CNC Cells

Created by Peter Bates

What is a CNC Cell

 A CNC cell is a grouping of

multiple CNC machines, working
together.
 Often aided by conveyers or
robots to move materials
around.
 CNC Cell’s use less resources.
 Because of this they have lower
operating costs.
 Because of the automation, CNC
Cells often have better
repeatability the manual
operations.
 Tool
Compensation
What is Tool Compensation

 Tool compensation refers to

the allowances made by the
CNC machine the size of
the tool.
 CNC’s always work from the
center of the tool, so
offsets are required.
 The cutting tools will run
along the programmed line
unless offsets are added.
- No Offset - Offset
Cutter is on the Cutter is moved off  Without offsets work may
centre of the the programmed line be cut smaller than
programmed line intended.
 Cutter Radius Compensation

 Many CNC’s use radius compensation

to account for tool size.
 G41 - executes cutter radius G40 G41 G42
compensation to the left. (when
climb milling)
 G42 - executes cutter radius
No Cutter Offset
compensation to the right. (When Applied (Cut inside Cutter Offset
conventional milling) of intended Applied (G41)
profile)
 G40 - cancels cutter radius
compensation.
 It is important to use the correct g
code to avoid cutting a part to the
wrong profile.
Tool Length Compensation

• Tool z,0 position may not be at the

Tool Length Register Z Offset end of the tool.
H1 -12.628 • To avoid incorrect depth cuts offsets
are used to position the length of
H2 -6.358 the tool correctly from the
H3 2.785 workpiece.
H4 6.894 • Tool length compensation is a single
variable, that can be saved to the
H5 -1.567 machine.
H6 7.125 • G43 to manually allocated length
H7 0.667 offset.
• G49 to use no offset
Tool Nose Radius Compensation
 All tool assumed to have 0
radius, resulting in inaccuracy's,
if not compensated for.
 As with Cutter radius
compensation, G codes G40, G41
and G42 are used.
 Tool radiuses are stored in the
machines offset table and when
G41 or G42 are called they
calculate the correct amount of
tool compensation.
Tools intended path.
Cut Line.
As the work piece is to
the Right of the tool G
code G41 would be used
to offset the tool left.
Tools intended path.
Cut Line.
As the work piece is to
the left of the tool G
code G41 would be used
to offset the tool left.