A Place for Manual Machining

There are many commonalities between manual and CNC machining. We compared the differences and similarities in this article. The introduction to CNC machining continues to change the landscape of machining as machines become more intelligent and the IIoT adds reporting and connectivity. However, many fully automated shops still utilize manual machines. There must be a reason. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits to find a place for manual machining in increasingly automated machine shops.

Many people believe you can not be a qualified machinist without having experience with manual machines. While training is certainly different, the right mindset can achieve the critical thinking and mastery required no matter how you are trained. CNC machining is also criticized for inefficiencies in making simple parts in small numbers. While it may be overkill with computer design and setup, it depends on several factors to determine its’ worth like delivery time, accuracy, and material.

The advantages in the busy, cost-competitive environments in machine shops for use of manual machines fall into five categories.

Financial Investment

You may have invested in one or more CNC machines. You will be hard-pressed to find one machine that can perform all your operations. And, sometimes, a misstep can even be made when the world of CNC machining is new to you and the wrong choice of machine is purchased. This is where a manual machine can step up. It is difficult to invest in all the varieties of CNC machine applications at one time. Finance should always be well-planned and manual equipment can continue to fill production demands while CNC machines are phased in.

Volume

No machine shop owner is going to complain if their CNC machines are booked solid with production for several weeks. Isn’t that the dream? But then, a lifelong customer needs a sample part, or a new client with great future potential needs a small production run. That’s the perfect time to utilize the skills of your machinist and your manual machine. Delivery may be longer than what your CNC machine can do, but the client will be pleased with the effort to fit them into your busy production schedule.

Part Dimensions

The part may simply be too large to fit the CNC machine in your shop. With jigs and clamps, a large part can be set to run on a manual machine. Even something like clamping may not fit the part that needs to be milled or turned. Having that manual backup machine is always beneficial where custom jigs or larger parts need to be accommodated.

Training

Training new staff can gain great benefits when they can learn machining on a manual machine. The hands-on application teaches the translation of blueprints into a workpiece. The logic to assess positioning, scrap reduction, and approach to cutting can best be seen working on a manual machine. This experience translates necessary methodologies to CNC machines that help in troubleshooting, maintenance, and machine setup.

Customizing

One of the “flaws” of manual machining can be a slight change from one part to another. A master machinist can overcome that to produce a near flawless composition of each part but consider the advantage for artistic pieces where slight variations will encourage the hand-made, original look. A slight change in shape, burrs, or discoloration may even add to the beauty or originality of such a part.

In a quickly evolving computerized world of machining don’t discount the manual machine. Beyond the need for prototypes, training, and originality there is also a reliable backup in the event of a CNC breakdown. The specifics of each job will dictate the feasibility of running production on a manual or CNC machine by choice, but a crisis is an excellent opportunity to utilize old equipment. There will always be a place for manual machining in a precision shop. Contact us to see how we can provide the right tooling for your machined part.