CNC machining centers face the transformation of new equipment

What we hear most often from manufacturers of precision machined parts is that the biggest barrier to CNC machining adoption is the production shop and its reluctance to change. For auto repair shops that have worked the same way for over 20 years or more, change isn't easy. We know that many shops outlast CNC machine tools and prefer the old-fashioned hands-on approach. But CNC is like a great apprentice copying the work of a master artist so he can pass his work on to others.

CNC machining center machines can replicate the most efficient and talented machinists on the shop floor through automated processes. The operator doesn't even have to be your best mechanic and can operate more than one machine at a time. Most manufacturers will tell you that the device costs far less than employees, not that you don't need employees. You absolutely want to, and to grow your business, you probably need more.

With the early development of the computer age, technology is naturally abundant in our daily lives. Even if you don't have a computer or touchscreen, you can't get away with it. Today, most people are used to using touchscreens because they own a smartphone. The experience on a smartphone helps build confidence that CNC machining won't be too hard to learn. As a result, more and more machining centers are finding CNC easy to learn and a better all-rounder, and as a result, more CNC machining centers are willing to try.

With a lack of new equipment builders and machine shops, manufacturers are challenged to get existing customers to upgrade their equipment. One CNC machining center manufacturer told us it was like trying to convince shop owners that the manual machine that had worked for them for the past 30 years was suddenly worthless because it was so slow. But this is reality. Older machines can still throw chips, but performing complex operations such as cylinder head transplants or milling large blocks of aluminum is nearly impossible, or you have to do it by hand, and it's not repeatable.

The new device makers that made the change say the challenges are worth it. Many new device makers say they like knowing they can hit the start button, take care of other things, come back and be done.