Can't Find A Specific Part Or Tool? CNC Manufacturing Can Change That
Posted on: 14 October 2019
There is nothing more frustrating than going to complete a task and realising that you either lost the part you need or never had it in the first place. If this is a rare part then it can be extremely hard to find it again and this can result in high costs to replace it or a long wait period. What you may not have considered is actually having the piece remade by a skilled professional. You might be hesitant, because how could someone hand make an extremely fine piece of material? Yet with CNC manufacturing, it is all automated, so you get a perfect result every time.
What Is CNC Manufacturing?
CNC manufacturing is a form of subtractive production where a raw piece of material is transformed into a highly specific item with extreme precision. The CNC in CNC manufacturing stands for computer numerical control and explains how these machines are able to have such good accuracy: there are no humans involved. You simply enter in a predetermined schematic into the CNC machine, submit the correct type of material for your job and sit back while it is made.
So It's Like 3D Printing?
CNC manufacturing is similar to 3D printing in that they both create unique items through the use of a computer that constructs it out of raw material. However, there are a few core differences:
- CNC manufacturing starts with a block of raw material and refines it down into the correct piece. 3D printers start with nothing and create items through the use of plastic injections and moulding.
- CNC manufacturing can make items out of a multitude of heavy-duty materials such as aluminium, stainless steel, timber and strong plastic. 3D printing can't utilise those materials and most printers use very simple plastics that are far less durable.
How Much Does It Cost?
CNC manufacturing is such a great service because it is much cheaper than getting your item hand made and you can even create a few backups for less money than it would otherwise cost you. The bigger your order the larger the discount you will get so be prepared to pay a little extra for a smaller order due to the cost of calibrating the machine for just a few items. In general, you are looking at paying for the labour and the cost of the machine which can be as little as a hundred or so dollars for an item and less for subsequent ones.
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