DIGITAL FABRICATION (CNC CUTTING)

ØCNC cutting is one of the digital fabrication processes which subtractive processes that start with solid blocks, bars,
or rods of plastic, metal, or other materials that are shaped by removing material through cutting, boring, drilling, and
grinding.
Ø COMPONENTS OF CNC:
• First, the object’s program is inserted into the MCU of
the CNC.

Input Devices • In MCU all the data process takes place and according
to the program prepared, it prepares all the motion
commands and sends it to the driving system.
• The drive system works as the motion commands are
Display unit sent by MCU. The drive system controls the motion
MCU and velocity of the machine tool.

Data processing Control loop • The feedback system records the position and velocity
unit unit measurement of the machine tool and sends a
feedback signal to the MCU.

Position

velocity
• In MCU, the feedback signals are compared with the
reference signals and if there are errors, it corrects it
and sends new signals to the machine tool for the
Driving System Machine tool Feedback right operation to happen.
system • A display unit is used to see all the commands,
programs and other important data. It acts as the eye
of the machine.
Ø In digital fabrication processes, tools are driven by computer numerical control (CNC).
Following are the types of CNC machine:
1. Lathe CNC- removes excess material by fixed tool and spinning object.
2. Milling CNC - removes excess material by spinning tool and fixed object.
3. Drilling CNC - removes excess material by drilling object.
4. Grinding CNC - removes excess material by grinding object.
5. Laser cutting CNC - machine cut through materials, by using a laser.
6. Plasma cutting CNC - machine cut through materials, by using a plasma torch.
7. Electric discharge CNC - this machine uses electric sparks to manage materials to the desired shape.
8. 5-axis CNC - It has 3 axes (X, Y, and Z) and 2 additional axes are (A, B) specially for sculpture making.
9. CNC machine with automatic tool changes - machine changes the tool very quickly and easily handles
and change worn out or broken tools.
10. Router CNC - The CNC router machine is works likewise to the other CNC machines but provides
better surface finish in case of door carving, exterior decoration, wood panels,
signboards, wood frame molding, musical instruments, furniture, and more.
ØFeatures
Lower labour costs
since CNC machines are automatic, it doesn’t
require skilled labours for operations. A person with
a lower skill level can actually supervise several
machines at a time, further reduces a labour cost.
Increase productivity
CNC machines work on a regular schedules without
break which results in greater productivity.
Consistency
Since objects can be machined consecutively on a
CNC machine, there is minimum to zero waste
material.
1 Consistency
CNC machines are able to maintain a higher level of
manufacturing consistency than human operators.
This helps improve the quality of production and
2
reduce waste
3 Agility
CNC machines can accept design changes quickly
and easily, allowing the team to update design,
without the need to modify expensive tooling. This
4 allows the machine to switch rapidly from
manufacturing one product to another.
5 Adaptivity to complex designs
Machines are often the only way to accurately and
consistently move around compound curves (curves
in two different axis at the same time).
6 Even with these complex designs, CNC machines can
maintain tight tolerance and extreme consistency.
ØProcess
Develope a dimensional drawing

Determine machining method

create the program for making the
CNC machine requirements evaluation object to feed machine

Acquire materials and necessary tools

is any Y
fixture Design a fixture
needed? Load, set and secure tools and stock in
work machine
N
Determine tools and machining sequence Load the program into the CNC

is special Consider Run first object

Y
tooling special tooling
needed? needs Verify object and make any necessary
N adjustments
Go over the cutting plan
Make a product run
CNC machine with automatic tool changes machine
ALUMINIUM Doors and Windows processing chart
Aluminium profile cutting
drill hole for hardware
mullion profile cutting
corner cleaning
windows and doors frame
install sealing strips and hardware
1. For cutting the object profile double head cutting tool is used.
2. Drilling tool is used to make holes for hardware and handles.
3. Mullion is a member having V shape on the inner side which
seperating the glass and the aluminium panel in this case.
4. corner cleaning tool removes the tumor on the corner of object.
5. After the doors and windows framings are ready, glazing bead
cutting tool is used to cut the profile of glazing bead
6. Glazing bead are installed in case of door framing
7. And glazing bead and glass are installed to form a window
8. The final products are examined by the operator and sent to the
warehouses

Glazing
install glazing beads and glass bead
cutting
finshed products

Examination and packing

warehouse
UPVC Doors and Windows processing chart

frame profile cutting

install glazing beads and glass Glazing bead cutting

mullion profile cutting

finshed products
v profile cutting

drill hole for hardware Examination

insert and fix reinforcement steel Packing

corner welding warehouse

corner cleaning

windows and doors frame

install sealing strips and hardware