Archive for December, 2008

What is a Lathe?

Monday, December 15th, 2008

A lathe is a machine tool that can be used to spin a block of hard material for reshaping. The objective here may be to cut the material, sand it, drill it or deform it. This can be done by applying several different tools to the work piece. After the lathe fulfills its use, a new object is formed, whether for commercial or industrial use. Lathes are used in such hobbies as woodturning, metalworking, metal spinning, and glass working. The newest trend for lathe production is in CNC (Computer Numeric Control). CNC lathes are units that can be controlled by computer. This allows the lathe to make a much more precise cut and in much more efficient time. This has helped industrial workers and crafters tremendously. Lathes can be used to shape pottery just as they can create ornamental three-dimensional works of complexity.

Popularity: 9% [?]

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Knee Mills Perform Specialized Milling Operations

Thursday, December 11th, 2008

Knee mills, also called knee and column mills, are milling machines that are used to shape metal and other solid materials. Knee mills operate with an x-y axis table that rides up and down on the column of a vertically adjustable knee. These machines are used for the precise cutting and shaping of materials and involve complex tasks such as planning, slot cutting, diesinking, rebating and routing. Most knee mills now function by a digital automation process called computer numerical control. This is where the milling machine is connected to a computer and the computer directs the milling operation with the precise coordinates for precise milling. These machines work with a rotating cutter which rotates on a spindle axis similar to a drill but involves cutting movements that are sideways and in and out. The movement of knee mills is precisely controlled to insure an accurate workpiece.

Popularity: 8% [?]

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Analyzing Desktop CNC Machines and Software

Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008

What is desktop CNC? This usually refers to milling machines that can be operated by Computer Numeric Control. The mills are controlled via CNC and move the spindle vertically along the Z-axis, though CNC can also operate horizontal mills or other manual machinery. Desktop CNC machines usually refer to smaller-size mills that can fit on a person’s desk, though the phrase might occasionally refer to Windows-based CNC software. While these machines were once very expensive, thanks to the drop in price of computers and free operating systems like Linux and open source CNC software, the prices of CNC lathes and mills have dropped in recent years. Some notable manufacturers that make lower priced desktop CNC models include Bridgeport, Sherline and Prazi. Some of the smaller models are even affordable to hobbyists. If you love designing and crafting special works or are starting a new industrial business a CNC machine can offer much assistance.

Popularity: 11% [?]

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