LECTURE 6

MACHINING CENTERS AND TURNING

CENTERS
Mahmoud Heshmat
PhD in IESM, 2018
 Machining Center

A machining center, is a highly automated machine tool capable of performing multiple

machining operations under Computer Numerical Control (CNC) in one setup with
minimal human attention.

The typical features that distinguish a machining center from conventional machine tools:
❑ Multiple operations in one setup
❑ Automatic tool changing
❑ Automatic workpart positioning
CNC Turning CNC Milling
Machining Center
Turning Center
 Definitions

▪ Numerical control (NC) : A system that uses prerecorded information

prepared from numerical data to control a machine tool or the machining
process.
▪ Numerical control (NC) The term used to describe the control of machine
movements and various other functions by instructions expressed as a
series of numbers and initiate via electronic control system.
▪ Computer numerical control (CNC): The term used when the control
system includes a computer.
 History of NC

▪ 1952: The first NC conventional milling machine (at Massachusetts

Institute of Technology)
▪ 1957: Air craft manufacturers installed a milling machine as the
beginning of NC technology
▪ 1960’s: Smaller electronic components such as transistors, resistors,
and diodes have increased the reliability, reduced size and cost of NC
machine tools.
▪ 1965: Integrated circuits in 1965’s led to a further reduction of the size
and cost of the control units and provided the basis for the use of
minicomputers in (CNC) machining.
Manual Machine Tools
NC Machine Tool
NC System Components
NC and CNC
Direct Numerical Control (DNC)
 When to Use NC?

❑ The set up time is large in conventional machining

❑ Frequent changes in tooling and machine setting is required
❑ Parts are produced intermittently
❑ Complex shaped components are needed
❑ Expensive parts where human errors are costly
❑ Design changes are frequent
❑ Hundred percent inspection is required
NC Cost
 Advantages of NC

❑ Greater flexibility: through tape/program changes can be made rapidly, and design
changes to parts can be made rapidly through minor changes to the part program.
❑ Elimination of templates, models, jigs, and fixtures: The NC control tape takes over
the job of locating the cutting tools.
❑ Easier setups: By using more simple work holding and locating devices, the
operator does not have to set table limit stops or dogs or depend on the feed screw
dials when setting up for machining
 Advantages of NC
❑ Reduced machining time: Machining with NC provides the use of a wider range of
speeds and feeds than conventional machine tools. Optimum selection of feed rates
and cutting speeds is ensured. The NC equipment can also move from one cutting
operation to the next faster than the operator which, significantly, reduces the total
machining time.
❑ Greater accuracy and uniformity: No human errors are possible and machining the
same part is performed in the same way through the stored tape/program. Hence,
scrape and rework are greatly reduced or completely eliminated by using NC.
❑ Greater safety: The operator is not as closely involved with the actual machining
operations as in case of the conventional machine tools.
❑ Conversion to the metric system:, NC system can be converted to accept either inch or
metric inputs.
 Disadvantages of NC

❖ The skill to operate an NC is usually high. (Part programmers, tool

setters, punch operators, and maintenance staff that are more educated
and well trained than conventional machine operators)
❖ Special training for personnel for the software and hardware is very
important.
❖ NC requires high investments in terms of wages of highly skilled
personnel and expensive spare parts.
See You Next Lecture