Computer Numerical Control (CNC) is a process where a computer program controls machine tools like lathes, mills, grinders and more. The CNC program controls motions, speeds, feeds and functions. CNC is widely used in machine tools and also in non-machine tools like welding machines and measuring devices. Benefits of CNC include high accuracy, flexibility, reduced errors and simpler setups. A basic CNC system has three parts - a program that specifies positions and motions, a machine control unit to run the program, and the machine tool itself. Part programs are written manually or with computer assistance. Early CNC used punched tapes, then computers directly linked to controllers, and now external computers can feed programs to machine
Computer Numerical Control (CNC) is a process where a computer program controls machine tools like lathes, mills, grinders and more. The CNC program controls motions, speeds, feeds and functions. CNC is widely used in machine tools and also in non-machine tools like welding machines and measuring devices. Benefits of CNC include high accuracy, flexibility, reduced errors and simpler setups. A basic CNC system has three parts - a program that specifies positions and motions, a machine control unit to run the program, and the machine tool itself. Part programs are written manually or with computer assistance. Early CNC used punched tapes, then computers directly linked to controllers, and now external computers can feed programs to machine
Computer Numerical Control (CNC) is a process where a computer program controls machine tools like lathes, mills, grinders and more. The CNC program controls motions, speeds, feeds and functions. CNC is widely used in machine tools and also in non-machine tools like welding machines and measuring devices. Benefits of CNC include high accuracy, flexibility, reduced errors and simpler setups. A basic CNC system has three parts - a program that specifies positions and motions, a machine control unit to run the program, and the machine tool itself. Part programs are written manually or with computer assistance. Early CNC used punched tapes, then computers directly linked to controllers, and now external computers can feed programs to machine
Computer Numerical Control (CNC) is a process where a computer program controls machine tools like lathes, mills, grinders and more. The CNC program controls motions, speeds, feeds and functions. CNC is widely used in machine tools and also in non-machine tools like welding machines and measuring devices. Benefits of CNC include high accuracy, flexibility, reduced errors and simpler setups. A basic CNC system has three parts - a program that specifies positions and motions, a machine control unit to run the program, and the machine tool itself. Part programs are written manually or with computer assistance. Early CNC used punched tapes, then computers directly linked to controllers, and now external computers can feed programs to machine
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Definition
Computer Numerical Control (CNC) is one in which the
functions and motions of a machine tool are controlled by means of a prepared program containing coded alphanumeric data. CNC can control the motions of the workpiece or tool, the input parameters such as feed, depth of cut, speed, and the functions such as turning spindle on/off, turning coolant on/off.
Applications
The applications of CNC include both for machine tool
as well as non-machine tool areas. In the machine tool category, CNC is widely used for lathe, drill press, milling machine, grinding unit, laser, sheet-metal press working machine, tube bending machine etc. Highly automated machine tools such as turning center and machining center which change the cutting tools automatically under CNC control have been developed. In the non-machine tool category, CNC applications include welding machines (arc and resistance), coordinate measuring machine, electronic assembly, tape laying and filament winding machines for composites etc. Advantages and Limitations
The benefits of CNC are
(1) high accuracy in manufacturing, (2) short production time, (3) greater manufacturing flexibility, (4) simpler fixturing, (5) contour machining (2 to 5 -axis machining), (6) reduced human error.
ELEMENTS OF A CNC A CNC
A CNC system consists of three basic components
(Figure 2) :
1 . Part program 2 . Machine Control Unit (MCU) 3 . Machine tool (lathe, drill press, milling machine etc) Part Program
The part program is a detailed set of commands to be
followed by the machine tool. Each command specifies a position in the Cartesian coordinate system (x,y,z) or motion (workpiece travel or cutting tool travel), machining parameters and on/off function. Part programmers should be well versed with machine tools, machining processes, effects of process variables, and limitations of CNC controls. The part program is written manually or by using computerassisted language such as APT (Automated Programming Tool). History of CNC
1949 US Air Force asks MIT to develop a "numerically controlled" machine.
1980- CNC machines (computer used to link directly to controller)
1990- DNC: external computer “drip feeds” control programmer to machine tool controller Najim, N. A., Al-Naimi, M. A., & Alnaji, L. (2012). Impact of Intellectual Capital on Realizing University Goals in a Sample of Jordanian Universities. European Journal of Business and Management, 4(14), 153-162.
Srivastava, A. K., Veldhuis, S. C., & Elbestawit, M.
A. (1995). Modelling geometric and thermal errors in a five-axis CNC machine tool. International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture, 35(9), 1321-1337.
