The CNC Handbook

Technology advances in production engineering have reduced the “artisan skill” traditionally required in manufacturing processes and replaced it with high-precision, computer-controlled machinery. This reduces human errors and variability in output, but it does not reduce the knowledge required of the professional engineer or shop floor worker. In fact, the reverse is true. They still need to understand the fundamentals, and must acquire other important skills. Anyone who works in machining or additive manufacturing technology must have a solid technical knowledge of CNC technology. It is important to know how the individual components work and how they affect the overall system, the quality of the products produced and the profitability of production. Professionals should be familiar with today's machine tools and the numerous functions of CNC, electrical servo drives, tool systems, NC programming through to digital information processing and