CNC Is Metalworking Tools That Operate Without Human Assistance Became Possible

Craftsmen tools have traditionally included the lathe, table saw and drill press. Efforts to automate the use of these tools became more prominent as the industrial revolution of the 1800s began to dramatically speed the manufacturing process. It wasn't until the invention of the computer, though, before computer numerical controlled -- or CNC -- metalworking tools that operate without human assistance became possible. Early History Work in the 1950s with early IBM computers showed that CNC machinery was feasible. The process was rudimentary, expensive and required large machines. However, it proved capable of precision manufacturing of complex objects and delivered the promise of something better. By the 1960s, the efforts had progressed to many industries, and programs created on paper rolls would tell machines what to do. Conversion to CNC Many machines that would be familiar to machinists of a much earlier era are now CNC-operated. These include lathes, milling machines, punches and brakes, and cutters. Newer tools include those that depend on lasers for their metalworking ability. Complex Motions A CNC operator programs into the computer the complex motions that a machine has to accomplish. These include moving the equipment up, down, left or right, and even at an angle for more sophisticated CNC modules. Multiple Machines CNC machines may be grouped into "cells" with multiple machines, each doing something different. This allows the manufacturing of a completed item without any human intervention at a much lower cost. An Example -- Kel-Tec CNC Industries An example of how industrial CNC machine tools are changing industry is Kel-Tec CNC Industries. Founded as a CNC machine company in 1991, in 1995 Kel-Tec became the first firearms manufacturer to use CNC equipment. The company's low-expense budget allowed it to price its guns inexpensively, and by the end of 2010, it was one of the top five firearms manufacturers in America. Source: ehow.com