John T.

Parsons - Father of Numerical Control” , He directed the design and construction

of the first numerical control milling machine, under a US Air Force contract
Computer" - still meant a punched-card operated calculation machine
Numerical control - Can be defined as an operation of machine tools by means of
specifically coded instructions to the machine control system
Specifically Coded Instructions” - are combinations of the letters of alphabet, digits and selected
symbols, for example, a decimal point, the percent sign, or the parenthesis symbols
Numerical Control – uses fixed logical functions, built in and permanently wired within the
control unit. Hardwired. The functions cannot be changed by the part programmer or machine
operator.
Computerized numerical control – uses an internal micro processor. Softwired. The part
programmer or machine operator can change any program at the control unit.
Conventional – the operator sets up the machine and moves each cutting tool, using one or both
hands, to produce a part. Has features such as levers, handles, gears and dials. Challenge
maintaining dimensional tolerances and surface finish equality.
CNC – does not require the same physical movement. Does not need any levers or dials or
handles. Once the part program has been proven, It can be used any number of times over,
always returning consistent result.
ADVANTAGES OF NUMERICAL CONTROL
1. SETUP TIME REDUCTION
2. ACCURACY AND REPEATABILITY
3. CONTOURING COMPLEX SHAPES
4. LEAD TIME REDUCTION
5. CONSISTENT CUTTING TIME
6. GENERAL PRODUCTIVITY
7. SIMPLIFIED TOOLING AND WORK HOLDING
CNC MILLS - Has three axes designation: X, Y, and Z axes. sometimes called CNC milling
machines - are usually small, simple machines, without a tool changer or other automatic
features
CNC Machining Centers - has the ability to group several diverse operations into a single setup:
drilling, boring, counter boring, tapping, spot facing, and contour milling
Vertical Machining Centers- most suitable type of work for vertical are flat parts, either
mounted to the table fixture, or held in a vise or a chuck
Horizontal Machining Centers- for work that requires machining on two or more faces (sides)
in a single setup
LATHES AND TURNING CENTERS - Has two axes designation: X and Z axes. The part is
rotating about the machine center line. The cutting tool is normally stationary, mounted in a
sliding turret
CNC PROGRAMMER - The one doing the programming. Has the most responsibility in the

CNC machine shop. Often accountable for the production and quality parts from all CNC
operations. They are experienced machinists who have had a practical, hands-on experience as
machine tool operators. Know how to read technical drawings and can comprehend engineering
intent behind the design
CNC MACHINE OPERATOR - The one doing the actual setup and machining. Responsible for
tool and machine setup, for changing completed parts, and some in-process inspection
Milling machine - is a machine capable of a simultaneous cutting motion, using an end mill as
the primary cutting tool, along at least two axes at the same time
MACHINE AXES - Typically have at least three axes: X, Y, and Z
Four axis – a more complex but similar machine that is equipped with a fully rotating table (can
move simultaneously with the cutting motion of the primary axes
Horizontal boring mill - for boring operation , mainly lengthy bores
CNC lathes – designed to hold several tools in special turrets (tool station), have a milling
attachment (live tooling) indexable chuck, a sub-spindle, tailstock, steady rest and many other
features not always associated with a conventional lathe design
Numbers - are used to describe commands, functions, comments, and so on
RECTANGULAR COORDINATE SYSTEM - It is a concept used to define a planar 2D
point (two dimensions), using the XY coordinates, or a special 3D point (three dimensions),
using the XYZ coordinates
Plane - is a surface in which a straight line joining any two of its points will lie wholly on the
surface
Point of Origin - The exact point where the two perpendicular axes intersect. it is typically
called the program reference point (or program zero, part reference point, workpiece zero,
part zero
Quadrants - is any one of the four parts of the plane formed by the system by the system of
rectangular coordinates
MACHINE GEOMETRY - Defines the relationship of distances and dimensions between
fixed point of the machine and selectable point of the part
Axis Orientation-Milling
Operational Panel - rotary switches, toggle switches and push buttons.
Display Screen – with a keyboard or a keypad

ON/OFF SWITCH – power and control switch for the main power and control unit
CYCLE START – starts program execution or MDI command
EMERGENCY STOP – stops all machine activity and turns off power to the control unit
FEEDHOLD - temporarily stops motion of all axes
SINGLE BLOCK - allows program run one block at a time
OPTIONAL STOP – temporarily stops program execution
BLOCK SKIP – ignores blocks receded with a forward slash (/) in the program
DRY RUN – enables program testing at fast feedrates
SPINDLE OVERRIDE – overrides programmed spindle speed, usually within 50-120% range
FEEDRATE OVERRIDE – overrides programmed federate, usually within 0-200% range
CHUCK CLAMP – shows current status of the chuck clamping
TABLE CLAMP – shows current status of table clamping
Coolant switch – coolant control on/off/auto
Gear selection – shows current status of working gear range selection
Spindle rotation – indicates spindle rotation direction
Spindle orientation – manual orientation of the spindle
Tool change – switch allowing a manual tool change
Reference position – switches and lights relating to setup of machine, from reference position
Handle (MPG) – used for axis select and handle increment switches
Tailstock switch – or quill switch to manually position the tailstock
Indexing table switch – manually indexes machine table during setup
MDI mode – manual data input mode
AUTO mode – allows automatic operation
MEMORY mode – allows program execution from memory of the cnc unit
TAPE / EXT or DNC mode – allows program execution from an external device, such as a
desktop computer or a punched tape
EDIT mode – allows changes to be made to a program stored in cnc memory
MANUAL mode – allows manual operations during setup
JOG mode – selects jog mode for setup
RAPID mode – select rapid mode for setup
Memory access – key to allow program editing
Error lights – red light indicating an error
JOG MODE - Used to make the CNC machine much faster . This the mode is used to
manually perform the mainly three functions. Movement of Axis, tool indexing, spindle
rotation.
Servomechanism - This is an automatic closed loop control system
servo system - primarily consists of three basic components – a controlled device, an output
sensor, a feedback system
Patrick Hanratty - While working for General Electric developed a program he called DAC. The
first system which used interactive graphics and a numerical control programming system
Ivan Sutherland - designed a system that “broke new ground in 3D computer modeling and
visual simulation, which is the basis for CAD.” called his program Sketchpad and explained it,
“let designers use a light pen to create engineering drawings directly on a CRT.”
Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) - It is a vacuum tube containing one or more electron guns, which emit
electron beams that are manipulated to display images on a phosphorescent screen
ADAM - It was described as the “first commercially available integrated, interactive graphics
design, drafting, and manufacturing system.
Computer-aided manufacturing (cam) - It is the use of software and computer-controlled
machinery to automate a manufacturing process. focuses on how to make the products
Numerical Control (NC) - enables an operator to communicate with machine tools through a
series of numbers and symbols
CNC, or Computer Numerical Control, - encompasses the manufacturing process where
machines cut, carve and form parts based on computer codes that control the cutting tool’s speed
and movement.
CNC operators run and monitor machines, and CNC programmers create and run the codes for
them
CAD, or Computer-Aided Design, - designs the part to be machined by CNC machine
CAM, or the Computer-Aided Manufacturing, - is the use of software and computer-controlled
machinery to automate a manufacturing process. It focuses on how to make the products
Servomechanism - produces powerful, controlled movement, with highly accurate measurement
information