With the development in the numeric control technology, there is rapid progress in the field of mechanical processing and flexibility in the manufacturing techniques. The modern computer integrated manufacturing techniques are capable of producing complex geometries with high efficiency and at a lower cost rather than the conventional manufacturing process. Nowadays the modern integrated manufacturing techniques such as CNC which involves the use of a computer for tasks like drilling, boring, cutting operations serves as a favorable option for both prototyping and production of automotive parts all around the world.
CNC Machine
CNC is a numerically controlled machine that uses G-codes and M-codes for cutting, drilling and other manufacturing processes with precision and accuracy. The design and manufacturing of the mechanical parts in modern CNCs is highly automated. The dimensions of the parts are defined by using some CAD software which is then converted into manufacturing directives using CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) software. The transformation of the directives into specific commands such as G and M-codes is necessary for the particular machine to produce the component.
The motion of the tool on CNC is controlled along different axes. Modern CNC machines being employed are using the 5-axis machining. 5-axis machining enables the working tool to move along 5 different axes at the same time enabling machining of complex parts with complete efficiency and accuracy.
CNC Automotive
Every facet of manufacturing technique demands high performance. Therefore, many machining techniques are being employed by automotive companies for the production of different parts such as body sheets, windscreens, door panels and various internal and external components. Automotive companies are engaging the CNC machines for faster production of precise and highly efficient parts. The use of CNC machine in the field of automotive is called as CNC automotive.
Several important components of the automobile can be produced by employing the technique of CNC automotive. The cylinder of an engine is one of them, where a large block of aluminum can be transformed into an engine block or an engine’s cylinder where the piston travels up and down at high speed and temperature.
Similarly CNC automotive can be used to both interior and exterior lightening of the vehicle using a material such as acrylic glass or PMMA (Polymethylmethacrylate). Other components such as exhaust parts, suspension parts, carburetor housings etc. can be manufactured using CNC automotive technique as the entire process is relatively fast producing accurate parts. Since CAD allows quick alteration of part’s design hence this manufacturing technology is useful in customization of the vehicle and their components.
Introduction of Artificial Intelligence in CNC
AI (Artificial Intelligence) is basically the system or operation of algorithms that are optimized automatically as they undergo some processes. The field of rapid manufacturing is witnessing revolutionary changes after the introduction of Artificial Intelligence in the CNC machines improving its performance.
Artificial Intelligence reduces machine downtime. As the machine runs, it develops faults which sometimes are difficult to be detected thus reducing the productivity depending upon the industrial scale. With the introduction of AI in CNC machines, the machine will be able to self-diagnose the fault with the help of AI software saving many hours of machine downtime. Moreover, the introduction of AI in CNC automotive will also aid in quality control by maintaining the consistency of the output. The output will be continually monitored and checked with automatic adjustments made in order to produce consistent products. This will have an impact on the cost and efficiency with higher accuracy and less wastage of the raw material.
Application of AI-Assisted CNC in Self-Driving Cars
Self-driving cars also known as autonomous cars are the vehicle moving with less or no human input by sensing the environment. They combine various sensor in order to judge the surrounding environment. The control system used then interprets the information to identify the correct path and obstacle blockage.
The role of CNC automotive in self-driving cars is of great importance. With the introduction of AI in the CNC, CNC automotive has been giving more output as compared to before. The AI-assisted CNC automotive is used in the manufacturing of automotive parts as well as automotive machining. As self-driving cars require more accuracy as compared to human-driven cars where the chance of errors can be catered. These CNCs are used in the manufacturing of electrical components as well as the mechanical components of the self-driving cars. Moreover, CNC automotive can be used for various other operations such as tapping centers, mold making applications, laser machining, handling etc. The mechanical components manufactured includes the brake shoes, ruled based programmed engine parts, housings of various electrical components, heat sinks front panels etc. The electrical components of the autonomous vehicle which can be manufactured by CNC automotive are the radar sensors which detect the road dynamics, the processing components, optical instruments of the car, membrane switches, adapters, connectors, sockets, wave solder pallet. These parts require superior surface quality and higher accuracy. Moreover, all the parts are required to be exactly identical which is accomplished by AI assisted CNC automotive.
Moreover, the precision CNC machines with the help of AI can also be used to design programmed components which have a feedback mechanism, aiding in the cars to self-drive. For example, by using precision CNC machine a programme was designed to shut off a car automatically if it is left on for some time without any human effort by the code generated by AI. Similarly, AI assisted CNC automotive can be used to create the components which can provide situational alerts and the code may be embedded by the AI to take the right decisions, which will aid in the self-driving mechanism.
Advantages of CNC Automotive
1. Speed
One of the most significant advantages of CNC automotive is speed over conventional machining. This advantage is particularly apparent when mass production of components take place as the computer can repeat the programme as many times without any interruptions.
2. Precision and Accuracy
Accuracy is another reason of favor of CNC automotive instead of conventional machining. The best machine settings provide tolerances of 0.001” due to the autonomous nature of the machine. Such fine tolerances are demanded in the automotive industry where the failure of any critical component can result in serious consequences especially in self-driving cars.
3. Repeatability
The job of the CNC machine can be repeated without any discrepancy so the parts produced are identical and accurate. So this technology is particularly useful in mass production where error-free identical parts can be reproduced.
Future of AI-assisted CNC
As the technology will develop, the future of AI-assisted CNCs will be more linked up. The AI will be smart enough to link the CAD software and amend any errors in the designs for the best possible results. Generative designing will be introduced to improve the designs through a series of iterations. The manufacturing process can also be linked with cloud computing so that the operations can be performed from some internet cloud storage platform saving the system’s memory. Therefore the AI-assisted CNCs will play a far more important role in the manufacturing and machining operations especially in the automotive industry, so as automotive prototyping will do the same part.
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