To understand the role of CNC machining in architectural applications, you must have a complete idea about CNC machining. It is also referred to as CNC manufacturing, a process that uses computer numerical control (CNC) machines. It can use for rapid prototype manufacturing and allow for the production of fast turnaround engineering models, prototypes, and high-quality parts.

CNC machining can choose for rapid prototype manufacturing projects. CNC machining can create complex parts that cannot create manually. You can successfully create 3D products through it by using CNC machines. It removes the material to create a perfect angle and shape through turning, milling, and drilling. It not only creates the components for industrial applications but also offers various applications in architectural work. Using CNC technology for your architectural work is no doubt an excellent idea. The following are the main reasons for choosing CNC technology over other processes.

1- Speedy Process with improved design

You can streamline the design process by using CNC machining. Architects can produce detailed, complex, and high-quality products because they have enough time the refine their designs.

2- Consistency

Improving the consistency of an architectural project is the main advantage of CNC machining in architectural work. It means that the products produced by multiple production processes show identical clear patterns.

3- Precision/Accuracy

The CNC architectural products are more accurate and precise than manual machining processes. This accuracy and precision are because computers control the CNC process, thus minimizing the chances of errors in architects' products.

Considerations of Material

But before making the model through CNC, you must choose the material and tools you will use. Using CNC machining, you can use various materials and tools to produce architectural products.

It would help if you looked for the most suitable material to produce desirable products with excellent results successfully. You must have complete information about several factors of your selected material. These factors may include properties of materials such as temperature resistance, hardness, etc. You should also know whether the material you are using is cost-effective or not.

After selecting the most appropriate material, you should choose accurate CNC tools. The selection of tools depends on the type of CNC machining process. Once the tool selection is made, adjust the tool settings for the machining processes, such as feed rate, cutting speed, and depth of cut. The poor selection of materials, tools, and tool sets can produce an undesirable architectural product with additional machining costs.

Architectural Models Makings and Prototypes

CNC machining is an ideal option for creating architectural models and rapid prototype manufacturing. It is a repeatable process. It means you can create multiple models and prototypes having identical features with great accuracy. The architects can use the CAD program for designing building models. After Designing models, they generate the machining and the cutting programs. These cutting and machining programs are generated to render these architect models by CNC machines.

You get a more accurate and precise representation of the architect's sketch or design. The design's representation helps all the building designers, prototype manufacturers, and builders to understand the concept completely. They fully understand all the features of the design. It prevents the chances of any misunderstanding. Moreover, it prevents the wrong interpretation of the concepts about designed models.

In rare cases, the techniques and programs used for designing and creating models are directly applied to building construction. This process is referred to as mechanization. The designs of models and prototypes can create even on small tools such as mini mill machines. These machines are small, and accurate designs can be created using CNC machining. After designing, they are commercialized after being polished. The polishing is done to give a clear appearance of the designed CNC machined model.

Interior and Exterior Design Elements

The architecture also uses the CNC machining processes to create interior and exterior design elements. They choose a variety of exterior and interior design elements for a building. The design elements that are impossible to create manually by architectures can easily be designed and created by CNC machining.

CNC machining offers various architectural applications. It is used not only for repeated methods but also for making architectural rapid prototype manufacturing and models. You can create various architectural models and prototypes with excellent accuracy and precision. Moreover, it is also used for precise exterior and interior design elements and machining.

The CNC router is considered best for creating exterior and interior design elements because of its efficient working. Architects and prototype manufacturers can also use various other architectural design and manufacturing tools. It opens up and enhances the opportunities for architectural exterior and internal designing.

Rapid prototype manufacturing can help architects and designers make a presentation for clients and investors. It can prove helpful for the understanding and approval of a product. RP (rapid prototype) is an iterative procedure that eliminates the need to customize parts and proves a great choice for customers.

CNC techniques also create external and internal design elements using various tools, especially CNC routers resulting in various complex designs. But, before using CNC technology for architectural purposes, using an appropriate material is compulsory for desirable results. During the process, first, architecture creates a design idea, which is explained in 3D form using CAD software. Then, the 3D form is translated into machine language by the CAM program, followed by the creation of detailed information for CNC machines by G-code. In the end, the CNC machine executes the program, producing exact replicas of the architectural designs.

Machining at Design and Construction Phases

In the case of architectural CNC machining, the CNC router is considered the best because of its efficient working. Architects can use various other tools for architectural designing, rapid prototype manufacturing, and construction. It opens up and enhances the opportunities for the CNC machining of new architectural designs and constructions.

Architects are taking advantage of using the CNC machining technique for the production of a variety of CNC machine models. They can make interior and exterior design elements and machining in designs and constructions. The integration of the architectural work and CNC

processes includes the following steps:

The idea of design

The architect's idea is considered the beginning of the process. The architect must have a vague idea or concept of the model and prototype design. You can say that it is an initial idea or a fully-formed concept. At this stage of the initial design, a sketch of the project is formed. The architecture sketches out the broad boundaries of the project.

Computer-Aided Designs

The concept development follows the design of ideas using CAD or computer-aided programs. It means that the further development of the designed sketch is done by CAD, resulting in more accurate results in less time. The CAD program works by rendering the design in 3D form. It helps the architect to observe every single little point of the design. It even helps in exploring the minute errors present in the design. Briefly, it helps the architects explore the complete detail of the design, making it easy for them to make a final design.

Computer Assisted Machining

After designing a 3D form of the design, a computer-assisted machining program is used. All the information, including flanges, run-out, and all other minute features, is added by the designer with the help of this CAM program. The CNC machine requires all this information for the execution of the program. Moreover, this program also translates the design of architecture into the language of machines.

Toolpath/ Input

In this step, CNC machines are used for further calibrations. All the CNC machines use a G-code. The CNC machines may use different variants of G-code language. The variants may vary depending on the manufacturer and the age of the CNC machine. At the toolpath stage, detailed instruction for the CNC machine is created. It means that it gives the instructions of material or features to be cut. Moreover, it also provides the moving instructions to the CNC machine.

Execution

It is the simplest stage in the architect's model and rapid prototype manufacturing/ making. It involves the creation of a model by execution of a program. The CNC machine is used to execute the program. During the operation, you must ensure there is no requirement for troubleshooting. A physical replica of the architect model is produced by automatically running the CNC machines.

Conclusion

The CNC machining process is gaining popularity because it is not only used on an industrial scale but also shows architectural applications. Architects and prototype manufacturers use the CNC process and tool to create more accurate and precise features in less time with high consistency. CNC machining offers a complete application for various industries, such as automotive, aerospace, and aviation architecture. The most important applications for architecture include creating models, rapid prototype manufacturing, and constructing interior and exterior design elements. They give a clear idea about the actual building and design.

Author: Kimber Li