6-2 The machine control unit for CNC

1. Central processing unit (CPU)

(Control section, arithmetic logic unit, and immediate access
memory).
2. Memory (ROM, RAM)
3. Input/output interface
4. Machine tool control.
5. Sequence controls.
Memory Input/output interface
• ROM  operating system Central processing 
• operator panel
• RAM   Part program unit (CPU)
• Tape reader 

System bus
Machine tool control
Sequence controls
• Position control
• Coolant
• Spindle speed 
• Fixture clamping
control
• Tool changer
6-3 CNC Auxiliary functions
1) Coolant control (off program)
2) Tool change and tool storage unit
3) Fixture clamping device
4) Robot for part loading and unloading
5) Timers
6) Counters

6-4 CNC Software

1. Operating system software
2. Machine interface software
3. Application software
7- DNC
7-1 Direct numerical control
It is involved the control of a number machine tools by a single
(mainframe) computer through direct connection in real time.
The general configuration of DNC, It consisted of 4 components;
• Central computer.
• Bulk memory at the central computer site.
• Set of controlled machine.
• Telecommunication lines.

Central Bulk memory

computer NC programs Telecommunication lines

BTR BTR BTR BTR

Tap  Tap  Tap  Tap 

reader MC reader MC reader MC reader MC
U U U U
 There is a feedback from the machine tools to the central
computer to indicate operating performance in the shop.
Advantage for DNC include;
1) High reliability of a central computer compared with
individual hard-wired MCU.
2) Eliminate the role of tape and tap reader.
3) Control of multiple machines by one computer.
4) Improved computational capability for circular
interpolation.
5) Part programs stored in bulk memory in central location.
7-2 Distributed numerical control
The central computer is connected to MCUs, which are themselves
computers
 DNC
computer

MT MCU MCU MT
DATA
SWITCHING
BOX
MCU MT
MT MCU
(a) Switching
network

DNC
computer

Satellite  (b) LAN Satellite 

computer computer

MT MCU MCU MT MT MCU MCU MT

8- Applications of NC
It can be divided into two categories;
1. Machine tool application
2. Non machine tool application.
1- Machine tool application
a) NC lathes, horizontal and vertical.
b) NC boring, horizontal and vertical.
c) NC drilling press.
d) NC milling machine. 4-axis machine.
e) NC cylindrical grinding.
NC application characteristics;
• Batch production (small and medium lot size, from 1 to several hundred units)
• Repeated orders
• Complex part geometry.
• Much metal needs to be removed from the work part.
• Many separate machining operations on the part.
• Expensive part.
• Close tolerance.
• Engineering design change is likely.
• Required inspection.
 Other metalworking processes
a) Punch presses.
b) Presses for sheet metal forming
c) Welding machines.
d) Thermal cutting machines.
e) Tube bending machines.

2- Other NC applications
1. Electrical wire warp machines.
2. Component insertion machines.
3. Drafting machines.
4. Coordinate measuring machines.
9- Advantages and disadvantages of NC
• Advantages
1. Reduced nonproductive time.
2. Greater accuracy and repeatability.
3. Lower scrape rate.
4. Reduced the required inspection.
5. More complex part geometry.
6. Engineering changes can be accommodated more gracefully.
7. Simple fixtures are required.
8. Shorter manufacturing lead times.
9. Reduced the part inventory.
10. Less floor space required.
11. Reduced the skill level of the operators.

• Disadvantages
1. Higher investment cost. (CNC machines are more expensive)
2. Higher maintenance efforts. (CNC machines are more technologically sophisticated)
3. Part programming issues. (Need for skilled programmers, time investment for each
new part, and repeat orders are easy because part program is already available)
4. Higher utilization of NC equipments.
10- NC part programming
• NC part programming consists of planning and documenting the
sequence of processing steps to be performed on an NC machine.
• It control the relative position of the tool and workpiece and
accomplish the other functions of the machine tool.
• Part programmer must have knowledge of machining as well as
geometry and trigonometry.
• Part programming can be accomplished using:
1) Manual part programming
2) Computer assist part programming
3) Part programming using CAD/CAM
4) Manual data input.
NC Coding System
It a low level machine language that can be understood by the MCU.
Binary numbers and binary coded decimal systems
•4 binary digit are required to represent the decimal numbers.
•How to convert the number 1250 (11 digit).
•The problem is the coding of decimal fractions.
•To deal with this problem in NC a combination of the binary and decimal
number system has been adapted (binary coded decimal, BCD).
•Each number is coded as a 4 digit binary number and added in sequence as
in the decimal number.
EIA and ISO coding standards
• 8 binary digit are used to represent all of the characters.
•There are two standards; Table 6.7 p.147 (Ref.; Groover).
1. the Electrical Industry Association system (EIA).
2. the International Standards Organization (ISO), ASCII (American
Standards Code for Information Interchange).
• A parity check helps to ensure that the tap punch mechanism has punched
a complete hole in all the required positions.
•The ISO is even parity (8th position), while the EIA is odd parity (5th
position).
EIA and ISO Coding Standards
Block Format

Organization of words within a block in NC part program

• Also known as tape format because the original formats were
designed for punched tape
• Word address format - used on all modern CNC controllers
– Uses a letter prefix to identify each type of word
– Spaces (or TAB) to separate words within the block
– Allows any order of words in a block
– Words can be omitted if their values do not change from the
previous block