Computer Numerical Control

• Numerical Control is a form of programmable automation, in which

– the mechanical actions of a machine tool are controlled by a program
containing coded alphanumeric data
– the alphanumeric data represent the relative positions between the
cutting tool and the workpart as well as other instructions needed to
operate the machine.
• The Numerical Control applications divide into two categories:
– Machine tool applications
– Nonmachine tool applications, such as assembly, drafting, and
inspection.
• Numerical control (NC) machine tools may be broadly divided into two
types.
– NC metal cutting machine tools
– NC metal forming machine tools
• The two common types of NC metal cutting machine tools are
– Turning centre
– Machining centre
 Turning Centre
• Turning centre is a numerically controlled lathe. It is capable of producing
cylindrically shaped parts in great volumes and high accuracy.
• It can be used to machine internal and external surfaces and it can be used
for operations like turning, facing, grooving, parting, boring, drilling, threading
of a rotating part using tools.
• It functions as an NC lathe, but it has versatile tooling and a number of
accessories like a part loading system and other attachments. Another
distinguishing feature is the coordinated movement of a number of controlled
axes.
Turning Centre
 Turning Centre (continued)

Work holding
• Work holding methods include chucks, collet
chucks, fixtures and so on.
• Shaft type workpieces may be held between
chuck and tailstock centre or may be clamped
in the chuck only.
• The most common type of chuck is the three-
jaw, self-centering, hydraulic chuck as shown
in Figure.
• The collet chuck is an ideal work-holding device for small parts where accuracy
is needed. Collets are available for holding hexagonal, square, and round stock.
• Fixtures are work-holding devices for odd-shaped or other hard to hold
workpieces. Fixtures may be held in the chuck or can be bolted directly to the
spindle.
Turning Centre (continued)
Three-jaw self centering hydraulic chuck
Turning Centre (continued)
Collet chuck
 Turning Centre (continued)

Tool holding
• A turret head is to hold and quickly index the
cutting tools.
• Each tool or tool position is numbered for
identification. When the tool needs to be
changed, the turret moves to a clearance
position and indexes, bringing the new tool to
the cutting position. They can move
bidirectionally to assure the fastest tool
indexing time.
• Some turning centres instead of using turret heads are equipped with tool
magazines and automatic tool changers.
Turning Centre (continued)
Turret head
 Turning Centre (continued)

Part handling
•The part handling devices include bar feeders, part loaders and unloaders,
robotic loading systems, part catchers and so on.
Bar feeders
•Bar feeders automatically load rough stock into the work holding device. The raw
stock is fed into the machine by use of pneumatic or hydraulic pressure. The stock
is fed the same distance each time through the use of stock stops. When stock
reaches the stock stop, the workholding device closes and clamps the workpiece
in place.
 Turning Centre (continued)
Part loaders and unloaders
•Individual part blanks can be automatically loaded using part loaders. Part
loaders take up less space than bar feeders, but the parts have to be cut to length
before loading. A part loader is an auxiliary arm that places the precut stock into
the chuck or collet. The auxiliary arm can also unload parts after the necessary
machining has been done.
Robotic loading systems
•The use of robotic loading equipment represents a
major trend in automated manufacturing. Robots can
be used to load and unload parts, retrieve parts from
pallets, and can even be used to change chuck jaws.
•Robots can communicate directly to the machine
tools by using their own controllers, switches and
sensors.
•Special fixtures are sometimes needed to use robotic
loading systems. Grippers need to be designed and
built so that the robot can handle different part
shapes. Some robots have automatic tool changing
capability os that they can even change grippers
automatically as required for different parts.
 Machining Centre
• Machining centre is a numerically controlled milling machine that is equipped with
a tool magazine and an automatic tool changer. It is a very versatile and productive
machine tool.
• It can be employed for various operations like milling, drilling, boring, tapping
operations using rotating tools. Plane and sculptured (3 –D) surfaces can be
machined.
• They may have (i) vertical spindle or (ii) horizontal spindle
Vertical spindle machining centre

• The vertical configuration of the spindle lends itself to quick, easy workpiece
setups. They are suitable for plate type of workpieces. One side of the workpiece
can be machined in a vertical spindle machine.
 Machining Centre

Vertical spindle machining centre

 Machining Centre (continued)
Horizontal spindle machining centre
• The horizontal configuration of the spindle lends itself to heavy depths of cuts on large
workpieces. It is often equipped with twin tables known as pallets. While one pallet is within
the machining envelope, the other pallet is swung free, allowing loading and / or unloading o
parts. The basic types of palletizing methods are the linear shuttle system and the rotary
shuttle system.

• The horizontal spindle machine can access four sides of a box type of workpiece. Gear
boxes and housing type workpieces are the most suitable types of workpieces that can be
machined in a horizontal axes machining centre.
• In some models of horizontal spindle machines, the headstock moves up and down the
column and sometimes the machining centres are designed with traveling columns.
• Tool magazine and automatic tool changers comprise important features in machining
centres.
 Machining Centre

Horizontal spindle machining centre

 Machining Centre (continued)
Tool changers
• Tool changers are an automatic storage and retrieval system for the cutting tools.
• Tool changers come in two types: carousal and chain.
• Carousal type tool changers are spindle direct tool changer, meaning that they do not
use auxiliary arms to change tools as shown in Figure. The carousal can be mounted
on the back or the side of the machine. Carousal tool changers are typically found on
vertical machining centres. When a tool change is commanded, the machine moves
to the tool change position and puts the current tool away. The carousal then rotates
to the position of the new tool and picks it up.
 Machining Centre (continued)
Tool changers (continued)
• Chain type carousals are found on horizontal machining centres as shown in Figure.

• Chain-type tool changers typically hold the tool in a

horizontal position and usually, but not always,
incorporate a pivot arm as shown in Figure.
• The arm rotates and picks up the new tool and
removes the old tool from the spindle, all in one
motion. The chain may be located on the side or top
of the machine tool.
Machining Centre (continued)
Tool changers (continued)
• Tools are lined up in a row within the chain type carousal
called tool magazine.
• The tool magazine automatically indexes to position a tool
for the next operation adjacent to the gripper arm.
 Machining Centre (continued)
Work-holding devices
• Work-holding techniques include vises, angle plate, direct workpiece mounting,
fixtures and so on.
Vises
• The vise may be the most common work holding device in the machine shop as
shown.

• The plain vise is used for holding work with parallel sides and is bolted directly to the
table using the T-slots in the machine table. Air or hydraulically operated vises can be
used in high production operations to increase productivity.
 Machining Centre (continued)
Angle plate
• Work that needs to be held at a 90o angle to the axis of travel is best held on an angle
plate as shown in Figure. An angle plate is an L-shaped piece of cast iron or steel that
has tapped holes or slots to provide a way to clamp parts to it.

Direct workpiece mounting

• Work that is too big or has an odd configuration is customarily bolted directly to the
table as shown in Figure.
 Machining Centre (continued)
Fixtures
• Fixtures are tools built exclusively to hold and accurately position a part. Theya re
typically found in a production atmosphere and can be built to hold one part or
thousands of parts, depending on the application. The fixtured part is usually of an
odd configuration, one that cannot be held in something as simple as a vice as shown
in Figure.