As the new energy vehicle market grows more global, efforts to include data-driven manufacturing technologies and modern machining tools will grow in order to satisfy high-performance standards.
As the new energy vehicle market grows, the demand for machined parts, including gear wheels, transmission parts, compressors, rechargeable batteries, and trays, also increases.
This demands more precise machining procedures and modern/advanced grinding, CNC milling, and drilling techniques.
The use of CNC machining has revolutionized the manufacturing of automobiles. Its uses, advantages, and role in advancing vehicle production are all discussed in this article.
Machining Parts in Vehicle Body and Chassis System
Today, a number of the chassis components of new energy vehicles are made of plastic polymers, where molding technology plays a significant role. A vehicle’s frame, or primary structure, is made of metal alloys that have strong impact and tension resistance.
Moreover, laser CNC machines help engineers during the production of roof panels, bumpers, and fenders, as well as other parts of the new energy vehicle’s body system.
Machining Parts in Vehicle Braking System
The only difference between the braking systems of internal combustion vehicles and new energy vehicles is that the brakes on electric vehicles are controlled by an electric-powered system. Nonetheless, they still have a standard hydraulic braking system set up in case the power source fails or runs out.
The primary brake system components, including brake pads, brake discs, plates, studs, bolts, and bearings, are commonly mass-produced using CNC lathes and milling machines. particularly those with tight tolerances like adjustment ratchets and wheel bearings.
Machining Parts in The Vehicle Steering System
The steering gearbox is a crucial component of the steering system in an energy vehicle. Transmission systems also include gearboxes, which contain shafts and gear components that allow the vehicle to move. CNC machines are also used to make these components.
Machining Parts in Vehicle Drive Motor
Electric vehicle motors are made up of the same components as their internal combustion engine counterparts, including a chamber, gears, bearings, cables, etc. The critical difference is the source of power used to drive the motor; electric motors primarily function on the basis of electromagnetic fields.
Gears, tensors, bearings, chains, pumps, cylinders, bolts, and other steel-made elements that require highly intricate machining all require CNC machining techniques to conform to the tight tolerances of new energy vehicle performance.
These components are produced using drills, mills, lathes, and modern machining centers.
Machining parts in vehicle battery
Battery trays in new energy vehicles must be carefully made to ensure the safety and smooth functioning of the battery.
These trays are often constructed from intricately machined aluminum pieces, requiring precise CNC technology to tap and drill tiny holes and create other distinctive features.
Machining parts in vehicle drive system
Don’t forget that CNC machines can cut a variety of materials thanks to their versatility. Apart from steel and its alloys, other materials produced with CNC lasers or routers include wood, plastic, carbon fiber, and others.
Routers are useful for producing interior panels, gauges, and light casings made of brass materials for brass CNC machining parts and plastic materials for plastic CNC machining dashboard frames.
Advantages of Machining Parts in New Energy Vehicles
Speed
The speed provided by CNC machining automotive parts is the most significant advantage. Computers automatically perform machining; therefore, there is no need to account for human limitations. This benefit becomes more visible when cutting a product in large quantities since the computer commands can be repeated as many times as needed.
Although CNC is significantly quicker than traditional machining, there are some situations where traditional machining may be faster.
For example, if only one unit of the item needs to be manufactured. In this case, the time required to write the computer commands may exceed the time required to make a single piece manually.
Accuracy & precision
CNC machining is preferred by many new energy vehicle manufacturers because of the accuracy it provides. There is very little chance that an error will occur; the tightest machining tolerances are 0.001 inches because of the independent nature of the operation.
This is very helpful because the automotive sector requires the highest standards along with extremely fine tolerances because the failure of a crucial component could have major consequences for the end user.
Repeatability
The same product can be made repeatedly with CNC machining without any sort of accuracy issue. Thus, they are quite helpful when a new energy vehicle company produces vast quantities of a single part.
This is especially helpful for the automotive sector because there is a constant need for large quantities because, on average, 81.5 million cars are produced and sold annually.
In fact, it is more economical to use CNC machining to produce larger quantities because the product’s actual machining requires less work than the initial design phase.
This is due to the fact that the first step involves choosing materials, creating G-code, and digitally designing the component.
CNC Machining is Helping to Move Auto Production into the Future
Although CNC machinery has several advantages for the automotive sector, technology is constantly changing.
Artificial intelligence (AI) software is now a part of CNC technology, allowing machines to self-diagnose issues and cut down on downtime. Also, the quality and consistency of CNC machined auto parts have been improved by this innovation.
The manufacture of self-driving vehicles also heavily relies on AI-assisted CNC machining. It enables companies to manufacture essential equipment, including membrane switches, optical equipment, and radar sensors.
