CNC TECHNOLOGY

and
CNC PROGRAMMING

MACHINING IS THE REMOVAL

OF MATERIALS IN FORMS OF
CHIPS FROM THE WORKPIECE
BY SHEARING WITH A SHARP
TOOL.

1
 The main function of a machine
tool is to control the workpiece-
cutting tool positional relationship in
such a way as to achieve a desired
geometric shape of the workpiece
with sufficient dimensional
accuracy.
3

Machine tool provides:

work holding
tool holding
relative motion between tool
and workpiece

primary motion
secondary motion

2
 Primary motion

Relative motion
between tool and
Secondary motion
workpiece

Cutting motion Feed motion

Cutting speed Feed rate

5

3
CLASSIFICATION OF THE CHIP REMOVING METHODS
ACCORDING TO THE RELATIVE MOTION

CLASSIFICATION OF MACHINE TOOLS

THOSE USING THOSE USING THOSE USING

SINGLE POINT MULTIPOINT ABRASIVE
TOOLS TOOLS TOOLS

lathes drilling m/c’s grinding m/c’s

shapers milling m/c’s honing m/c’s
planers broaching m/c’s etc.
boring m/c’s hobbing m/c’s
etc. etc.

4
 ISO MACHINE TOOL AXIS DEFINITION

ISO MACHINE TOOL AXES DEFINITIONS

AXIS MACHINE TOOL WITH SPINDLE MACHINE TOOL WITH NO

SPINDLE
Z axis of spindle, perpendicular to work holding
(+Z) as tool goes away from the work piece surface, (+Z) as tool goes away
from the workpiece

MACHINE TOOL MACHINE TOOL WITH

WITH ROTATING ROTATING TOOL
WORKPIECE

HORIZONTAL VERTICAL
AXIS AXIS
X radial and parallel horizontal and horizontal and parallel to and positive in the
to cross slide, parallel to parallel to the principal direction of cutting
(+X) when tool work holding work holding (primary motion)
goes away from surface, (+X) surface, (+X)
the axis of spindle to the right to the right
when viewed when viewed
from spindle from spindle
towards work towards
piece column
Y apply right hand rules
10

5
 RIGHT HAND RULE
Vertical Machine Horizontal Machine

11

STANDARD LATHE
COORDINATE SYSTEM

12

6
 STANDARD MILLING MACHINE
COORDINATE SYSTEM

13

NUMERICALLY CONTROLLED MACHINE

TOOLS:
An NC machine tool is functionally the same
as a conventional machine tool. The
technological capabilities NC machine tools
in terms of machining are no different from
those of conventional ones. The difference
is in the way in which the various machine
functions and slide movements are
controlled.
14

7
The functions and motions such as;

turning the spindle on and off

setting cutting speeds
setting feed rate
turning coolant on and off
moving tool with respect to workpiece

are performed by Machine Control Unit

(MCU) in NC machine tools.

15

INTRODUCTION TO
CNC

16

8
 DEFINITION
 In CNC (Computer Numerical Control), the
instructions are stored as a program in a
micro-computer attached to the machine.
 The computer will also handle much of the
control logic of the machine, making it
more adaptable than earlier hard-wired
controllers.

17

CNC APPLICATIONS
 Machining
2.5D / 3D
Turning ~ Lathes, Turning Centre
Milling ~ Machining Centres
 Forming
2D
Plasma and Laser Cutting
Blanking, nibbling and punching
3D
Rapid Prototyping
18

9
 SAMPLE
CNC MACHINES

19

CNC TURNING

20

10
 CNC MILLING

21

CNC LASER CUTTING

22

11
CNC PLASMA CUTTING

23

CNC PRESS

24

12
CNC RAPID PROTOTYPING

25

SAMPLE PRODUCTS
OF
CNC MANUFACTURING

26

13
 AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

Engine Block

27

AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY(Cont’d)

Different Products

28

14
 AEROSPACE INDUSTRY
Aircraft Turbine Machined by
5-Axis CNC Milling Machine

29

CNC MOLD MAKING

30

15
ELECTRONIC INDUSTRY

31

RAPID PROTOTYPING
PRODUCTS

32

16
 ADVANTAGES of CNC
 Productivity
Machine utilisation is increased
because more time is spent cutting
and less time is taken by positioning.
Reduced setup time increases
utilisation too.

33

ADVANTAGES of CNC
 Quality
Parts are more accurate.
Parts are more repeatable.
Less waste due to scrap.

34

17
 ADVANTAGES of CNC

 Reduced inventory
Reduced setup time permits smaller
economic batch quantities.
Lower lead time allows lower stock
levels.
Lower stock levels reduce interest
charges and working capital
requirements.
35

ADVANTAGES of CNC
 Machining Complex shapes
Slide movements under computer
control.
Computer controller can calculate
steps.
First NC machine built 1951 at MIT
for aircraft skin milling.

36

18
 ADVANTAGES of CNC
 Management Control
CNC leads to CAD
Process planning
Production planning

37

DRAWBACKS of CNC
 High capital cost
Machine tools cost $30,000 - $1,500,000
 Retraining and recruitment of staff
 New support facilities
 High maintenance requirements
 Not cost-effective for low-level production
on simple parts
 As geometric complexity or volume
increases CNC becomes more economical
 Maintenance personnel must have both
mechanical and electronics expertise
38

19
 CNC SYSTEM
ELEMENTS

39

CNC SYSTEM ELEMENTS

A typical CNC system consists of the
following six elements
 Part program
 Program input device
 Machine control unit
 Drive system
 Machine tool
 Feedback system
40

20
NC SYSTEM ELEMENTS

41

OPERATIONAL FEATURES of
CNC MACHINES

42

21
 PART PROGRAM
 A part program is a series of coded instructions
required to produce a part. It controls the
movement of the machine tool and the on/off
control of auxiliary functions such as spindle
rotation and coolant. The coded instructions are
composed of letters, numbers and symbols and
are arranged in a format of functional blocks as
in the following example
N10 G01 X5.0 Y2.5 F15.0
| | | | |
| | | | Feed rate (15 in/min)
| | | Y-coordinate (2.5")
| | X-coordinate (5.0")
| Linear interpolation mode
Sequence number
43

PROGRAM INPUT DEVICE

 The program input device is the
mechanism for part programs to be
entered into the CNC control. The
most commonly used program input
devices are keyboards, punched tape
reader, diskette drivers, throgh RS
232 serial ports and networks.

44

22
 MACHINE CONTROL UNIT
The machine control unit (MCU) is the heart of a
CNC system. It is used to perform the following
functions:

 Read coded instructions

 Decode coded instructions
 Implement interpolations (linear, circular, and
helical) to generate axis motion commands
 Feed axis motion commands to the amplifier
circuits for driving the axis mechanisms
 Receive the feedback signals of position and
speed for each drive axis
 Implement auxiliary control functions such as
coolant or spindle on/off, and tool change 45

TYPES of CNC CONTROL

SYSTEMS

 Open-loop control
 Closed-loop control

46

23
 OPEN-LOOP CONTROL
SYSTEM
 In open-loop control system step motors
are used
 Step motors are driven by electric pulses
 Every pulse rotates the motor spindle
through a certain amount
 By counting the pulses, the amount of
motion can be controlled
 No feedback signal for error correction
 Lower positioning accuracy

47

CLOSED-LOOP CONTROL
SYSTEMS
 In closed-loop control systems DC or
AC motors are used
 Position transducers are used to
generate position feedback signals
for error correction
 Better accuracy can be achieved
 More expensive
 Suitable for large size machine tools

48

24
 DRIVE SYSTEM
 A drive system consists of amplifier
circuits, stepping motors or
servomotors and ball lead-screws.
The MCU feeds control signals
(position and speed) of each axis to
the amplifier circuits. The control
signals are augmented to actuate
stepping motors which in turn rotate
the ball lead-screws to position the
machine table.
49

STEPPING MOTORS
 A stepping motor provides open-loop,
digital control of the position of a
workpiece in a numerical control machine.
The drive unit receives a direction input
(cw or ccw) and pulse inputs. For each
pulse it receives, the drive unit
manipulates the motor voltage and
current, causing the motor shaft to rotate
bya fixed angle (one step). The lead screw
converts the rotary motion of the motor
shaft into linear motion of the workpiece .
50

25
 STEPPING MOTORS

51

RECIRCULATING BALL
SCREWS
Transform rotational motion of the motor
into translational motion of the nut attached to the
machine table.

52

26
 RECIRCULATING BALL
SCREWS
 Accuracy of CNC
machines depends on
their rigid
construction, care in
manufacturing, and
the use of ball screws
to almost eliminate
slop in the screws
used to move portions
of the machine.
53

54

27
 POSITIONING
 The positioning resolution of a ball screw
drive mechanism is directly proportional to
the smallest angle that the motor can
turn.
 The smallest angle is controlled by the
motor step size.
 Microsteps can be used to decrease the
motor step size.
 CNC machines typically have resolutions
of 0.0025 mm or better.

55

MACHINE TOOL
 CNC controls are used to control
various types of machine tools.
Regardless of which type of machine
tool is controlled, it always has a
slide table and a spindle to control of
position and speed. The machine
table is controlled in the X and Y
axes, while the spindle runs along
the Z axis.
56

28
 FEEDBACK SYSTEM
 The feedback system is also referred
to as the measuring system. It uses
position and speed transducers to
continuously monitor the position at
which the cutting tool is located at
any particular time. The MCU uses
the difference between reference
signals and feedback signals to
generate the control signals for
correcting position and speed errors.
57

CNC MACHINES FEEDBACK

DEVICES

58

29
POTENTIOMETERS

59

POTENTIOMETERS

60

30
 ENCODERS

 A device used to convert linear

or rotational position information
into an electrical output signal.

61

ENCODERS

62

31
 RESOLVERS

 A resolver is a rotary
transformer that
produces an output
signal that is a
function of the rotor
position.

63

SERVOMOTOR with
RESOLVER

64

32
 VELOCITY FEEDBACK
 Tachometers:
Electrical output is proportional to
rate of angular rotation.
 Encoders, Resolvers,
Potentiometers:
Number of pulses per time is
proportional to rate change of
position.

65

CNC CUTTERS

 Turning center cutters

 Machining center cutters

66

33
TURNING CENTER CUTTERS
Types of cutters used on CNC turning
centers
 Carbides (and other hard materials)
insert turning and boring tools
 Ceramics

 High Speed Steel (HSS) drills and

taps

67

STANDART INSERT SHAPES

 V – used for profiling,
weakest insert, 2 edges per
side.
 D – somewhat stronger, used
for profiling when the angle
allows it, 2 edges per side.
 T – commonly used for
turning because it has 3
edges per side.
 C – popular insert because
the same holder can be used
for turning and facing. 2
edges per side.
 W – newest shape. Can turn
and face like the C, but 3
edges per side.
 S – Very strong, but mostly
used for chamfering because
it won’t cut a square
shoulder. 4 edges per side. 68

 R – strongest insert but least

commonly used

34
 TYPICAL TURNING,
THREADING and PARTING
TOOLS

69

MACHINING CENTER CUTTING

TOOLS
 Most machining
centers use some
form of HSS or
carbide insert endmill
as the basic cutting
tool.
 Insert endmills cut
many times faster
than HSS, but the
 HSS endmills leave a
better finish when side
cutting.
70

35
 MACHINING CENTER CUTTING
TOOLS (cont’d)
 Facemills flatten
large surfaces
quickly and with an
excellent finish.
Notice the engine
block being
finished in one
pass with a large
cutter.

71

MACHINING CENTER CUTTING

TOOLS (cont’d)
 Ball endmills (both
HSS and insert)
are used for a
variety of profiling
operations such as
the mold shown in
the picture.
 Slitting and side
cutters are used
when deep, narrow
slots must be cut.
72

36
 MACHINING CENTER CUTTING
TOOLS (cont’d)
Drills, Taps, and
Reamers
 Common HSS tools such as
drills, taps, and reamers
are commonly used on
CNC machining centers.
Note that a spot drill is
used instead of a
centerdrill. Also, spiral
point or gun taps are used
for through holes and
spiral flute for blind holes.
Rarely are hand taps used
on a machining center.

73

TOOL HOLDERS
 All cutting tools must be held in a
holder that fits in the spindle. These
include end mill holders (shown),
collet holders, face mill adapters,
etc. Most machines in the USA use a
CAT taper which is a modified NST
30, 40, or 50 taper that uses a pull
stud and a groove in the flange. The
machine pulls on the pull stud to
hold the holder in the spindle, and
the groove in the flange gives the
automatic tool changer something to
hold onto. HSK tool holders were
designed a number of years ago as
an improvement to CAT tapers, but
they are gaining acceptance slowly.
74

37
 CNC PROGRAMMING

75

CNC PROGRAMMING
 Offline programming linked to CAD
programs.
 Conversational programming by the
operator.
 MDI ~ Manual Data Input.
 Manual Control using jog buttons or
`electronic handwheel'.
 Word-Address Coding using standard G-
codes and M-codes.
76

38
 Basics of NC Part Programming:

During secondary motion, either the tool

moves relative to the workpiece or the
workpiece moves relative to the tool. In NC
programming, it is always assumed that the
tool moves relative to the workpiece no
matter what the real situation is.

77

The position of the tool is described

by using a Cartesian coordinate
system. If (0,0,0) position can be
described by the operator, then it is
called floating zero.

78

39
 In defining the motion of the tool
from one point to another,
either
absolute positioning mode or
incremental positioning mode
can be used.

79

1. Absolute positioning. In this mode, the

desired target position of the tool for a
particular move is given relative to the origin
point of the program.

2. Incremental positioning. In this mode, the

next target position for the tool is given
relative to the current tool position.

80

40
 Structure of an NC Part Program:
Commands are input into the controller in
units called blocks or statements.

Block Format:
1. Fixed sequential format
2. Tab sequential format
3. Word address format

81

EXAMPLE:
Assume that a drilling operation is to be
programmed as:

1. The tool is positioned at (25.4,12.5,0) by a

rapid movement.
2. The tool is then advanced -10 mm in the z
direction at a feed rate of 500 mm/min., with the
flood coolant on.
3.The is then retracted back 10 mm at the rapid
feed rate, and the coolant is turned off.

82

41
 1. Fixed sequential format
0050 00 +0025400 +0012500 +0000000 0000 00
0060 01 +0025400 +0012500 -0010000 0500 08
0070 00 +0025400 +0012500 +0000000 0000 09

2. Tab sequential format

0050 TAB 00 TAB +0025400 TAB +0012500 TAB +0000000 TAB TAB
0060 TAB 01 TAB TAB TAB -0010000 TAB 0500 TAB 08
0070 TAB 00 TAB TAB TAB -0000000 TAB 0000 TAB 09

3. Word address format

N50 G00 X25400 Y125 Z0 F0
N60 G01 Z-10000 F500 M08
N70 G00 Z0 M09
83

Modal commands: Commands issued in the

NC program that will stay in effect until it is
changed by some other command, like, feed
rate selection, coolant selection, etc.

Nonmodal commands: Commands that are

effective only when issued and whose
effects are lost for subsequent commands,
like, a dwell command which instructs the
tool to remain in a given configuration for a
given amount of time.
84

42
 CNC PROGRAMMING

85

INFORMATION NEEDED by a
CNC
1. Preparatory Information: units, incremental or
absolute positioning
2. Coordinates: X,Y,Z, RX,RY,RZ
3. Machining Parameters: Feed rate and spindle
speed
4. Coolant Control: On/Off, Flood, Mist
5. Tool Control: Tool and tool parameters
6. Cycle Functions: Type of action required
7. Miscellaneous Control: Spindle on/off, direction
of rotation, stops for part movement
This information is conveyed to the machine
through a set
of instructions arranged in a desired sequence –
Program. 86

43
 BLOCK FORMAT

Sample Block
N135 G01 X1.0 Y1.0 Z0.125 F5

 Restrictions on CNC blocks

 Each may contain only one tool move
 Each may contain any number of non-tool move
G-codes
 Each may contain only one feedrate
 Each may contain only one specified tool or
spindle speed
 The block numbers should be sequential
 Both the program start flag and the program
number must be independent of all other
commands (on separate lines) 87

 The data within a block should follow the

sequence shown in the above sample block

WORD-ADDRESS CODING
Example CNC
Program Each instruction to the machine
 N5 G90 G20
 N10 M06 T3 consists of a letter followed by a
 N15 M03 S1250 number.
 N20 G00 X1 Y1
 N25 Z0.1
Each letter is associated with a
 N30 G01 Z-0.125 F5
 N35 X3 Y2 F10 specific type of action or piece of
 N40 G00 Z1 information needed by the machine.
 N45 X0 Y0 Letters used in Codes
 N50 M05
 N55 M30 N,G,X,Y,Z,A,B,C,I,J,K,F,S,T,R,M

88

44
 G & M Codes
Example CNC
Program • G-codes: Preparatory Functions
 N5 G90 G20
 N10 M06 T3 involve actual tool moves.
 N15 M03 S1250
 N20 G00 X1 Y1 • M-codes: Miscellaneous
 N25 Z0.1
Functions – involve actions
 N30 G01 Z-0.125 F5
 N35 X3 Y2 F10 necessary for machining (i.e.
 N40 G00 Z1 spindle on/off, coolant on/off).
 N45 X0 Y0
 N50 M05
 N55 M30

89

G Codes
 G00 Rapid traverse
 G01 Linear interpolation
 G02 Circular interpolation,
CW
 G03 Circular interpolation,
CCW
 G04 Dwell
 G08 Acceleration
 G09 Deceleration
 G17 X-Y Plane
 G18 Z-X Plane
 G19 Y-Z Plane
 G20 Inch Units (G70)
 G21 Metric Units (G71)
 G40 Cutter compensation
– cancel
 G41 Cutter compensation
– left
 G42 Cutter compensation-
right
 G70 Inch format
 G71 Metric format
 G74 Full-circle
programming off
 G75 Full-circle
programming on
 G80 Fixed-cycle cancel
 G81-G89 Fixed cycles
 G90 Absolute dimensions
 G91 Incremental
dimensions 90

45
 Modal G-Codes

 Most G-codes set the machine in a

“mode” which stays in effect until it
is changed or cancelled by another
G-code. These commands are called
“modal”.

91

Modal G-Code List

 G00 Rapid Transverse  G43 Tool length
 G01 Linear Interpolation compensation (plus)
 G02 Circular Interpolation,  G44 Tool length
CW compensation (minus)
 G03 Circular Interpolation,  G49 Tool length
CCW compensation cancel
 G17 XY Plane  G80 Cancel canned cycles
 G18 XZ Plane  G81 Drilling cycle
 G19 YZ Plane  G82 Counter boring cycle
 G20/G70 Inch units  G83 Deep hole drilling cycle
 G21/G71 Metric Units  G90 Absolute positioning
 G40 Cutter compensation  G91 Incremental positioning
cancel
 G41 Cutter compensation left
 G42 Cutter compensation
right
 G43 Tool length
compensation (plus)

92

46
 M Codes
 M00 Program stop
 M01 Optional program stop
 M02 Program end
 M03 Spindle on clockwise
 M04 Spindle on counterclockwise
 M05 Spindle stop
 M06 Tool change
 M08 Coolant on
 M09 Coolant off
 M10 Clamps on
 M11 Clamps off
 M30 Program stop, reset to start

93

N Codes
 Gives an identifying number for each
block of information.

 It is generally good practice to

increment each block number by 5 or
10 to allow additional blocks to be
inserted if future changes are
required.
94

47
 X,Y, and Z Codes
 X, Y, and Z codes are used to
specify the coordinate axis.
 Number following the code defines
the coordinate at the end of the
move relative to an incremental or
absolute reference point.

95

I,J, and K Codes

 I, J, and K codes are used to specify
the coordinate axis when defining
the center of a circle.

 Number following the code defines

the respective coordinate for the
center of the circle.

96

48
 F,S, and T Codes
 F-code: used to specify the feed
rate

 S-code: used to specify the spindle

speed

 T-code: used to specify the tool

identification number associated with
the tool to be used in subsequent 97

operations.

Application of Some Codes

G01 Linear Interpolation
Format: N_ G01 X_ Y_ Z_ F_

 Linear Interpolation results in a

straight line feed move.

 Unless tool compensation is used,

the coordinates are associated with
the centerline of the tool.

98

49
 Application of Some Codes
G01 Linear Interpolation
 . As an example, for the motion that
occurs in x-y plane with the same
maximum speed for the x- and y-axis,
initial motion is at an angle of 45o to the
axes until motion in one of

 the axes is completed and then the

balance of the motion occurs in the other
axis. This is called point-to-point motion.

99

Application of Some Codes

G01 Linear Interpolation

100

50
 Application of Some Codes
G01 Linear Interpolation

G01 is another preparatory function to specify

that the tool should be moved to a specified
location along a straight line path. It is referred
to as linear interpolation.

This function is typically used to specify

machining of straight features such as turning
a cylindrical surface in turning, cutting a slot in
milling, etc.
101

Application of Some Codes

G01 Linear Interpolation

102

51
 G01 Linear Interpolation

N10 G00 X1 Z1
X
N15 Z0.1
N20 G01 Z-0.125 F5
N25 X2 Z2 F10
Z

103

G02 Circular Interpolation

 G02 is also a preparatory function to
specify that the tool should be moved to
a specified location along a circular path in
a clockwise direction. In order to specify
the path to the MCU, the end point of the
arc and the location of the center of the
arc should be specified. Within the block in
which the G02 code is programmed, the
center of the arc is given by specifying its
location relative to the start of the arc.
104

52
G02 Circular Interpolation (CW)

 The G02 command

requires an endpoint and a
radius in order to cut the
arc.
 I,J, and K are relative to
the start point.

N_ G02 X2 Y1 I0 J-1
F10
or
N_ G02 X2 Y1 R1

105

G02 Circular Interpolation (CW)

106

53
 Canned Cycles
The sequence of some machining operations is may
be the same for any part and for any machine. For
example, drilling a hole involves the following steps:

Position the tool above the point where the hole will be
drilled

Set the correct spindle speed

Feed the tool into the workpiece at a controlled feed

rate to a predetermined depth

Retract the tool at a rapid rate to just above the point

where the hole started

107

Some Commonly Used Canned Cycle

Code Function Down feed At bottom Retracti
on
G81 Drilling Continuous No action Rapid
feed
G82 Spot face, Continuous Dwell Rapid
counterbore feed
G83 Deep hole drilling Peck No action Rapid
G84 Tapping Continuous Reverse Feed
feed spindle rate
G85 Through boring(in Continuous No action Feed
& out) feed rate
G86 Through boring(in Continuous Stop Rapid
only) feed spindle
108

54
 G81 ILLUSTRATION

109

Three Main parts of a CNC

program

Part 1- Program Petup

 N5 G90 G21 (Absolute units, metric)

 N10 M06 T2 (Stop for tool change,

use tool # 2)
 N15 M03 S1200 (Turn the spindle on CW
to 1200 rpm)
110

55
 Three Main parts of a CNC
program

Part 2- Chip Removal

 N20 G00 X1 Y1 (Rapid to X1,Y1 from
origin point)
 N25 Z0.125 (Rapid down to Z0.125)
 N30 G01 Z-0.125 F100 (Feed down to Z-
0.125 at 100 mm/min)
 N35 G01 X2 Y2 (Feed diagonally to
X2,Y2)
 N40 G00 Z1 (Rapid up to Z1)
 N45 X0 Y0 (Rapid to X0,Y0)
111

Three Main parts of a CNC

program

Part 3- System Shutdown

 N50 M05 (Turn the spindle off)

 N55 M00 (Program stop)

112

56
EXAMPLE OPERATION on CNC
MILLING MACHINE

113

G-CODE PROGRAM
 First pass : conventional
mill to a depth of 0.125
around edge profile. Tool 1
is a ½ inch dia. end mill.

%
:1002
N5 G90 G20
N10 M06 T1
N15 M03 S1200
N20 G00 X0.125 Y0.125
N30 Z0.125
N35 G01 Z-0.125 F5
N40 X3.875
N45 Y4.125
N50 X0.125
N55 Y0.125

114

57
 Second pass:
conventional mill to
a depth of 0.25
around edge
profile.

N35 Z-0.250
N40 X3.875
N45 Y4.125
N50 X0.125
N55 Y0.125
N60 Z0.125 115

 Third pass:
conventional mill to
a depth of 0.125
around pocket
profile.

N65 G00 X1.25

Y1.0
N70 G01 Z-0.125
F5
N75 X1.75
N80 Y2.5
N85 X1.25
N90 Y1.0 116

N95 Z0.125

58
  Fourth pass: climb
mill to a depth of
0.125 across
remaining
material.

N100 Y2.125
N105 X2.625
N110 Z0.125
N115 G00 X-5 Y-5
Z5
N120 M05
N125 M30
117

Advanced features:

 Execution of the part of the program

in a rotated or mirrored position.
 Ability to scale the program and
produce larger or smaller programs.
 Three dimensional circular
interpolation which produces a helical
shape.
 Parabolic and cubic interpolation.

118

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 Program Loading:

 Through keyboard
 Through punched tape reader
 Through diskette drive
 Through RS 232 serial port
 Through network interface card

119

Direct Numerical Control (DNC):

 A system in which a central computer
downloads the NC programs block by
block to many NC machine tools
simultaneously is called Direct
Numerical Control (DNC) system.

120

60
 Direct Numerical Control (DNC):

 This system used to work with the early

NC machine tools which can not read
more than a block of information at a
time. The central computer feed the
program information one block at a time.
When the machine execute the
information, the next block of
information would be fed.

121

Distributed Numerical Control (DNC):

 Distributed NC is known by the same

acronym as Direct Numerical Control
(DNC). After the introduction of CNC, the
machine tools have had the capability of
storing large amount of information.
Therefore, there have been no need to
have drip feed information system, like,
Direct Numerical Control. Instead,
Distributed Numerical Control is
introduced. In such a system, a host
computer communicate with many CNC
machine tools via networks and
download or upload programs.
122

61
 Distributed Numerical Control (DNC):

 With Distributed Numerical Control

systems, it is possible to monitor the
activities in individual CNC machine tools
on host computer.
 Therefore, better shop floor control can
be achieved.

123

Computer Aided Part Programming:

 NC program preparation may be tedious

and difficult if the part to be machined
has a complex geometry. The main
difficulty is to find out the cutter
locations during the machining.
Computers may be used to assist the
programmers in preparing the NC codes.

124

62
 Advantages of applying computer-aided
part programming include the following:

 1. It reduces the manual calculations

involves in determining the geometric
characteristics of the part.
 It provides the cutter path simulation.
 It provides tool collision checking.
 It shortens the program preparation
time.
 It makes the program preparation easier. 125

 The Aerospace Industries Association

sponsored the work that led to the first
part programming language, developed
in MIT in 1955.
 This was called: Automatically
Programmed Tools (APT).
 APT is an English like simple
programming language which basically
produce the Cutter Location (CL) data.
 Using the cutter location data, the
program can generate the actual NC
codes by using a postprocessor .
126

63
 CAD/CAM Based Part Programming:

 The output of any CAD package include

the geometric data of the part to be
machined. Therefore, many CAD/CAM
package can produce cutter location (CL)
data to be used for NC code generation.
 There is still to be a process planning
module for a workable NC code
generation.
 Some of the CAD/CAM packages that
have the NC code generation capabilities
are Computervision, CATIA, CADAM,
ProEngineer, MechanicalDesktop (Auto 127

Desk).

64