What is a CNC Machine?

A CNC (Computer Numerical Control) Machine is a machine that is able to move along a number of axis within a given range of motion. These machines are always equipped with tool holders and a means of exchanging tools. A CNC machine usually consists of some sort of table, coupled with a roughly cylindrical tool exchanging unit called the "spindle." The purpose of such a machine is to shape design models from a base material. These machines are capable of doing so because of their ability to interface with engineering design softwares, their accurate and precise movements, and their access to a variety of tools. Thus, every machine is equipped with its own proprietary software.             If one, for example, wished to use a CNC machine to model a concept car, one would have to first draw a model of that concept car using an engineering software such as AutoCad or SolidWorks. Then one would have to upload that drawing as a file to the proprietary software of the CNC machine, which is attached to the computer on which the proprietary software is installed. The CNC machine would then analyze that drawing and convert it into a programming language called G-Code. Once the drawing is converted into the machine's language the machine will be able to pick the correct tools, movement speeds, and movement paths it needs in order to model the design it recieved from a base material chosen by the user. A demonstration of this may be seen to the right.