Machining In The Auto Industry

Within the automotive industry, there are a number of machining needs. Certainly, this is not really required for the automotive body parts, but it is certainly essential for a number of other critical components like engine blocks and gear boxes. In order to finish these components after they have been cast, machining operations are needed, which means that a number of CNC machining can be very helpful.

Auto Industry Machining:

One of the most important aspects to conducting machining in the auto industry is the type of alloys used. In many cases, this is done by a process known as chip removal. This is characterized by the use of a cutting tool that allows a part to be cut into specific dimensions and also to give the surface a finish within a range of given tolerance values.

Most of the time, these machined parts are composed of an aluminum-silicon alloy. Although this does certainly have a bit of an abrasive effect on the machine and tool, it still has a good level of machinability.

CNC Machining Centers:

These types of machines are very commonly used within the automotive industry. They are 3-5 axis machining center machines used to cut metal in a very precise and accurate manner. It is actually quite a versatile tool since it may also be used in process from milling to drilling and even grinding, as needed. These machines are also quite famous for their cutting ability, making them very useful in the manufacturing and fabrication process.

CNC EDM Machine:

Using CNC machining centers actually makes the mass production of vehicles much more efficient. Some have even compared this machine as the equivalent of Henry Ford’s mechanical tools when he first introduced mass production models for the Model T. Since these EDM machines are actually controlled by computers they are able to be programmed, making them better adapted for wide-scale production than those which use conventional processes.

A CNC toolroom machine works by the production and generation of heat. Beams of heat, or really light, are sent at varying intensities to cut metal surfaces. The surfaces are obviously fed and fabricated by the machine itself. Of course, these machines are also able to produce very precise dimensions and accurate measurements in order to suit the requirements needed by the auto industry.

Advanced Technology Use:

In the auto industry one of the most important things is to be able to develop new tools that can increase spindle speeds. This helps to reduce the amount of down time and save money. There are a number of companies already engaged in the process of machining in the auto industry. The hope is that continued development and advancement of the tools and machines used will continue to bring perfect parts and new designs to the market faster. At the same time, this should also save costs and even increase reliability.

Another new trend in the automotive industry is something called build to print tooling. This basically means that a manufacturer may need a special tool or part built. In such a case, they can make an order and that tool shop is able to produce something to their exact specifications and needs. Think of this as the ultimate custom order. This is entirely due to the advancements in technologies today, making it quite possible to fabricate geometrically complex tools within very exacting standards and tolerances.