Nowadays in the mechanical industry many of the traditional milling machines are deemed old or obsolete. No one use these machines anymore since the introduction of CNC machines (Computer Numerical Control). These new types of machines have helped many businesses to create or produce on a large scale and they no longer have to do this without accuracy and precision. Using a new CNC machine will boost productivity as well as profits for your company. Technology has advanced so much that these machines are able to allow you to carry out very complex milling operations and this, in turn, allows you to produce much more useful and effective components.
Over a period of time though, just as with anything else, you will want a new machine center. You may wonder whether to continue working with what you have or whether it’s best if you obtain a new CNC machining center. Well, before you go ahead and purchase a new one here are a few things to look for and consider before doing so.
- The components produced and their size: You must consider this. You need to know whether your business needs a machine to produce small or large components. For smaller components you will need a smaller machine and for larger components you will need a larger machine. If you are continuing to produce the same thing then it may not be time to upgrade to a new CNC machining center just yet.
- The design complexity: All newer CNC machines are of a more complex design and usually carry more axes. So if you want to produce various components over time then you will want one of the more advanced machines. If not, and you want to produce simple parts, then a simple CNC milling machine is what you will need.
- Condition of used machines: If you have to regularly have maintenance done on your CNC machining center then you will see that the maintenance costs do add up over a period of time. If you reach the point where you think purchasing new machines to replace the old ones will be worth the investment but continue to use the old ones and have to have them undergo maintenance regularly then you need to consider new machines to replace the older ones.
- Machine productivity: If you want to speed up the time used in production then you may have to get newer CNC machines. The newer machines are up to date and can perform higher milling operations in a much shorter time period. If you are also experiencing productivity problems with the center you have now then it may be worth looking into getting new CNC machining centers so as to keep your business and reputation in good standing.
By considering the few points given above you should be able to make an informed decision where purchasing a new CNC machining center is concerned.
