Machine tools, not to be confused with tools for a machine, are defined as a powered mechanical devise that has a power source other than through human movement. This simple definition is not very informative as many people still will want to know some of the major categories that encompass machine tools so they can get a better idea of what machine tools are and their evolution to today's manual and Computer Numerically Controlled machines (CNC machines). Not to overcomplicate a very complicated subject, it may be best to start out with a discussion of some of the different types of cutting tools used and how these tools have eventually had machine tools designed specifically to be able to use these tools. Looking at two very broad sections, one is best to think of these two key machining forms
It is best to begin with a look at some of the different types of cutting tools and how over the years machine tools have been designed specifically to be able to best use these types of tools. Two very broad groups of tools are
Cutting
Grinding
Working very similar to a knife, cutting tools have the ability to cut into the material and remove material much like peeling an apple. Cutting tools come in many different forms, but the most often used are Drills, End Mills,
Grinding Wheels Abrasive Cutoff Wheels Honing stones Deburring tools Sanders Etc.
In a totally different cutting fashion, grinding tools use a process much more like one would use to polish their fingernails with an emery board; grinding tools work on a process of abrasion. Abrasion removes small amounts of material at a time and tends to leave much smoother surfaces on the material machined. A variety of grinding tools are
CNC machines vary from their manual machine counterparts in that CNC machines will run independently with minimal human intervention once CNC programming has been completed and installed into the controller.
Milling/drilling/tapping machines, boring mills, and lathes make up the lion’s share of cutting tool machine tools. With the addition of sophisticated computer controllers, machine tools designed to operate as CNC machines vary from their manual counterparts by the fact that they can run independently without human intervention. These CNC machines require complicated programming to control the machines every move.
There is also a wide variety of styles of grinding machines. Many styles of grinding machines have CNC controllers as well. A cross-section of some grinding machine types would be Surface Grinders OD (outer-diameter) Grinders ID (internal-diameter) Grinders Thread Grinders Blanchard Grinders Honing Machines Jig Grinders. Grinding machine tools, using the principles of abrasion, are most often used to create high tolerance parts that are used as individual components or more often as a component part of an entire assembly.
The advent of CNC machines that control the machining processes through computer control, these machine tools have further enhanced the quality and exactness of the parts being produced. Capable of machining almost any material found in a solid form, these pieces of equipment are driving the global development of industry throughout the world.
It is best to begin with a look at some of the different types of cutting tools and how over the years machine tools have been designed specifically to be able to best use these types of tools. Two very broad groups of tools are
Cutting
Grinding
Working very similar to a knife, cutting tools have the ability to cut into the material and remove material much like peeling an apple. Cutting tools come in many different forms, but the most often used are Drills, End Mills,
Grinding Wheels Abrasive Cutoff Wheels Honing stones Deburring tools Sanders Etc.
In a totally different cutting fashion, grinding tools use a process much more like one would use to polish their fingernails with an emery board; grinding tools work on a process of abrasion. Abrasion removes small amounts of material at a time and tends to leave much smoother surfaces on the material machined. A variety of grinding tools are
CNC machines vary from their manual machine counterparts in that CNC machines will run independently with minimal human intervention once CNC programming has been completed and installed into the controller.
Milling/drilling/tapping machines, boring mills, and lathes make up the lion’s share of cutting tool machine tools. With the addition of sophisticated computer controllers, machine tools designed to operate as CNC machines vary from their manual counterparts by the fact that they can run independently without human intervention. These CNC machines require complicated programming to control the machines every move.
There is also a wide variety of styles of grinding machines. Many styles of grinding machines have CNC controllers as well. A cross-section of some grinding machine types would be Surface Grinders OD (outer-diameter) Grinders ID (internal-diameter) Grinders Thread Grinders Blanchard Grinders Honing Machines Jig Grinders. Grinding machine tools, using the principles of abrasion, are most often used to create high tolerance parts that are used as individual components or more often as a component part of an entire assembly.
The advent of CNC machines that control the machining processes through computer control, these machine tools have further enhanced the quality and exactness of the parts being produced. Capable of machining almost any material found in a solid form, these pieces of equipment are driving the global development of industry throughout the world.
About the Author:
Dudley Meredith is the owner of Victor Fortune, a Machine Tool Manufacturer located in Spartan, South Africa. For further informatiregarding regarding Machine Tools please visit our website.
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