modeled, the machine can make it”
Another common misconception with CNC machines is that if the 3D model can do it, the machines can do it. An example of this would be a feature such as a sharp radius that may be difficult or impossible to reach in a CNC machine and can increase your machine time by 3x in order to accomplish. On several occasions when we have come up against a difficult part to make, we have come up with an alternative way to manufacture it which made the part even stronger and was much faster to produce. Yes, sometimes this is a requirement for hardware however with a healthy collaboration between engineers and machinist, often a more robust alternative can be explored that allows the machine to function. At Platform Aerospace, we try to help engineers and designers learn about the machines to ensure they know the capabilities of our machines and standard practices with machining. Often, we will have a design review so that we can proof a model before sending it out to the shop to be machined.
Misconception 3 – “We don’t need to buy that tool, we already have some”
Staying up to date with technology and thinking outside the box is something that should be instilled in a machine shop. The mindset “Sure I can use this same tool I’ve been using for years, it has to be run slow but it runs good” can be a killer in the shop. One example would be when we had a large part to machine that needed 4 setups to complete when using the tools we already had in our shop. Because of the long setups, it took almost two weeks to produce one complete part. Completing a part in the most efficient amount of time is our goal at Platform Aerospace. Our resolution to this issue was to purchase a specialty 90 degree milling tool that would take us from 4 setups down to 2. Cutting our setup time in half. This allowed us to produce a finish product in 3 days earlier
Here at Platform Aerospace our shop houses some of the most cutting edge fabrication equipment including, (3) 3/5-Axis CNC Machining Centers with capacities as large as 84” x 40”, Live Tool CNC Lathe, Tilting Axis CNC Waterjet, Precision Cut Saws, Large Cross Draft Paint Booth, electrical cable harness building equipment, carbon fiber part kits, and an extensive assortment of precision tools to get the job done right. Learn more at https://platformaerospace.com/parts-manufacturing.
