Must be an excellent craftsman
CNC machine tools integrate drilling, milling, reaming, tapping and other processes. The requirements for technical knowledge of craftsmen are very high. A CNC program is a process that uses computer language to embody machining technology. Craft is the foundation of programming. If you don’t understand the know-how, you will never be able to call yourself programming.
Indeed, when you choose the profession of mechanical cutter, it means that the beginning of your career is difficult and tough. Mechanical transformation engineers are experienced experts to some extent. You therefore have to spend time in workshops, lathes, milling machines, grinders, machining centers, etc. then in the office, compile the processes, estimate material consumption and calculate quotas.
Must be familiar with the performance of various machine tools and the skill level of workshop masters. This way, after 2-3 years of practice, you can become a skilled craftsman. Be sure to learn from open-minded master workers. Their decades of experience can save you many detours. These experiences cannot be learned from books. The choice of process is based on an overall consideration of the capabilities of the equipment and the technical capabilities of the personnel. Without the support and trust of employees, it is impossible to become an excellent craftsman. After such a long period of study and accumulation, you should reach the following technical levels and requirements:
1. Know the structure and process characteristics of drilling, milling, boring, grinding and planing machines.
2. Familiarize yourself with the properties of the materials being processed.
3. Strong basic knowledge of tool theory, proficiency in conventional use of cutting tools, etc.
4. Familiarize yourself with the company’s process specifications and guidelines, the general requirements that various processes can satisfy, and the process routes of conventional parts. Reasonable material consumption and quota of working hours, etc.
5. Collect a certain amount of information about cutting tools, machine tools and mechanical standards. In particular, you should be familiar with the tool systems used in CNC machine tools.
6. Become familiar with coolant selection and maintenance.
7. Have a common-sense understanding of relevant types of work. For example: foundry, electrical machining, heat treatment, etc.
8. Have a good lighting base.
9. Understand assembly and usage requirements for parts being processed.
10. Have a good foundation in measurement technology.
Proficient in CNC programming and computer software applications
There are only a few dozen programming instructions and different systems are similar. It usually takes 1-2 months to get used to it. Automatic programming software is a little more complicated and you have to learn how to model it. But for people with a good foundation in CAD, it is not difficult. Additionally, if you program manually, you also need to have a good foundation in analytical geometry! In practice, the criteria for a good program are:
1. Easy to understand and organized, everyone can understand the operator.
2. The fewer instructions in a program segment, the better, aiming to be simple, practical and reliable. From the point of view of understanding instructions from a programming perspective, I think the instructions are only G00 and G01, and the rest are auxiliary instructions, configured to facilitate programming.
3. Easy to adjust. When the machining accuracy of parts needs to be fine-tuned, it is best not to modify the program. For example, if the tool is worn and needs to be adjusted, simply change the length and radius in the tool offset table.
4. Easy to use. Programming should be based on the operating characteristics of the machine tool, conducive to observation, inspection, measurement, safety, etc. For example, if the same workpiece and processing content are processed separately on a vertical machining center and a horizontal machining center, the procedures will definitely be different. In machining, the simplest way is the best. Anyone with practical experience will probably agree with this!
Mastery of operating numerically controlled machine tools
This requires 1 to 2 years of learning. The operation depends on the hand feeling. Beginners know what to do, but their hands just don’t obey the instructions. In this process, you need to learn: system operation methods, fastener installation, part reference alignment, tool alignment, zero offset adjustment, length compensation adjustment tool, radius compensation, loading and unloading of the tool and tool holder, as well as the cutting edge of the tool. Grind and measure workpieces (be able to skillfully use calipers, micrometers, dial gauges, dial gauges, inner diameter lever gauges), etc. Those which best reflect the level of exploitation are: horizontal machining centers and large gantry machining centers (moving beam, upper beam).
The practice of the operation requires understanding! Generally speaking, the process from processing the first part to qualified processing precision requires CNC programming craftsmen to carry it out in person. If you are not proficient in using machine tools, you will not be able to pass this level.
Must have a good foundation in tooling, fixtures and measurement technology
Working devices and measuring technology play as important a role in the quality of workpiece processing as the precision of machine tools and are one of the symbols that reflect the level of craftsmen. The whole process system: the precision of the machine tool is guaranteed by the machine tool manufacturer, and the cutting tools and cutting parameters are provided by the tool manufacturer. Usually the problem is not serious. Only tools and accessories are specially designed by. Craftsmen for specific pieces. Most parts of CNC machine tools have a certain degree of difficulty, so unpredictable problems often arise.
When debugging, more than half of the reasons for the first part processing failure are due to unreasonable positioning, clamping points and clamping force of the fixture. The difficulty in analyzing the causes of impasses is that they can only be qualitative and difficult to quantify. If you have no experience designing fixtures and clamping parts, this will be difficult. To train in this area, it is recommended to consult senior technicians who manufacture precision coordinate boring machines. Accurate level measurement is one of the basic machining skills. You must be able to skillfully use vernier calipers, micrometer cards, dial indicators, dial indicators, inner diameter lever gauges, vernier calipers, etc. Sometimes, when processing parts, one cannot rely on a coordinate measuring machine. Must be measured manually.
Mastery of the maintenance of numerically controlled machine tools
To become familiar with CNC machine tools, you must:
1. Familiar with CNC electrical components and control principles. Can know the name and function of each component in the electrical box and understand electrical diagrams. The alarm content can be found according to the electrical alarm number.
2. Understand the structure and transmission principle of ball screw. Understand which factors have the greatest impact on machine tool accuracy.
3. Understand the structure of bearings at both ends of the machine tool screw and its impact on the precision of the machine tool.
4. Understand the lubrication system of the machine tool (bearings, spindles, different kinematic torques, reduction gears, etc.) and know the distribution of each lubrication point. The brand of machine tool lubricating oil and normal weekly or monthly oil consumption.
5. Understand the refrigeration system of machine tools: cutting cooling (water, gas), spindle cooling, electrical box cooling, etc.
6. Understand the main transmission structure of the machine tool and the specific characteristics of the data between the speed and torque of each machine tool.
7. Understand the characteristics of the machine tool guide rail: is it a linear rail or a slide, and what is its rigidity (load capacity)?
8. Ability to troubleshoot common operating faults (such as exceeding limits, incorrect tool number in tool magazine, etc.).
9. Master various precision indicators (static and dynamic) and detection methods of machine tools.
10. Familiarize yourself with the tool magazine mechanism and the principles of tool changing.
Without more than three years of training, it may be difficult to meet the requirements for the above.
Daguang focuses on providing solutions such as precision CNC machining services (3-axis, 4-axis, 5-axis machining), CNC milling, 3D printing and rapid prototyping services.
