Making It Count

With Unit Cost Per Price Of Machined Component In Focus, CNC Machines Have Grown In Importance, Especially Given The Degree Of Speed, Precision And Quality They Bring.
 

- Mitalee Kurdekar

COMPUTER NUMERIC CONTROL (CNC) machines are the most useful amalgamation of well-developed mechanical engineering and a sophisticated software programme to produce results on metal working jobs that would have otherwise taken a great deal of time, sometimes even compromising on the precision and quality of the work piece. Consistency of results in terms of time, precision and quality are the hallmark of CNC machining. Hence, in modern times, where there is so much focus on large-scale manufacturing, productivity, quality and reliability, there is an increased dependence on CNC machining. Technological advances of recent times, such as in tool design, tool control and monitoring control systems, have only aided to make CNC machining not only a useful, but increasingly popular, methodology for metal working. Availability of the right type of lubricants have further helped in making CNC machines durable, whether it is the metalworking fluid for better machine tool performance or the internal lubricant for smooth running of the machine.

THE INDIAN SCENARIO

Traditionally, the Indian market for machine tools and sophisticated machines was largely import dependent, particularly for advanced technology products. While there are many manufacturing units operating in the Indian market for various types of metalworking jobs, there are few which are specialised in particular type of jobs like grinding, turning, milling, etc. Hence, for more complex activities with multiple axis, one used to depend on imports. The scene is now changing rapidly with a renewed focus on the manufacturing sector in general, and particularly in technology-hungry industries like automotive and aerospace, which are driving the demand for CNC machining requirements.