Whether it's in manufacturing, distribution, or another sector, if you have an industrial business, precision is everything, especially regarding any hardware. Every component is essential for your operations. However, daily wear and tear can eventually lead to these things incurring minor damages or outright breaking. Often, these parts may not be easily replaceable. Thankfully, if you have a schematic, you can take it to a Computer Numerical Control or CNC machining company to have it repaired or repaired. To ensure your technical drawing can be used, consider the following.

How to Optimize a Drawing for CNC Machining 

1. Tolerances

In fabrication, tolerance refers to how much measurements can deviate. It's a very small number and will differ depending on the material. For example, with metal, a typical tolerance is plus or minus 0.005 inches; with plastic, it's often plus or minus 0.01 inches. Knowing this is imperative to guarantee that the part will fit and function the way it's intended. Customers can specify it on their own, but if it's missing, the CNC machining company will have its own general list of tolerances

2. Cavities & Pockets

If any parts have a cavity or pocket in the design, you will be limited to what the machine can do. There is a limited cutting length that makes it difficult to go too deep. The general guideline is that any cavity or pocket can only be as deep as about four times its width, nothing more. If you need it to be deeper than that, the CNC machining company will need to modify your drawing or use a specialized tool.

3. Wall Thickness

The walls of any fabricated pieces can only be so thin before they start to weaken or warp. The thinner you try to go, the less accurate the final piece will be, and it may not fit or function the way it's supposed to. The minimum thickness changes depending on the material. If it's metal, it should be at least 0.8 mm thick. If it's plastic, it should be at least 1.5 mm. 

If there are any parts that need to be repaired or fabricated, take your drawing to Wilson Machine & Welding to have it crafted. Based in Cordova, AL, they've provided fabrication and CNC machining services for industrial clients throughout the Southeastern US for nearly 50 years. Even if you don't have a drawing, these skilled technicians can work closely with you and reverse engineer the piece to create a drawing and fabricate it. You can learn more about their services online but if you have questions, call (205) 648-3203 today.