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Using your CNC machine effectively comes down to understanding its operation and getting any hindrances out of the way. With the mindset of constantly seeking better ways to solve problems, your CNC machine will be as effective as possible.

The use of honeycomb construction design has been in place for thousands of years, and continues to find new uses into the modern world. Through honeycomb construction design, you can produce a low-density and high-strength material for a variety of applications. The honeycomb derives its name from the hexagonal shape with which the walls of beehives are constructed, and has been used in different types of construction with increasing frequency over the past century.

The use of aluminum in autos manufacturing is set to increase significantly in the future. In general, the primary metal used in the fabrication of vehicle components is steel. This has been attributed to the strength, durability and low-cost nature of the material. However, the recent advances in research in the auto industry have elevated aluminum as the next game changer. While the idea of using aluminum in autos is not new, there is a better understanding of the potential benefits that can be reaped from the extensive use of this material.

One of the primary advantages of using CNC machines in manufacturing and production is the ability to link computer aided design software to the machining equipment. This property makes it possible to produce highly accurate product prototypes that can conform to the design specifications. However, the process by which the design is translated into a real machined product is not simple.

Before computer controlled machines, routers were operated exclusively by hand. Today, routers have evolved for cutting metals, plastics, molds, and much more. Modern CNC machines take advantage of advanced software to create geometric patterns via computer and then output those patterns to a router for completion.

Plastics have become ubiquitous in nearly every industry, in part due to the impact of the thermoforming plastic machining process. Thermoforming involves the use of heat and pressure to create new products.

Since the industrial revolution, modern life has depended on advanced machinery to manufacture everything from textiles to steel. The advent of computer numerical control (CNC) machines revolutionized the manufacturing industry by allowing for a programmable design of virtually limitless types of shapes.

Demands for airframe and exterior resiliency without sacrificing weight and fuel savings remains the holy grail of aviation. While many materials have been tried throughout the 20th Century to achieve this balance, their use is regulated by aerospace machining provider’s ability to produce them.

If you’re a manufacturer of, well, just about anything for aerospace, you know the importance of precision and repeatability. Few industries are subject to stricter regulations or higher expectations. As such, manufacturing any aerospace part or component, no matter how large or small, can present significant challenges.

Symmetrix is one of the world’s leading composite tooling shops. Using CNC machining, the company turns their clients’ 3D computer design files into fully-machined surfaces, molds, and other precision products. Based in Bristol, Rhode Island, they are known across the globe for the high quality, high precision work they deliver. With the recent addition of a massive, custom CNC machining center from CMS North America, Symmetrix is able to provide their clients with greater precision and accuracy than ever before.

Lockheed Space Systems – Denver, Colorado facilities include their CDS, or Composite Development Shop where composite structures for a variety of space applications are designed, machined and assembled. Between 2012 and 1013, Lockheed contracted CMS Industries /CMS North America to design and build two Poseidon machines that were subsequently supplied and installed.

Watch the video below demonstrating how CNC Machining molds, models and prototypes.

Watch how our machines can be applied to aerospace manufacturing in the video below.

Airplanes are usually constructed from aluminum and composite parts. For manufacturers like Boeing, equipment that is ideally suited for machining aluminum and composite materials is essential. At CMS, we have developed state-of-the-art technology specifically for the advanced materials that Boeing uses to build aircraft.

CMS North America is proud to be partnering with Alfa Romeo for their newest project, the Alfa Romeo 4C. The New York Times recently took notice of Alfa Romeo’s newest offering and offered up this video review.

Legendary Italian automaker Alfa Romeo designed their new 4C sports car to be their “reintroduction” to the American market. This high-performance two-seater was engineered to put the best driving technology available into the most visually striking package possible. To achieve this lofty goal, Alfa Romeo teamed with CMS and other innovative European companies.

In preparation for the 33rd America’s Cup in 2010, Oracle Racing utilized CMS’ advanced CNC machining technology to manufacture composite material parts for the AC45-class trimaran yacht, the USA 17. CMS is proud to have been an official supplier for what would prove to be the Cup-winning boat, as Team Oracle defeated the defending Swiss team, Alinghi, 2-0.

CMS North America and CMS Industries is proud to be your leading technology partner when it comes to CNC machining solutions.

There are many kinds of encoders and feedback devices. There are resolvers, encoders, glass scales, interferometer scales, inductive scales, capacitive scales, pulse coders, rotary-linear encoders, and even mechanical-hydraulic encoders. There are temperature specific scales and zero temperature scales. Each type of scale has its specific application and price. Also any type of scale can only perform at its best if installed, adjusted and maintained correctly.

We all know that temperature affects materials but how does that ultimately affect our parts? On the surface it would appear a simple task to compensate for. All we should have to do is take the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), look at a thermometer and psyfer up the solution. Well, it doesn’t quite work out to be that simple.

As mechanics, technicians, metrologists and calibrationistas, we have the opportunity to work with many tools and different types of equipment. Between CMS North America and CMS SpA, we have spent over $1M on equipment to calibrate and evaluate our machines.

This month we will discuss squaring a machine tool. There are many trains of thought in the machine metrology world on the best way to measure and square a machine. By squaring a machine we mean to verify the X, Y, and Z axis are traveling at 90 degrees to each other.

You know, when I started researching this article I really thought it was going to be an in depth intellectual undertaking. In reality, it’s much more like trying to roll a square wheel!

CMS North America’s Quality Assurance and Calibration expert, Marty Sutten, helps prepare you for a discussion on Metrology by discussing the tools, terms, and essential concepts in this month’s CMS North America blog …

People don’t often think of the role that automated manufacturing plays in their lives. However, automated manufacturing is now common in nearly every industry – especially the automotive industry. CNC machining is responsible today for nearly every step of the car manufacturing process.