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The Mini CNC Machine
by Peter Vermeeren
Published on this site: January 5th, 2006 - See
more articles from this month
The mini CNC machine gives the manufacturer a way to reduce
cycle time. The mini CNC machine helps the manufacturer to
avoid a long void between the end of one operation and the
start of the next operation. The manufacturer who decides
to purchase a mini CNC machine has chosen to apply the principles
of cycle time to the area of production machinery.
The nature of the mini CNC machine creates three ways by which
miniaturization can pave the way for cycle time reduction.
This article will list three ways by which a manufacturer
can reduce cycle time. It will also provide details concerning
how the mini CNC machine permits the manufacturer to apply
the principles of cycle time reduction to the operation of the
mini CNC machine, and ultimately to the process of machine
production.
The effort to reduce the manufacturers cycle time begins with
an attempt to minimize the amount of time that operators spend
loading and unloading various materials. The operator of a
CNC machine will work more efficiently if he or she is able
to minimize the workplace loading and unloading. This minimization
is achieved through use of the mini CNC machine.
The operator of the mini CNC machine can save time by using
large bed sizes and a small footprint. The operator of a mini
CNC machine will save money by loading into the machine a
wide piece of material and then limiting each process (cutting,
engraving, routing, and drilling) to a small footprint.
The operator of a CNC-based piece of equipment can reduce
cycle time by reducing the tool maintenance time. Such a reduction
is made possible by the mini CNC machine. The small size of
the miniaturized machines facilitates the creation of multiple
design options. The large number of options leads to creation
of a generous number of spare parts. Meanwhile the surplus
of spare parts guarantees the ready replacement of any malfunctioning
parts.
The operator of a mini CNC machine also reduces cycle time
by decreasing the program execution time. The clamping of
small elements to the mini CNC machine and the automation
of the tiny machine parts leads to a lowering of operator
intervention. Whenever operators can afford to devote less
time to matching the quality of a previous result, then the
manufacturer saves money.
It thus becomes obvious that the characteristics of the mini
CNC machine guarantee the application by the operator of the
principles of cycle time. Three aspects of any CNC program
fall under the control of the product manufacturer.
- The time required for workplace equipment to accomplish
the loading and unloading of the material that requires
a transformation (a cutting, drilling, routing or engraving),
- The length of the program execution time,
- The length of the tool maintenance time.
The ability of a mini CNC machine to substantially alter
any of the above three aspects could lead to a reduction in
cycle time. A reduction in cycle time could improve performance
of the process machinery.
Peter Vermeeren is the owner and webmaster of:
http://www.machine-and-tool.com
http://www.airsoft-got.es
and http://www.kamikaze-portal.com
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