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Today's CNC milling machines require high powered electro-spindles, high accuracy, and, for certain applications—such as surfacing, the machining of wing spars, and other similar processes—high speed machining capabilities.

Let’s begin at the beginning: Much older than the practice of CNC milling is the concept of milling itself. Milling is the process of removing extraneous pieces from blocks or slabs of solid raw material to create a product of some kind.

CMS is the proven leader in CNC machining technology, offering a range of versatile, high speed CNC systems that provide unrivaled performance and precision.

Symmetrix is one of the world’s leading composite tooling shops. Using CNC machining, the company turns their clients’ 3D computer design files into fully-machined surfaces, molds, and other precision products. Based in Bristol, Rhode Island, they are known across the globe for the high quality, high precision work they deliver. With the recent addition of a massive, custom CNC machining center from CMS North America, Symmetrix is able to provide their clients with greater precision and accuracy than ever before.

Numerical control—the precursor to CNC—was developed by John Parsons as a method of producing integrally stiffened aircraft skins. Parsons, while working at his father’s Traverse City, Michigan-based Parsons Corp., had previously collaborated on the development of a system for producing helicopter rotor blade templates.

The early history of CNC machining is almost as complex as a modern CNC system.

CMS’ innovative engineering team has evolved traditional machining equipment into a series of advanced vertical machining centers. All our vertical milling machines feature rigid CNC control across three or more axes.

The development of machining equipment is the story of the various stages of milling strategies and processes, which in the beginning were directed toward the removing of material from solid objects of various sorts by the use of drills and cutters.

Lockheed Space Systems – Denver, Colorado facilities include their CDS, or Composite Development Shop where composite structures for a variety of space applications are designed, machined and assembled. Between 2012 and 1013, Lockheed contracted CMS Industries /CMS North America to design and build two Poseidon machines that were subsequently supplied and installed.

Watch the video below demonstrating how CNC Machining molds, models and prototypes.

Watch how our machines can be applied to aerospace manufacturing in the video below.

Airplanes are usually constructed from aluminum and composite parts. For manufacturers like Boeing, equipment that is ideally suited for machining aluminum and composite materials is essential. At CMS, we have developed state-of-the-art technology specifically for the advanced materials that Boeing uses to build aircraft.

CMS North America is proud to be partnering with Alfa Romeo for their newest project, the Alfa Romeo 4C. The New York Times recently took notice of Alfa Romeo’s newest offering and offered up this video review.

Legendary Italian automaker Alfa Romeo designed their new 4C sports car to be their “reintroduction” to the American market. This high-performance two-seater was engineered to put the best driving technology available into the most visually striking package possible. To achieve this lofty goal, Alfa Romeo teamed with CMS and other innovative European companies.

In preparation for the 33rd America’s Cup in 2010, Oracle Racing utilized CMS’ advanced CNC machining technology to manufacture composite material parts for the AC45-class trimaran yacht, the USA 17. CMS is proud to have been an official supplier for what would prove to be the Cup-winning boat, as Team Oracle defeated the defending Swiss team, Alinghi, 2-0.

CMS North America and CMS Industries is proud to be your leading technology partner when it comes to CNC machining solutions.

There are many kinds of encoders and feedback devices. There are resolvers, encoders, glass scales, interferometer scales, inductive scales, capacitive scales, pulse coders, rotary-linear encoders, and even mechanical-hydraulic encoders. There are temperature specific scales and zero temperature scales. Each type of scale has its specific application and price. Also any type of scale can only perform at its best if installed, adjusted and maintained correctly.

We all know that temperature affects materials but how does that ultimately affect our parts? On the surface it would appear a simple task to compensate for. All we should have to do is take the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), look at a thermometer and psyfer up the solution. Well, it doesn’t quite work out to be that simple.

As mechanics, technicians, metrologists and calibrationistas, we have the opportunity to work with many tools and different types of equipment. Between CMS North America and CMS SpA, we have spent over $1M on equipment to calibrate and evaluate our machines.

This month we will discuss squaring a machine tool. There are many trains of thought in the machine metrology world on the best way to measure and square a machine. By squaring a machine we mean to verify the X, Y, and Z axis are traveling at 90 degrees to each other.

You know, when I started researching this article I really thought it was going to be an in depth intellectual undertaking. In reality, it’s much more like trying to roll a square wheel!

CMS North America’s Quality Assurance and Calibration expert, Marty Sutten, helps prepare you for a discussion on Metrology by discussing the tools, terms, and essential concepts in this month’s CMS North America blog …

People don’t often think of the role that automated manufacturing plays in their lives. However, automated manufacturing is now common in nearly every industry – especially the automotive industry. CNC machining is responsible today for nearly every step of the car manufacturing process.