CNC

CNC machining is a major part of the operations here at Ryan Plastics. A cnc machinist of components and prototypes, Ryan Plastics is capable of producing cnc work to suit most requirements. Located in Northamptonshire, England, Ryan Plastics is a cnc machinist to the UK, internationally, and locally within the East Midlands and East Anglia regions.

CNC - what is it?

CNC stands for Computer Numeric Control, in the context of a machine shop this term applies to any machine that is controlled by a computer. The CNC computer that controls the cnc machine is generally a standard PC. It is the unique software and the control console that gives the cnc machine it's value as a tool. A CNC machine is well suited for jobs that require high levels of precision, parts with very complex shapes and repetitive jobs that require anywhere from a few to hundreds or more parts be made identical. At Ryan Plastics our primary CNC application is creating complex parts that either cannot be done conventionally or can be made better and faster using CNC technology.

CNC - How is it done? Creating The Drawing:

Usually the first step is to create a drawing of the part to be cnc machined. Depending on the complexity of the part the drawing created can be either a 2D drawing or a 3D Computer Model.

CNC - Creating the Code:

After the part drawing is created the next step is to create the code that the CNC machine understands. Typically this a series of command and XYZ coordinates written in a programming language. In most cases we can utilize CAM (Computer Aided Machining) software to assist us in writing the G Code file.

CNC Text Editor

After the CAM software has done it's part it is time to load the created code into a text editor and refine the CNC code to for our purposes. At this point the CNC programmer specifies tool sizes, feed rates, depths of cuts and adds G Codes specific to our cnc controller and CNC machine as well as optimizes the code using subroutines and subprograms.

Running The CNC Program:

Once the CNC code has been written it is loaded into the controller via the in-house network. At R&D Technical Services our shop and office computers are networked to allow us to edit files from any computer in the shop or office. Once the program (code) is loaded into the controller the operator will run the program on the screen in "draw" mode to visually check to see that there are no problems with the program. After running the cnc program the cnc operator will normally run the program on the machine with the work piece safely below the tool by an inch or so. The trial run is referred to in the shop as "cutting air" and is intended as one last trial run before actually cutting material. During the cutting air run the cnc operator pays special attention to travel speeds, spindle speeds, spindle on/off commands, tool change positions, etc. This is a critical check as it only takes one mistake to scrap a part, a cutter or worse damage the cnc machine. For example one rapid move at 100+"/min that should have been a feed move at 10"/min will break a cutter and possibly scrap a part.

One all the checks are completed and the material is in the cnc machine the cnc program is run and if everything was done correctly the cnc operator will be rewarded with a perfect part every time.

If you require any more information contact us on 01604 811395. Our address is 78 High Street, Earls Barton, Northamptonshire, England, UK, NN6 0JG.