Numerical control (NC) technology refers to the use of digital instructions consisting of numbers, text, and symbols to control the motion of one or more mechanical devices. NC generally uses general-purpose or dedicated computers to implement digital program control, hence the name Computerized Numerical Control (CNC). It is generally referred to as CNC abroad, with the term NC rarely used anymore. It typically controls mechanical quantities such as position, angle, and speed, as well as switching quantities related to the flow of mechanical energy. The emergence of NC relies on the advent of data carriers and binary data operations. In 1908, perforated metal sheets, interchangeable data carriers, became available. At the end of the 19th century, control systems using paper as a data carrier and with auxiliary functions were invented. In 1938, Shannon demonstrated rapid data computation and transmission at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, laying the foundation for modern computers, including computer numerical control systems. NC technology has developed in close conjunction with machine tool control. The introduction of the first CNC machine tool in 1952 marked a landmark event in the history of the global machinery industry, propelling the development of automation.
CNC technology, also known as computerized numerical control (CNC), utilizes computers to implement digital program control. This technology uses computers to execute logic functions for the movement trajectory of equipment and the operation of peripheral devices according to pre-stored control programs. By replacing CNC devices with hardware logic circuits, various control functions, such as the storage, processing, calculation, and logical judgment of input operation instructions, can now be performed by computer software. The resulting micro-instructions are transmitted to servo drives, driving motors or hydraulic actuators to drive the equipment.
Traditional machining processes rely on manual operation of ordinary machine tools. Metal cutting is done by hand, and the product's precision is measured visually using tools such as calipers. Modern industry has long relied on digitally controlled machine tools. CNC machines can automatically process any product or component according to pre-programmed programs by technicians. This is what we call CNC machining. CNC machining is widely used in all areas of mechanical processing and is a development trend and essential technical tool in mold processing.
CNC lathes, also known as CNC lathes (computer numerically controlled lathes), are the most widely used and widely used type of CNC machine tool in China, accounting for approximately 25% of all CNC machine tools. CNC machine tools are mechatronic products that integrate multiple technologies, including mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, microelectronic, and information technologies. They are machine tools in mechanical manufacturing equipment, offering advantages such as high precision, high efficiency, high automation, and high flexibility. The technical level of CNC machine tools and their percentage in metal cutting machine tool production and ownership are important indicators of a country's national economic development and overall industrial manufacturing level. CNC lathes, as one of the main types of CNC machine tools, occupy a very important position among CNC machine tools. For decades, they have been widely recognized and rapidly developed worldwide. Since its advent in the 1950s, CNC lathes have been used to process complex parts in single-piece and small-batch production, not only improving productivity and quality, but also shortening production preparation cycles and lowering worker proficiency requirements. Therefore, they have become a key development direction for technological innovation and revolution in single-piece and small-batch production. Countries around the world are vigorously developing this new technology.
We know that for large-scale production of parts, automated and semi-automated lathes have already achieved automation of the production process. However, automation of single-piece and small-batch parts has been a challenge, and for a long time, it has remained unsatisfactory. In particular, the process of machining complex parts requiring high precision has been stagnant. Although some applications of profiling devices have partially addressed this issue, practice has proven that profiling lathes cannot completely solve this problem.
The emergence of CNC lathes (machine tools) has opened up a broad path to fundamentally address this problem, making them a key development direction in machining.