(2) Computer Numerical Control
Computer numerical control (CNC) is the numerical control system inwhich a dedicated computer is built into the control to perform basic andadvanced NC functions. CNC controls are also referred to as soft-wired NC systems because most of their control functions are implemented bythe control software programs. CNC is a computer assisted process tocontrol general purpose machines from instructions generated by a processor and stored in a memory system. It is a specific form of controlsystem where position is the principal controlled variable. All numericalcontrol machines manufactured since the seventies are of CNC type.The computer allows for the following: storage of additional programs, program editing, running of program from memory, machine andcontrol diagnostics, special routines, inch/metric, incremental/absoluteswitchability.CNC machines can be used as stand alone units or in a network of machines such as flexible machine centres. The controller uses a permanent resident program called an executive program to process thecodes into the electrical pulses that control the machine. In any CNCmachine, executive program resides in ROM and all the NC codes inRAM. The information in ROM is written into the electronic chips andcannot be erased and they become active whenever the machine is on.The contents in RAM are lost when the controller is turned off. Someuse special type of RAM called CMOS memory, which retains itscontents even when the power is turned off.
Figure 21.1: CNC milling machine
( 1.3 ) Direct Numerical Control
In a Direct Numerical Control system (DNC), a mainframe computer isused to coordinate the simultaneous operations of a number NCmachines as shown in the figures 21.2 & 21.3. The main tasks performed by the computer are to program and edit part programs as well asdownload part programs to NC machines. Machine tool controllers havelimited memory and a part program may contain few thousands of blocks.So the program is stored in a separate computer and sent directlyto the machine, one block at a time.First DNC system developed was Molins System 24 in 1967 byCincinnati Milacron and General Electric. They are now referred to asflexible manufacturing systems (FMS). The computers that were used atthose times were quite expensive.
Figure 21.2: DNC systemFigure 21.3: DNC system
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NC,CNC and DNC
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