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Mechanical Engineering vocabulary · Manufacturing Processes

CNC

Meaning in mechanical engineering, with examples

/ˌsiː ɛn ˈsiː/abbreviationCore term

In mechanical engineering, CNC means: Short for computer numerical control: machine tools such as lathes, mills and routers whose movements are controlled by a program instead of by hand.

In Turkish: bilgisayarlı sayısal kontrol, CNC tezgahı

How it is used

Said letter by letter. Used before other nouns: CNC machine, CNC lathe, CNC machining, CNC operator. Programs are written in G-code and are often generated by CAM software from the CAD model.

Example sentences

  1. We can make these parts on our five-axis CNC machine in a single setup.

  2. The CNC program has to be updated after the drawing change.

Common collocations

  • CNC machine
  • CNC machining
  • CNC lathe
  • CNC program
  • five-axis CNC
  • machiningShaping a part by cutting away material with tools, for example by turning, milling, drilling or grinding, usually on a lathe or a CNC machine.
  • millingA machining process in which a rotating cutting tool with several teeth removes material from a workpiece to make flat surfaces, slots, pockets and complex shapes.
  • CADShort for computer-aided design: software used to create 3D models and 2D drawings of parts and assemblies, such as SolidWorks, CATIA, Siemens NX or AutoCAD.
  • drillingMaking round holes in a workpiece with a rotating cutting tool called a drill or drill bit, on a drill press, on a CNC machine or by hand.
  • surface finishHow smooth or rough a surface is after it has been made, usually given as a roughness value such as Ra 1.6 µm.

More terms: Manufacturing Processes

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