NC STATE UNIVERSITY

CNC
Computer Numerical Control
Part II

Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering

NC STATE UNIVERSITY

Recall from last time…

Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering

NC STATE UNIVERSITY

Computer Numerical Control

“A form of programmable automation in which the mechanical actions

of a piece of equipment are controlled by a program containing coded
alphanumeric data” -- Groover
• The data represent relative positions between a workhead and a
workpart
– Workhead = tool or other processing element
– Workpart = object being processed
• Operating principle is to control the motion of the workhead relative to
the workpart and to control the sequence in which the motions are
carried out

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover, “Fundamentals

of Modern Manufacturing 2/e”
Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering
NC STATE UNIVERSITY

Components of an NC System, continued. . .

• Machine Control Unit (MCU) - microcomputer that stores and

executes the program by converting each command into actions by
the processing equipment, one command at a time

• Machine Tool (or processing equipment) - accomplishes the

sequence of processing steps to transform starting workpart into
completed part

• Part Program - the detailed set of commands to be followed by the

processing equipment

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover,

“Fundamentals of Modern Manufacturing 2/e”
Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering
NC STATE UNIVERSITY

CNC Part Programming Techniques

1. Manual part programming

2. Computer-assisted/aided (CAM) part
programming

In either instance, the result (code output)

should be the same!

Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering

NC STATE UNIVERSITY

Part Programming

Uses basic numerical data and special alphanumeric

codes to define the steps in the process

Manual Part Programming

• Suited to simple point-to-point machining jobs, such
as drilling operations, and basic interpolative
movements, such as straight lines and arcs

Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering

NC STATE UNIVERSITY

Part Program
Instructions needed by the machine tool to be able to
create the intended geometry
Elements to consider when we program…The SETUP…
• Coordinate system… What is our machining orientation?
– The primary planes for machining (G17/G18/G19)
– Positioning
• Absolute or Relative/Incremental (G90/G91)

• A “home” position from where the axes originate

– The reference location for machine movements
– Typically denoted by G5x
• Tool callouts (M06 T??)
• Axis movement speeds (feed rate)
• Spindle rotation direction & Speed (RPM of tool)
Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering
NC STATE UNIVERSITY

Part Program …cont.

Instructions needed by the machine tool to be able
to create the intended geometry
Elements to consider when we program…The END…
• Bringing the tool/part to a “safe” location
• Turning off movements and ancillary functions
(e.g. coolant)
• Reset to machine defaults (M30)

Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering

NC STATE UNIVERSITY

Let’s look into further attributes that

will drive our programming and
machine needs…

Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering

NC STATE UNIVERSITY

Classification of NC System

Classification of NC machine tools can be

done according to different criteria:

• Type of machine/ motion control

• Method of programming

• Type of controller

Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering

NC STATE UNIVERSITY

Type of Machine/Motion Control

• Point-to-Point

• Continuous Path (Contouring)

• Straight Cut (Single Axis Control)

Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering

 NC STATE UNIVERSITY

Tool Movement & Interpolation

FIGURE 14.10 Movement of tools in numerical control
machining. (a) Point-to-point system: The drill bit drills a
hole at position 1, is then retracted and moved to position
2, and so on. (b) Continuous path by a milling cutter; note
that the cutter path is compensated for by the cutter
radius. This path can also compensate for cutter wear.

FIGURE 14.11 Types of interpolation in

numerical control: (a) linear; (b) continuous path
approximated by incremental straight lines; and
(c) circular.

Manufacturing Processes for Engineering Materials, 5th ed.

Kalpakjian • Schmid
© 2008, Pearson Education
Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering
NC STATE UNIVERSITY

Programming Method

• Incremental

• Absolute

Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering

NC STATE UNIVERSITY

“Block”-Formatted Syntax
A set of instructions or blocks of information
* An instruction to perform a motion or function

• Sequence Number (label, or line #)

• Preparatory Functions- G functions:
– Sets the mode of operation
– G00, G01, G02, G03, etc.
• Coordinates: X, Y, and Z (G90)
D X, D Y, D Z (G91)
• Auxiliary Modifiers: I, J, K
• Feed Rate- F word
• Cutting Speed OR Spindle RPM - S word
• Tool Number- T word
• Miscellaneous (Auxiliary) Functions-
– M words- Control the ancillary activities of the
machine, like coolant pump, chip removal, etc.
– M00, M06, M30,….

Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering

NC STATE UNIVERSITY

CNC Coordinate System

• Consists of three linear axes (x, y, z) of Cartesian coordinate
system, plus three rotational axes (a, b, c)
– Rotational axes are used to orient workpart or workhead to
access different surfaces for machining

©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M. P. Groover, “Fundamentals of Modern Manufacturing 2/e”

Most CNC systems do not support all six axes

Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering
NC STATE UNIVERSITY

X, Y, and other Axes

• X axis- Motion in horizontal surface and parallel

to workhoding surface
– Milling- Longitudinal- Left and right
– Lathe- Radial direction
• Y axis- Perpendicular to both X and Z
• Rotary Axes a,b,c- Around axes parallel to X, Y,
and Z
• Secondary Slide Motions (u,v,w)

Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering

NC STATE UNIVERSITY

Z- Axis

• Parallel to the principal spindle of the

machine.
– Milling machine- Axis of tool
– Lathe/Grinder- Axis of Work
• No Spindle (ie:Planer)- Z axis perpendicular
to work holding surface

Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering

NC STATE UNIVERSITY

Manual Part Programming Example 1

Sequence of Operations
• Mill the L-shaped slot of the part 3.0. in. 0.375 in.
• Tool starting position is: Tool start position
X=0. Y=0. Z=4.
• Start machining at the top using 0.5
inch Dia. end mill. (one pass) 0.5 in.

• Part thickness is 0.75 inch

2.5 in.
R 0.25 in.
• Feed rate: 8 ipm
• Spindle Speed: 800 rpm

0.75 in.
• Use the bottom of the lower left corner
R 0.25
of the part as zero
1.0 in. 1.5 in.
0.75 in.
XY zero
G20- Inch unit programming
datum
G90- Absolute input programming

Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering

NC STATE UNIVERSITY

3.0. in. 0.375 in.

Tool start position

0.5 in.
2.5 in.

R 0.25 in.
0.75 in.

R 0.25

1.0 in. 1.5 in.

0.75 in.
XY zero
datum

Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering

NC STATE UNIVERSITY

Manual Part Programming Example 1

G90 G20

0.375 in.
M06 T01
3.0. in.
Tool start position G00 X0.Y0.Z4.
X1.000 Y3.000 Z1.000
0.5 in. M03 S800
G01 Z0.375 F8
2.5 in.

R 0.25 in.

Y0.750
X2.5
0.75 in.

R 0.25 (or G91 X1.50)

1.0 in. 1.5 in.
XY zero
0.75 in. G00 Z1.00
datum
X0.0 Y0.000 Z4.00
M30

Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering

NC STATE UNIVERSITY

Manual Part Programming Example 2

125
Sequence of Operations
– Drill three holes.
– Tool starting position is:
X=0. Y=-50. Z=150. 30.0R
– Use 7.0 mm drill size (hole size)
– Part thickness is 10 mm 7.0 dia.(3

90
places)
– Feed rate: 0.05 mm/rev

60
– Spindle Speed: 1000 rpm

30
– Use the bottom of the lower left corner of
the part as zero
70
G21- mm unit programming
G90- Absolute input programming 120
160
10

Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering

NC STATE UNIVERSITY

Manual Part Programming Example 2

G90 G21 Y

M06T01 100

G00 X70 Y30.0 Z15.0 (1st Hole Location) 35,90

M03 S1000 Arc Center Pt.

G01 Z-5. F0.05 70,60 130,60

50 for ref. only
G00 Z15.
X70. Y60. (2nd Hole Location) 70,30 120,30

(or G91 Y30.) 0 160,0

X
G01 Z-5. F0.05 0 50 100 150

Z
G00 Z15.
20
X120.0 Y30 (3rd Hole Location)
10

G01 Z-5. 0 X/Y

G00 Z15.
X0.0 Y-50.0 Z150.
M30
Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering
NC STATE UNIVERSITY
Manual Part Programming
Example 3
Operations & Assumptions 125

• Mill the periphery of the part in a

CCW direction 30.0R
• Tool starting position is:
7.0 dia.(3
X=0 Y=-50 Z=150

90
places)

60
(Cutting should start at a reference
location on the part. Assume this corner

30
to be X0, Y0)
• Use a 20mm end mill 70
• Part thickness is 10mm(top is Z0) 120

• Feed rate: 200 mm/min 160

• Spindle Speed: 1000 rpm 10

Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering

NC STATE UNIVERSITY

Example 3 is your in-class assignment

Pair up with a classmate and determine the centerpoint path
(yes, G-code) that the tool must take in order to go
“around” the perimeter of the part, hence creating the
geometry shown.

+Y

+X Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering

NC STATE UNIVERSITY

Use the following code to guide you in this task. In

other words, plug this into the NCViewer to show the
baseline geometry Ythat you are trying to achieve.
100

35,90

G00 X0.0 Y-50.0.Z-10.0

G01 Y0.0 F200.
50 70,60 130,60
X160.0
Y60.0
70,30 120,30
G03 X130 Y90 R30.0
0
G01 X35.0 0 50 100 150
160,0
X

G01 X0.0 Y0.0 Z

G00 Z150.0
20
10
0 X/Y

Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering