With continuous advances in industrial automation, an increasing number of manufacturers choose to purchase sheet metal equipment, such as CNC press brakes and CNC cutting machines, equipped with an automatic and intelligent CNC system.
It is important to note that different CNC systems are suitable for producing different standard products and have a wide range of prices. Hence, for manufacturers, choosing the right CNC system can go a long way in efficiently mass producing their products.
This article will focus on press brake (hydraulic press brake) as an example and provide a brief overview of the dedicated CNC system for this specific machine. The goal is to give manufacturers who are looking for CNC press brakes a preliminary understanding of the CNC system.
Related Reading: Press Brake Buyer’s Guide
The numerical control system can be divided into:
- NC- Numerical Control
- CNC- Computer numerical control.
In the CNC system of a press brake, a digital control system refers to one in which the manufacturer has programmed the system and the buyer cannot modify the program. On the other hand, a computer numerical control (CNC) system allows the buyer to edit the program based on their operational needs before bending and making necessary changes.
Compared to digital control systems, CNC systems offer greater convenience. In essence, the NC digital control system is the first generation of CNC systems, while the CNC computerized numerical control system is an updated version.
The updated version of the system has several advantages over the previous version.
(1) The computer numerical control (CNC) system is based on a computer operating system, which makes it easy to operate and does not require specialized skills to use. The operating system is also easy to use and can be learned quickly with simple training, allowing workers to start working efficiently quickly.
On the other hand, traditional digital control systems are more demanding on the operator, requiring in-depth knowledge of each machine function and precise operation.
(2) The CNC numerical control press brake system allows multiple programming and has storage function. The greater the system's storage capacity, the more programs the machine can store.
For example, the ESA S500 series controller used in CNC bending machine has a 20GB hard disk that can store at least 2 million programs and a 256M U disk that can store at least 50,000 programs. Each program can contain hundreds of bending steps.
If a manufacturer needs to bend a variety of different specifications or parts with complex manufacturing processes, it is better to choose a CNC system to complete batch production in the shortest possible time. Digital control systems do not have storage capabilities.
(3) The press brake equipped with a computer numerical control (CNC) system produces parts with better quality and greater precision than those produced by a press brake with a digital control system.
(4) The CNC system's easy-to-use operating system allows workers to operate it for shorter periods of time and allows for continuous operation 24 hours a day.
Compared to traditional digital control systems, CNC systems offer several advantages. However, CNC systems are generally more expensive, leading to higher prices for CNC bending machines.
Despite the higher cost, the value of a CNC system is much greater in terms of production efficiency.
With increasing competition in the global market and the demand for parts that meet diverse customer needs with high efficiency, precision and standards, the advantages of a CNC press brake are becoming more prominent. It is able to meet the ever-changing demand of the market and is seen as the future trend.
For guidance on choosing between an NC type and a CNC type press brake, you can refer to the following post for more information.
Related Reading: How to Choose Hydraulic Press Brake（NC vs CNC）
