CNC MACHINING

NC/CNC

Definition of Numerical Control

Numerical control can be defined as an operation of
machine tools by the means of specifically coded

Dr. GOUTAM PAUL, ASSOCIATE PROFF.,

instructions to the machine control system.

ME DEPT., UEM KOLKATA

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NC/CNC

Brief History
NC technology emerged in the mid 20th
century in the year of 1952, U.S. Air force and

DEPT., UEM KOLKATA

Dr. GOUTAM PAUL, ASSOCIATE PROFF., ME
the names of John Parsons and the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology in USA.

The real boom came in the form of CNC,

around the year of 1972.

The recent evolution of micro electronics and

the never ceasing computer development has
brought significant changes to NC/CNC.
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 NC stands for the older and original numerical control
technology, whereby the abbreviation CNC stands for the
newer Computerized Numerical Control Technology.

 Both systems perform the same tasks, namely manipulation

of data for the purpose of machining a part. In both cases, the
internal design of the control system contains the logical

PROFF., ME DEPT., UEM KOLKATA

Dr. GOUTAM PAUL, ASSOCIATE
instructions that process the data.

 The NC system uses a fixed logical functions, those that are

built-in and permanently wired within the control unit.
Because of the fixed wiring of the control logic, the NC
control system is synonymous with the term ‘hardwired’.

 The CNC system uses an internal micro processor i.e. a

computer. This computer contains memory registers storing a
variety of routines that are capable of manipulating logical
functions. The CNC programs and the logical functions are
stored on special computer chips, as software instructions,
rather than used by the hardware connections. So CNC
system is synonymous with the term ‘soft wired’.
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 Conventional v/s CNC Machining

Similarities:-
 Basics operational steps:

PROFF., ME DEPT., UEM KOLKATA

Dr. GOUTAM PAUL, ASSOCIATE
1. Obtain and study the drawing
2. Select the most suitable machining method
3. Decide on the setup method (work holding)
4. Select the cutting tools
5. Establish speeds and feeds
6. Machine the part
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Conventional v/s CNC Machining

Dissimilarities:

PROFF., ME DEPT., UEM KOLKATA

Dr. GOUTAM PAUL, ASSOCIATE
 CNC does away with majority of inconsistency
 In CNC once the part program has been proven, it can be
used any number of times.
 CNC can perform complex parts easily and accurately.

Numerical control has never machined a single part by itself.

Numerical control is only a process or a method that enables a
machine tool to be used in productive, accurate and consistent
way.
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Advantages of NC/CNC
Some of the major areas where the CNC user can
and should expect improvement:

PROFF., ME DEPT., UEM KOLKATA

Dr. GOUTAM PAUL, ASSOCIATE
1. Setup time reduction
2. Lead time reduction
3. Accuracy and repeatability
4. Contouring of complex shapes
5. Simplified tooling and work holding
6. Consistent cutting time
7. General productivity increase
 Dr. GOUTAM PAUL, ASSOCIATE
PROFF., ME DEPT., UEM KOLKATA
Disadvantages of NC/CNC
CNC MACHINING
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Types of CNC Machine Tools
 Mills and Machining centers

PROFF., ME DEPT., UEM KOLKATA

Dr. GOUTAM PAUL, ASSOCIATE
 Lathes and Turning Centers
 Drilling Machines
 Boring mills and Profilers
 EDM machines
 Punch presses and Shears
 Flame cutting machines
 Water jet and Laser profilers
 Cylindrical grinders
 Welding machines
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 PROCESS PLANNING FOR CNC

Before machining begins, it is essential to go through the procedure called

process planning. The following are the steps in the process:
1. Study the engineering drawing or blueprint.

PROFF., ME DEPT., UEM KOLKATA

Dr. GOUTAM PAUL, ASSOCIATE
2. Select the proper raw material or rough stock as described in the engineering
drawing or blueprint.
3. Study the engineering drawing or blueprint and determine the best sequence
of individual operations needed to machine the required geometry.
4. Transfer the information onto planning charts.
5. While the part is still mounted on the machine, use in-process inspection to
check dimensional values as they are completed.
6. Make necessary corrections and debur.
7. Perform a 100% dimensional inspection when the part is finished and log the
results of the first article inspection on the quality control check sheet.
8. Take corrective action if any problems are identified.
9. Begin production.
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WHAT IS CNC PROGRAMMING?
CNC programming is a method of defining machine tool
movements through the application of numbers and
corresponding coded letter symbols. As shown in the list
below, all phases of production are considered in
programming, beginning with the engineering drawing or

PROFF., ME DEPT., UEM KOLKATA

Dr. GOUTAM PAUL, ASSOCIATE
blueprint and ending with the final product:

• Engineering drawing or blueprint

• Work holding considerations
• Tool selection
• Preparation of the part program
• Part program tool path verification
• Measuring of tool and work offsets
• Program test by dry run
• Automatic operation or CNC machining
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INTRODUCTION TO THE COORDINATE SYSTEM

Turning Center Axes

Courtesy Kennametal

PROFF., ME DEPT., UEM KOLKATA

Dr. GOUTAM PAUL, ASSOCIATE
Two-Axis Turning Center
Courtesy MAZAK Corporation
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 The Right-Hand Rule System

PROFF., ME DEPT., UEM KOLKATA

Dr. GOUTAM PAUL, ASSOCIATE
Right-Hand Rule
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 COORDINATE SYSTEMS
Two-Dimensional Coordinate System

PROFF., ME DEPT., UEM KOLKATA

Dr. GOUTAM PAUL, ASSOCIATE
Two-Dimensional Coordinate Part Drawing Overlaid on 2D
System Coordinate System

Two-Dimensional Turned
Part Drawing
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 COORDINATE SYSTEMS
Three-Dimensional Coordinate System

PROFF., ME DEPT., UEM KOLKATA

Dr. GOUTAM PAUL, ASSOCIATE
Three-Dimensional Coordinate System
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 COORDINATE SYSTEMS

PROFF., ME DEPT., UEM KOLKATA

Dr. GOUTAM PAUL, ASSOCIATE
The Polar Coordinate System

Polar Coordinate System Quadrants

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 All operations of CNC machines are based on three axes: X,
Y, and Z.
1. (X0, Y0, Z0)

PROFF., ME DEPT., UEM KOLKATA

Dr. GOUTAM PAUL, ASSOCIATE
2. (X0, Y0, Z+)
3. (X0, Y–, Z+)
4. (X0, Y–, Z0)
5. (X–, Y–, Z0)
6. (X–, Y0, Z0)
7. (X–, Y0, Z+)
8. (X–, Y–, Z+)
Three-Axis Part Example
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Axis Designation
Axis Designation for a for a Two-Axis
Three-Axis Mill Turning Center

PROFF., ME DEPT., UEM KOLKATA

Dr. GOUTAM PAUL, ASSOCIATE
Axis Designation for a
Three-Axis Horizontal Mill
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 POINTS OF REFERENCE
Engineering Drawing or Blueprint Relationship to CNC

PROFF., ME DEPT., UEM KOLKATA

Dr. GOUTAM PAUL, ASSOCIATE
A thorough knowledge of engineering drawing or blueprint reading is
imperative for successful results using manual or CNC equipment.

Machine Zero
 Each CNC machine is assigned a fixed point, which is referred to as Machine Zero (or
Machine Home). For most machines, Machine Zero is defined as the extreme travel
end position of main machine components that are oriented in a given coordinate
system.

Work piece Zero

 Any movement of machine components must be described by points, which actually
determine the traveling path of the tool. Changes in the position tool are determined
with respect to the stationary reference point of Machine Zero.
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 MACHINE ZERO VERSUS WORKPIECE ZERO
At the beginning of the program, we input the value of the distance between
Machine Zero and the selected Work piece Zero by employing function G92 or
G54 through G59 for machining centers and function G50 or G54 for turning
centers. These measured values are input either directly into the program, as

PROFF., ME DEPT., UEM KOLKATA

Dr. GOUTAM PAUL, ASSOCIATE
in the case of G92 for mills and G50 for lathes, or in offset registers in the
control for G54 through 59.

Machine Zero to Workpiece Zero

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 MACHINE ZERO VERSUS WORKPIECE ZERO

PROFF., ME DEPT., UEM KOLKATA

Dr. GOUTAM PAUL, ASSOCIATE
Work piece Zero Point
  Absolute and Incremental Coordinate Systems
Work piece Zero for Turning Centers
Courtesy Kennametal

PROFF., ME DEPT., UEM KOLKATA

Dr. GOUTAM PAUL, ASSOCIATE
Absolute and Incremental Coordinate System Points
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Absolute Coordinate Systems

PROFF., ME DEPT., UEM KOLKATA

Dr. GOUTAM PAUL, ASSOCIATE
Incremental Coordinate Systems
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 G20- INCH PROGRAMMING

PROFF., ME DEPT., UEM KOLKATA

Dr. GOUTAM PAUL, ASSOCIATE
 G21-METRIC PROGRAMMING

 G90- ABSOLUTE PROGRAMMING

 G91- INCREMENTAL PROGRAMMING

PROGRAM FORMAT

Each word contains an address, followed by specific data. For example:

PROFF., ME DEPT., UEM KOLKATA

Dr. GOUTAM PAUL, ASSOCIATE
 Dr. GOUTAM PAUL, ASSOCIATE
PROFF., ME DEPT., UEM KOLKATA
CNC PROGRAMMING
PREPARATORY FUNCTIONS (G-CODES)
 Dr. GOUTAM PAUL, ASSOCIATE
PROFF., ME DEPT., UEM KOLKATA
PREPARATORY FUNCTIONS (G-CODES)
CNC PROGRAM

 Dr. GOUTAM PAUL, ASSOCIATE
PROFF., ME DEPT., UEM KOLKATA
CNC PROGRAM