STUDY OF CNC MACHINES

EXPT. NO: 1
DATE :

AIM:
To study the basic components and details of CNC machine.
BASIC COMPONENTS:
An operational CNC machine consist of
i) Program of instruction
ii) Machine control unit
iii) Machine tool.
PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION:
It is the detailed step by step instruction which tell the machine tool
what to do. The program can input to the system either by manual
data input or by a punched tape.
MACHINE CONTROL UNIT:
It is also called as the controller unit. It is considered as the brain of
the machine. It reads the part program and controls the machine tool
operation. It consists of two units. (1) Data processing unit (2) Control
loop unit.
CONTROL LOOP UNIT:
The control loop unit receives the data from data processing unit and
converts it into control signals. The data usually provides the control

1
information such as the new required position of each axis, its
direction of motion and velocity and auxillary control signals to relays.
MACHINE TOOL:
The machine which performs the machining operation is called
machine tool. The machine tool consists of workable and spindle as
well as the motor. It also includes the cutting tool work fixture and
other auxiliary equipment needed in the operation.

RESULT:
Thus the basic components of CNC machine have been
studied

2
 PART PROGRAMMING FUNDAMENTALS
(CNC TURNING)

EXPT. NO: 2
DATE :

AIM:
To know about part programming fundamentals for CNC
turning.

1. CO-ORDINATE SYSTEM FOR A CNC LATHE:

Machining of the work piece by an NC programming requires a co-
ordinate system to be applied to the machine tool. As all machine tool
have more than one slide, it is important that each slide is identified
individually. There are three planes in which movements can take
place:
(1.) Longitudinal
(2.) Transverse
(3.) Vertical.
Each plane is assigned a letter and is referred to an axis (i.e.)
(1.) Axis-x
(2.) Axis-y
(3.) Axis-z

3
The three axis are identified by the upper case x, y and z and the
direction of movement along each axis specified as either (+) or (-).
The three axes are always at right angles and parallel to work holding
surface. The z-axis is at right angles to both x and y axis.
2. MACHINE ZERO POINT:
The manufacturers of the machine specify machine zero point. This is
zero point for the co-ordinate system and reference point in the
machine on turning the lathe. The machine zero point is generally at
the center of the spindle nose face. The main spindle axis represents
the z-axis, and the face determines x-axis.
3. WORK PIECE ZERO POINT:
The point determines the work piece co-ordinate system in relation to
the machine zero point. The work piece zero point is chosen by the
programmer and the input to the system.
4. NC PROGRAM BUILT UP:
In an NC program, the machining system operations for
producing a part on the machine tool are laid down in a form that the
control system can understand. A program is composed of several
blocks. A block is a collection of NC works. An NC word is collection
of address, letter and sequence of number.

BASIC COMPONENTS:
An operational CNC machine consist of
iv) Program of instruction
v) Machine control unit

4
 vi) Machine tool.

PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION:
It is the detailed step by step instruction which tell the machine tool
what to do. The program can input to the system either by manual
data input or by a punched tape.

MACHINE CONTROL UNIT:

It is also called as the controller unit. It is considered as the brain of
the machine. It reads the part program and controls the machine tool
operation. It consists of two units. (1) Data processing unit (2) Control
loop unit.

CONTROL LOOP UNIT:

The control loop unit receives the data from data processing unit and
converts it into control signals. The data usually provides the control
information such as the new required position of each axis, its
direction of motion and velocity and auxiliary control signals to relays.

MACHINE TOOL:
The machine which performs the machining operation is called
machine tool. The machine tool consists of workable and spindle as
well as the motor. It also includes the cutting tool work fixture and
other auxiliary equipment needed in the operation.

5
CNC Systems:

 Point-to-point control is the positioning of the tool from one

point to another within a coordinate system. Most often used for
positioning to a point where a manual machining operation such
as drilling or boring would occur.

 Straight-cut control has the ability move a tool, while engaged,

straight in all axes of the machine and has the ability to do
angles of 45 degrees.
 Contouring control systems generate a continuously controlled
tool path by interpolating intermediate points or coordinates.
Interpolating means the ability to generate the points that make
up a path.

Cutting Data and Formulae:

Here are some of the most common terms used for expressing
cutting data:

 Spindle speed - Spindle speed is the rotational speed of

the spindle and tooling. This value is usually expressed in
RPM. (Revolutions per Minute).

 Feed rate value - The feed rate value is the numerical

6
 value at which a tool will traverse a work piece. It is
usually expressed in either IPM (Inches per Minute) or
IPR (Inches Per Revolution).

 Cutting speed - Cutting speed is the rotational speed of

the cutting tool or work piece. It can be stated as either
RPM or SFM. (Surface Feet Per Minute).

 Depth of Cut - Depth of cut is the distance the tool tip is

engaged into the wor piece. It is incorporated into the X,
Y, and Z values in a CNC program. Separate from the
program, it can be expressed in inches or mm.

Tooling Requirements:

Tooling requirements and selection are based on part

restrictions and industry manufacturing practices. Most of these
ideas are common sense thoughts. Good CNC programmers
and operators should be aware of them.
 Know the material to be machined and its characteristics.
 Use industry standard catalog tooling to cut costs.
 Make use of technical services offered by tooling
manufacturers.
 Quality of the fixture should be based on the number of
pieces that will eventually be produced.

7
  Always use the right tool for the right machining
operation.
 Keep spares or backups of tooling in the event
resharpening is needed or tool breakage occurs.
 Keep an assortment of tooling in case one type does not
perform the job as desired.
 Use high speed steel tools on easily machined materials.
 Use carbide tools on difficult to cut materials.
 Use cobalt or oxide coated tools for exotic alloys.
 Use insert type tooling where possible to cut costs.
 Consider using reamers, instead of boring bars, on lathe
applications where chatter and chip control may be a
problem.
 Be aware of the flexing that occurs with long length tools.
Extra passes may be required to eliminate tapering and
chattering.

Unit Systems and Input Modes:

 Unit Systems are the units of measurement to be used for the

CNC program. All machines understand both English and
Metric standards. When programming in english units you are
using inches. And in metric its the millimeter (mm.). The CNC
machine needs to be told which units are being used. Some
machines are automatically set-up at the factory for inches or

8
 mm. Normally at the beginning of a CNC program you will see
either; G70 to specify inches or G71 to specify mm..
 Input modes refer to the type of coordinate information that is
input into the program for the CNC machine. There are two
types.
 Absolute input, designated by the G90 code, specifies
distances from the origin or program zero point. Absolute is the
most common mode.
 Incremental input, designated by the G91 code, specifies
distances and directions based on the previous point as an
origin. Incremental input is sometime called point-to-point. All
CNC systems can be switched from absolute to incremental
mode and back unlimited times within a program.

Other input modes such as Helical also exist

CHARACTER MEANING

9
 A ROTATION ABOUT X AXIS
B ROTATION ABOUT Y AXIS
C ROTATION ABOUT Z AXIS
D&E ROTATION ABOUT ADDITIONAL AXIS
F FEED
PREPARATION FUNCTION IDENTIFYING
G
THE ACTION OF EXCUTED
H UN ASSIGNED
INTERPOLATION PARAMETER
I
THREAD PITCH PARALLEL
J THREAD PITCH PARALLEL TO Y AXIS
K THREAD PITCH PARALLEL TO Z AXIS
L UN ASSIGNED
M AUXILARY FUNCTION
N BLOCK NUMBER
O NOT USED
THREAD MOVEMENT PARALLEL TO X,Y
P,Q,R AND Z AXIS. P AND Q ARE ALSO USED AS
PARAMETERS IN CYCLES
S SPINDLE SPEED
T TOOL
SECOND MOVEMENT PARALLEL TO X,Y,Z
U,V,W
AXIS
X MOVEMENT IN X AXIS
Y MOVEMENT IN Y AXIS
Z MOVEMENT IN Z AXIS

MISCELLANIOUS FUNCTION (M CODES):

M codes are instructions describing miscellaneous functions like calling the tool,
spindle rotation, coolant supply etc.
CODES FUNCTION

10
 M00 PROGRAM STOP
M01 OPTIONAL STOP
M02 PROGRAM END
M03 SPINDLE FORWARD (CLOCK WISE)
M04 SPINDLE FORWARD (COUNTER CLOCK WISE)
M05 SPINDLE STOP
M06 TOOL CHANGE
M08 COOLANT ON
M09 COOLANT OFF
M10 CHUCK OPEN
M11 CHUCK CLOSED
M98 SUB PROGRAM CALL
M99 SUB PROGRAM EXIT
M 30 PROGRAM END AND REPEAT

PREPARATORY FUNCTIONS (G CODES):

CODES FUNCTION
G00 RAPID TRAVERSE
G01 LINEAR INTERPOLATION
G02 CIRCULAR INTERPOLATION (CLOCK WISE)
CIRCULAR INTERPOLATION ( COUNTER CLOCK
G03
WISE)
G20 INCH DATA INPUT
G21 METRIC DATA INPUT
G28 REFERENCE POINT RETURN
G32 THREAD CUTTING
G40 TOOL NOSE RADIUS COMPENSATION CANCEL
G41 TOOL NOSE RADIUS COMPENSATION LEFT
G42 TOOL NOSE RADIUS COMPENSATION RIGHT
G73 PATTERN REPEATING
G74 PECK DRILLING IN Z AXIS
G76 THREAD CUTTING CYCLE

11
 G98 FEED PER MINUTE
G99 FEED PER REVOLUTION

SPECIAL CYCLES

 Special Cycles or Canned Cycles are a preprogrammed

sequences of repetitive tool motion that are built into the control
system for common operations such as drilling, tapping, boring,
and pocketing. Its purpose is to reduce the amount of program
code that would normally have to be written. Canned cycles are
G codes that are options purchased with a CNC, but some are
standard equipment depending on the manufacturer.
 Drilling cycle (G81, G82 or G83) are used to drill multiple
holes without programming each move separately. Using this
cycle reduces the amount of code that would normally have to
be written.
 Facing cycle (G77) is used to clean up rough stock material
(normally on top of the part) which can be located within a
rectangular area. Using this cycle reduces the amount of code
that would normally have to be written.
 Rectangular pocket cycle (G78) is used to clear out material
which is located within a rectangular area. Using this cycle

12
 reduces the amount of code that would normally have to be
written.
 Circular pocket cycle (G79) is used to clear out material which
is located within a circular area. Using this cycle reduces the
amount of code that would normally have to be written.

SPECIAL CODES:

Special codes are used to perform functions in the CNC's

control and enhance the programmers ability to write smart
programs. Most of these codes are standard in today's CNCs,
others may be optional. The machine builder sets these codes
but some standardization does exist.

 / - Block Delete - A code used in a CNC program to allow

the operator to ignore a given block or blocks of code,
depending on the setting of the Block delete switch on the
operators control panel.

 EOB - End Of Block - A special character used to signify

the end of one block. Normally this character is the
carriage return.
 . - Period - A period before a block tells the control to
execute system mode changes during the search mode
also.(ie. a line with G70,G90 will have a . in front .)

13
  % - Rewind Stop
 = - Execute (or Do) - When looping; or running macros; =
means execute.(ie. =N25/6 - run line number 25 6 times
then continue)
 E - Rewind Tape
 $ - End of Macro - The $ specifies the end of a definition
of a macro.
 # - The begining of the definition of a macro will have the
# sign followed

Programming Considerations

 Develop a programming style that will be used by all

programmers at your facility.

 Proofread all programs for typographical errors before they are

sent to the shop.
 Keep all programs as simple as possible to perform the desired
functions.
 Be aware of modal and non-modal codes. Modal codes are
commands that remain in effect until they are cancelled by
another code. This makes it possible for you to not have to
repeat them, line after line, for repetitive tasks; such as drilling,
boring, etc. .
 Choose feeds and speeds that will give you a balance between
tool life and short cycle times.

14
  Use your own previous experience and the experiences of
others for programming feeds, speeds, and depth of cut. But do
not guess.
 Optimizing cycle time is accomplished after a program has
begun producing dimensionally acceptable parts.
 A fully optimized cycle time can be thought of as one that
produces the most finished parts per day.
 "Error on the side of caution". In CNC programming, it's a
good idea to have an extra degree of safety. Examples include
longer dwell cycles, higher plunge distances and clearance
planes, slower feedrates and lighter depths of cut. Normally this
practice would be used on a new program. Later after the
program is proofed, these safeties would be optimized out for
efficiency.

RESULT:

15
 Thus the part programming fundamentals of CNC turning is
studied

PROGRAM
FOR

CNC LATHE
PLAIN FACING AND TURNING

EXPT. NO: 3

16
DATE :

AIM:

To machine a given work piece for given dimension using

turning and facing operations.

PROGRAM:
N10 G21 G98
N20 G28 U0 W0
N30 M06 T01
N40 M03 S1200
N50 G00 Z2
N60 G00 X28
N70 G94 X-0.5 Z-0.5
Z-1
Z-1.5
Z-2
N80 G71 U.5 R1
N90 G71 P100 Q130 U.1 W.1 F80
N100 G01 X22 Z0
N110 G01 X22 Z-50
N120 G01 X28 Z-50
N130 G01 X28 Z2
N140 G28 U0 W0

17
 N150 M05
N160 M30

RESULT:
Thus, the plain facing and turning operations were performed on the
given work piece according to the dimensions.

18
PLAIN FACING AND TURNING

All dimensions are in mm

Material - Aluminum

19
 STEP TURNING AND FACING

EXPT. NO: 4
DATE :

AIM:
To perform the step turning and facing operations on the given work
piece according to the dimensions given.

PROGRAM CODE:

N10 G21 G98

N20 G28 U0 W0
N30 M06 T01
N40 M03 S1200
N50 G00 X28 Z2
N60 G71 U.5 R1
N70 G71 P80 Q130 U.1 W.1 F50
N80 G01 X15 Z-15
N90 G01 X20 Z-15
N100 G01 X20 Z-30
N110 G01 X25 Z-30
N120 G01 X25 Z-45
N130 G01 X28 Z-45
N140 G28 U0 W0

20
N150 M05
N160 M30

RESULT:
Thus, the given work piece was step turned and faced according to
the given dimensions.

21
STEP TURNING AND FACING

All dimensions are in mm

Material - Aluminum

22
 TAPER TURNING AND CIRCULAR INTERPOLATION

EXPT. NO: 5
DATE :

AIM:
To machine a given work piece for given dimension using step
turning operations.

PROGRAM:
N10 G21 G98

N20 G28 U0 W0

N30 M06 T1

N40 M03 S1500

N50 G00 Z2

N60 G00 X28

N70 G94 X-1 Z-.5 F1.2

Z-1

Z-1.5

Z-2

N80 G71 U0.5 R1

23
 N90 G71 P100 Q120 U0.1 W0.1 F80

N100 G01 X20 Z0

N110 G01 X20 Z-25

N120 G01 X28 Z-25

N140 G71 U0.5 R1

N150 G71 P160 Q180 U0.1 W0.1 F100

N160 G01 X20 Z0

N170 G01 X20 Z-25

N180 G01 X28 Z-50

N190 G01 X17.5 Z0

N200 G01 X17.5 Z-22.5

N210 G02 X20 Z-25 R2.5

N220 G28 U0 W0

N230 M05

N240 M30

RESULT:
The work piece is machined as per the dimensions.

24
 TAPER TURNING AND CIRCULAR INTERPOLATION
`

All dimensions are in mm

Material - Aluminum

25
 THREAD CUTTING OPERATIONS

EXPT. NO: 6
DATE :

AIM:

To machine a given work piece for given dimension using step

turning operation

PROGRAM:

N10 G21 G98

N20 G28 U0 W0
N30 M06 T01
N40 M03 S1200
N50 G00 X28 Z2
N60 G71 U.5 R1
N70 G71 P80 Q130 U.1 W.1 F50
N80 G00 X15 Z0
N90 G01 X15 Z-15
N100 G01 X20 Z-15
N110 G01 X20 Z-30
N120 G01 X25 Z-30
N130 G01 X28 Z-30

26
 N140 G01 F30
N150 S1500
N160 G70 P1 Q2
N170 G28 U0 W0
N180 M06 T03
N190 M03 S600
N200 G00 X15.5 Z2
N210 G76 P021560 Q050 R.02
N220 G76 X13.774 Z-13 P613 Q100 F1
N230 G28 U0 W0
N240 M05
N250 M30

RESULT:

Thus the work piece is machined as per the dimensions

27
THREAD CUTTING OPERATIONS

All dimensions are in mm

Material - Aluminum

28
PROGRAM
FOR

CNC
MILLING
29
 CONTOUR MILLING

EXPT. NO: 7
DATE :

AIM:

To machine a given work piece for the given dimension using

contour milling

PROGRAM:

N10 G21 G94

N20 G91 G28 Z0
N30 G28 X0 Y0
N40 M06 T01
N50 M03 S1500
N60 G90 G00 X-25 Y-25 Z5
N70 G01 Z-1 F30
N80 G01 X25 Y-25
N90 G01 X25 Y15
N100 G03 X15 Y25 R10
N110 G01 X-15 Y25
N120 G02 X-25 Y15 R10
N130 G01 X-25 Y-25

30
 N140 G00 Z5
N150 G91 G28 Z0
N160 G28 X0 Y0
N170 M05
N180 M30

RESULT:

Thus the work piece is machined as per the dimensions.

31
CONTOUR MILLING

All dimensions are in mm

Material - Aluminum

32
 CIRCULAR POCKETING

EXPT. NO: 8
DATE :

AIM:

To machine a given work piece for the given dimensions using

circular pocketing.

PROGRAM CODING:

N10 G21 G94

N20 G28 Z0
N30 G28 X0 Y0
N40 M06 T01
N50 M03 S1500
N60 G90 G00 X0 Y0 Z10
N70 G01 Z0 F50
N80 G170 R0 P0 Q3 X0 Y0 Z6 I0 J0 K20
N90 G171 P75 Z1500 R75 F250 B1800 J130
N100 G01 Z5
N110 G28 X0 Y0

33
N120 M05
N130 M30

RESULT:
Thus the work piece have been machined as per the given
dimensions.

CIRCULAR POCKETING

34
 All dimensions are in mm
Material - Aluminum

RECTANGULAR POCKETING

35
EXPT. NO: 9
DATE :

AIM:
To machine a given work piece for the given dimensions using
rectangular pocketing.

PROGRAM CODE:
N10 G21 G94
N20 G91 G28 Z0
N30 M06 T01
N40 G28 X0 Y0
N50 M03 S1200
N60 G90 G00 X0 Y0 Z10
N70 G01 Z0 F50
N80 G172 P0 Q2 R5 X-25 Y-20 Z-4 I50 J50 K0
N90 G173 P50 S1500 R80 F90 B1200 J60 Z5 T1 I0 K0
N100 G00 Z10
N110 G91 G28 Z0
N120 G28 X0 Y0
N130 M05
N140 M30

36
RESULT:
Thus, the given work piece was machined according to the
dimensions given.

RECTANGULAR POCKETING

37
 All dimensions are in mm
Material - Aluminum

38
 DRILLING

EXPT. NO: 10
DATE :

AIM:
To drill the four holes in the given work piece as shown in the
figure.

PROGRAM CODE:

N10 G21 G94

N20 G28 X0 Y0
N30 G00 Z5
N40 M06 T01
N50 M03 S1500
N60 G83 X25 Y25 Z-10 R9 Q3 F120
X-25 Y25
X-25 Y-25
X25 Y-25
N70 G00 G80 G90 Z15
N80 M05
N90 M30

39
RESULT:
Thus, the 4 holes have been drilled on the work piece according to
dimensions.

40
DRILLING

All dimensions are in mm

Material - Aluminum

41
 TOOL COMPENSATION AND PROGRAM OFFSET

EXPT. NO: 11
DATE :
AIM:
To machine a given work piece for given dimension using
mirroring operations.

PROGRAM:
N10 G21 G94
N20 G91 G28 Z0
N30 G28 X0 Y0
N40 M06 T01
N50 M03 S1500
N60 G90 G00 X10 Y40 Z5
N70 M98 P001 6789
N80 M70
N90 M98 P001 6789
N100 M80
N110 M71
N120 M98 P001 6789
N130 M81
N140 M70
N150 M71
N160 M98 P001 6789

42
 N170 M80
N180 M81
N190 G91 G28 Z0
N200 G28 X0 Y0
N210 M05
N220 M30
N230 O 6789
N240 G90 G00 X10 Y40
N250 G01 Z-1 F40
N260 G01 X40 Y10
N270 G01 X10 Y10
N280 G01 X10 Y40
N290 G00 Z5
N300 X0 Y0
N310 M99

RESULT:
Thus the work piece is machined as per the dimensions.

43
TOOL COMPENSATION AND PROGRAM OFFSET

All dimensions are in mm

Material - Aluminum

44
 STUDY OF CNC WIRE CUT EDM

EXPT. NO: 12
DATE :

AIM:
To study about the working principle of the CNC wire cut EDM.

WEDM:

In wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM), also known as wire-

cut EDM and wire cutting, a thin single-strand metal wire, usually
brass, is fed through the work piece, submerged in a tank of dielectric
fluid, typically de ionized water

Wire-cut EDM is typically used to cut plates as thick as 300mm and

to make punches, tools, and dies from hard metals that are difficult to
machine with other methods.

45
The wire, which is constantly fed from a spool, is held between upper
and lower diamond guides. The guides, usually CNC-controlled,
move in the x–y plane. On most machines, the upper guide can also
move independently in the z–u–v axis, giving rise to the ability to cut
tapered and transitioning shapes (circle on the bottom square at the
top for example). The upper guide can control axis movements in x–
y–u–v–i–j–k–l–. This allows the wire-cut EDM to be programmed to
cut very intricate and delicate shapes

The wire, which is constantly fed from a spool, is held between upper
and lower diamond guides. The guides, usually CNC-controlled,
move in the x–y plane. On most machines, the upper guide can also

46
move independently in the z–u–v axis, giving rise to the ability to cut
tapered and transitioning shapes (circle on the bottom square at the
top for example). The upper guide can control axis movements in x–
y–u–v–i–j–k–l–. This allows the wire-cut EDM to be programmed to
cut very intricate and delicate shapes.

The upper and lower diamond guides are usually accurate to

0.004 mm, and can have a cutting path or kerf as small as 0.12 mm
using Ø 0.1 mm wire, though the average cutting kerf that achieves
the best economic cost and machining time is 0.335 mm using Ø 0.25
brass wire. The reason that the cutting width is greater than the width
of the wire is because sparking occurs from the sides of the wire to
the work piece, causing erosion. This "overcut" is necessary, for
many applications it is adequately predictable and therefore can be
compensated for (for instance in micro-EDM this is not often the
case). Spools of wire are long—an 8 kg spool of 0.25 mm wire is just
over 19 kilometers in length. Wire diameter can be as small as 20
micrometres and the geometry precision is not far from +/- 1
micrometre.

The wire-cut process uses water as its dielectric fluid, controlling its
resistivity and other electrical properties with filters and de-ionizer
units. The water flushes the cut debris away from the cutting zone.
Flushing is an important factor in determining the maximum feed rate
for a given material thickness.

47
Along with tighter tolerances, multi axis EDM wire-cutting machining
center have added features such as multi heads for cutting two parts
at the same time, controls for preventing wire breakage, automatic
self-threading features in case of wire breakage, and programmable
machining strategies to optimize the operation.

Wire-cutting EDM is commonly used when low residual stresses are

desired, because it does not require high cutting forces for removal of
material. If the energy/power per pulse is relatively low (as in finishing
operations), little change in the mechanical properties of a material is
expected due to these low residual stresses, although material that
hasn't been stress-relieved can distort in the machining process.

The work piece may undergo a significant thermal cycle, its severity
depending on the technological parameters used. Such thermal
cycles may cause formation of a recast layer on the part and residual
tensile stresses on the work piece.

RESULT:
Thus, the construction, working principle of the CNC Wire Cut EDM
was studied and understood.

48
 STUDY OF CAM PACKAGES

EXPT. NO: 13
DATE :

Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM):

The computer-aided manufacturing is the use of computer software to

control machine tools and related machinery in the manufacturing of
work pieces. This is not the only definition for CAM, but it is the most
common CAM may also refer to the use of a computer to assist in all
operations of a manufacturing plant, including planning,
management, transportation and storage. Its primary purpose is to
create a faster production process and components and tooling with
more precise dimensions and material consistency, which in some
cases, uses only the required amount of raw material (thus
minimizing waste), while simultaneously reducing energy
consumption.

CAM is a subsequent computer-aided process after computer-aided

design (CAD) and sometimes computer-aided engineering (CAE), as
the model generated in CAD and verified in CAE can be input into
CAM software, which then controls the machine tool

Over time, the historical shortcomings of CAM are being attenuated,

both by providers of niche solutions and by providers of high-end
solutions. This is occurring primarily in three arenas:

49
 1. Ease of use
2. Manufacturing complexity
3. Integration with PLM and the extended enterprise

Ease in use:
For the user who is just getting started as a CAM user, out-of-
the-box capabilities providing Process Wizards, templates,
libraries, machine tool kits, automated feature based machining
and job function specific tailor able user interfaces build user
confidence and speed the learning curve.
User confidence is further built on 3D visualization through a
closer integration with the 3D CAD environment, including error-
avoiding simulations and optimizations.

Manufacturing complexity:
The manufacturing environment is increasingly complex. The
need for CAM and PLM tools by the manufacturing engineer,
NC programmer or machinist is similar to the need for computer
assistance by the pilot of modern aircraft systems. The modern
machinery cannot be properly used without this assistance.
Today's CAM systems support the full range of machine tools
including: turning, 5 axis machining and wire EDM. Today’s
CAM user can easily generate streamlined tool paths,
optimized tool axis tilt for higher feed rates and optimized Z axis

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 depth cuts as well as driving non-cutting operations such as the
specification of probing motions.

Integration with PLM and the extended enterprise:

Today’s competitive and successful companies have used PLM
to integrate manufacturing with enterprise operations from
concept through field support of the finished product.
To ensure ease of use appropriate to user objectives, modern
CAM solutions are scalable from a stand-alone CAM system to
a fully integrated multi-CAD 3D solution-set. These solutions
are created to meet the full needs of manufacturing personnel
including part planning, shop documentation, resource
management and data management and exchange.

According to the latest analysis of the CAM software market

produced by CIM data, Inc., Master CAM from CNC Software Inc.
with more than 135,000 installations, is more than twice as popular as
its nearest competitor.

Master cam is a Windows based CAD/CAM package for 2-axis

through 5-axis milling and turning, 2-axis and 4-axis wire EDM, 2D
and 3D design, surface and solid modeling, and 2D and 3D routing.

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`The CAD functions are more advanced than what is needed to do
simple editing of part files for use with the CAM function.

Some users say that it is more than they need and that the CAD
function is more design-oriented than machinist oriented. This made
the package harder for them to learn than other packages with only
simple editing functions. Other users say that the extended design-
oriented functionality of the CAD package gives them the ability to
create complex designs without having to buy a stand-alone CAD
package.

RESULT:

Thus, the various features of CAM packages were studied and

understood.

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