Equipped with software and automation at different levels of complexity, they can significantly improve a company's productivity and product quality. But how do you choose the right CNC machine? What factors should be considered? In this article, you will discover the main elements to consider when choosing the right CNC machine for your production needs.
Each type of CNC machine, such as CNC milling machine, CNC router, CNC grinding machine, or waterjet machine (just to name the main ones) offers unique capabilities suited to different manufacturing requirements, materials, and precision levels. Choosing the right type of CNC machine depends on factors such as the specific machining tasks, production volume, material properties, and desired output quality. Let’s consider the following key factors.
1. Factory requirements
Among the requirements to consider, we can include the production volume (it’s important to assess the expected production volume and choose a machine that can handle the workload and consider machines with automation features for high-volume production). Furthermore, we need to consider the machine size and work area, evaluating the maximum size of the parts you need to machine and ensuring the CNC machine has a sufficient work envelope and table size to accommodate your largest parts. We need also to consider the integration with existing systems, checking compatibility with your existing CAD/CAM software and other manufacturing systems, and ensuring the machine can be integrated into your current workflow without significant disruptions.
2. Optimize machine cost
It’s important to choose a CNC machine that aligns with your production volume and speed requirements to guarantee production efficiency. Before choosing the CNC machine, evaluate the upfront cost of the CNC machine and compare it with your budget constraints, look beyond the initial purchase price and consider factors such as maintenance costs, energy consumption, tooling expenses, and operational efficiency over the machine's lifespan, finally select a machine that offers the best value for money based on its capabilities and features. If you evaluate these factors, you can optimize the cost-effectiveness of your CNC machine investment while ensuring it meets your operational requirements and long-term business goals.
3. Confirm spare parts availability
Confirming spare parts availability is essential to ensure operational continuity and minimize disruptions in CNC machining operations. It’s prudent to thoroughly assess this aspect alongside other factors when making your decision and choosing the cnc machine. Availability of spare parts ensures that in case of breakdowns or wear and tear, you can quickly replace components and minimize production downtime.
4. Plan machine placement
Planning machine placement is an important consideration when choosing the best CNC machine for your operations. Here are several factors to keep in mind: space requirements, workflow optimization (the position machine should minimize material handling and promote efficient workflow from raw material input to finished product output), ergonomics and safety, environmental considerations (temperature, humidity, and ventilation, noise and vibration), accessibility for maintenance and for material handling (the machine position should facilitate efficient material handling processes and reduce manual handling efforts).
5. Confirm power requirements
When choosing the right machine, it is crucial to determine the power requirements of the CNC machine and ensure the designated location has adequate electrical supply and access to other utilities such as compressed air or coolant systems, if required. Moreover, ensure the electrical supply provides stable power with minimal fluctuations and depending on your operational needs and location, consider backup power solutions such as uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) or generators to prevent downtime during power outages.
6. Machine tooling
Machine tooling is a critical consideration when selecting a CNC machine, as it directly impacts the capabilities and versatility of the machine. Specifically, different machines may require specific types of tool holders, collets, and cutting tools and you need to ensure that the CNC machine is compatible with the type of tooling you intend to use and supports tool life monitoring and management.
7. Install a reliable air supply
By installing a reliable air supply system tailored to the CNC machine's requirements and ensuring proper maintenance, you can enhance operational efficiency, prolong equipment lifespan, and minimize downtime due to air-related issues. Before doing this, determine the specific air pressure and volume required by the CNC machine, then choose an appropriate air compressor based on the CNC machine's requirements, considering factors such as compressor capacity (cubic feet per minute, CFM), pressure rating (psi), duty cycle, and power supply (electric or diesel). Evaluate air quality, air pressure regulation, noise, and vibration; implement backup systems or redundant compressors to ensure continuous air supply in case of compressor failure or maintenance downtime and follow safety guidelines and regulations related to compressed air systems.
8. Define the materials being machined
We need to consider the materials specifications: it’s necessary to ensure the CNC machine can work with the materials you use, such as metals, plastics, composites, or wood and check the machine’s capacity to handle the hardness, thickness, and other properties of your materials. Wood and Wood-Based Materials, as ceramics, glass or composite materials can influence the process significantly and by clearly defining the materials being machined, you can select the appropriate CNC machine, tooling, cutting parameters, and coolant/lubrication systems to achieve optimal machining results while ensuring tool longevity and minimizing production costs.
9. Control system
When choosing a CNC machine, the control system is a critical consideration that directly influences the machine's performance, usability, and compatibility with your manufacturing processes. Regarding the control system, you should consider type of control system (open-loop control or closed loop), brand and manufacturer, compatibility with CAD/CAM software, user interface, programming capabilities, networking and connectivity, maintenance tools (remind that features such as real-time monitoring, error logging, and predictive maintenance alerts can reduce downtime and optimize machine performance).
10. Train the operators
By adopting a structured approach, it is possible to ensure that operators are adequately prepared to operate CNC machines safely, efficiently, and in compliance with company quality standards. The training should concern the CNC machining principles, including types of machines, components, and their applications, machine selection criteria and specific applications; technical specifications (such as spindle speed, axis travel, tool capacity, and tolerance levels), quality considerations (thanks to criteria like accuracy, surface finish, and repeatability) and energy efficiency and maintenance, to evaluate machine performance.
We manufacture lines, machinery, and components for making products, enhancing the potential of the wide range of materials processed by our customers that work in the furniture, construction, automotive and aerospace sectors. The machines can be distinguished by the material being processed (wood, glass, stone, and polymers and composite materials) and by the cnc machining type. Among the wood cnc machines and glass cnc machines we can list cutting, edging, drilling, finishing and multi-machining machines. Among the stone cnc machines we can mention the cutting, edging and multi-machining machines, while we can mention cutting, finishing and multi-machining machines for the polymers and composite materials.
We offer a range of software solutions designed to enhance the functionality, productivity, and ease of use of CNC machines. Here is an overview of our software solutions by closely observing the work carried out by the customer every day, with simple interfaces, designed to make everyday use of the machine practical.
B_SOLID is a 3D cad cam software program that supports the performance of any machining operation thanks to vertical modules designed for specific manufacturing processes.
B_EDGE is an additional module integrated in B_SUITE and making full use of the capacities of the suite, it simplifies the programming of the edgebanding process.
B_NEST is the B_SUITE plugin specifically for nesting operations. It allows you to organize your nesting projects in a simple way, reducing the material waste and machining time.
B_OPTI is the software for optimising cutting patterns, developed entirely by biesse. based on the list of pieces to be produced and the panels available, it can calculate the best solution to minimise material consumption, sectioning times and production costs.
Smartconnection is a software package for managing job orders within the company - from the generation phase to scheduling and actual production start-up - in just a few simple, intuitive steps.
iX by IMOS: iX is a 3d parametric CAD-CAM system for interior and furniture design.
IC was created from the experience and reliability of icam which, with over 7500 packages installed in 180 countries, is the most widely used cad/cam software in the world when it comes to glass applications.
ICAM: With over 6,500 packages installed, icam is the best seller in the history of intermac and guarantees the elevated competence of the global service. compatible with the Biesse machines already installed.
Easystone is cad/cam software specialised for the machining of marble, granite, stone and synthetic materials using cnc machining centres.
Contact us to learn about all the benefits offered by our technologies. We can recommend the most suitable technological solution for your needs.