CNC machining in Missouri has come a long way over the years. At one–time manual labor was the only way to design different parts, tools, or products. Without CNC machining, there would be no way to keep up with the demand for items that people need every day.
This article will explain how CNC machining in Missouri first started and some of the progress made over time to get us to where we are today.
The Factory Act
Many people believe CNC got started because of The Factory Act. In 1833 many children were working more than twelve hours a day. Young children were asked to work in hazardous conditions with little time to focus on school. The Factory Act required employers to abide by the following rules:
- No child workers under 9 years old
- Children 9-13 years old cannot work more than nine hours per day
- Children 13-18 years old cannot work more than twelve hours per day
This new law decreased the staff at many places of employment and caused business owners to search for other manufacturing alternatives that did not require human input. This helped clear the way for automated machines.
Punch Tape
Human error was still a factor with manufacturing for many years. However, John Parsons developed a way to reduce mistakes by storing numeric data on punched tape. The Air Force later used this method to help design helicopter blades. Shortly after, the punch tape method evolved into the first milling machine that was controlled numerically.
The 1960s and 1970s, the Beginning of Software
Digital technology became more prominent in the 60s and 70s, and the punch tape method eventually evolved into digital software. Though the software used some of the same principles as the punch tape system, using software meant a higher capacity for advancement into the future. The software is now known as CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and became the building block of what many CNC specialists use today.
CNC Machining Today
Today, there are different options for designing parts or products, like using aluminum molds, steel molds, or EDM machining in Missouri. CNC machining is known for having lower setup costs than processes like custom injection molding in Missouri. Today, CNC is a popular choice for orders with units up to 10,000. Any projects above this threshold may be better suited for plastic injection molding services in Missouri.
If you are interested in CNC machining for your next project or one of our other tooling services in Missouri, call LeVic Plastics at (816) 761-8484 or contact us online. If you need thousands of units or just a few dozen, LeVic Plastics can handle massive quantities or limited production runs in Missouri.
Our team has been serving Missouri for nearly fifty years and would love to assist with your next project. Call us today!
