Scribd
Upload
73 views4 pages

Chapter 3 p71-74

Computer-assisted programming methods like APT are faster and more reliable than manual programming. APT uses English-like statements to define part geometry and tool motions, which are converted into G-code by a processor. There are three main types of statements in APT: geometry statements define shapes like points, lines, circles; motion statements describe tool paths in relation to geometry; and postprocessor/auxiliary statements provide machine/tool details.

Uploaded by

Faisal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
73 views4 pages

Chapter 3 p71-74

Computer-assisted programming methods like APT are faster and more reliable than manual programming. APT uses English-like statements to define part geometry and tool motions, which are converted into G-code by a processor. There are three main types of statements in APT: geometry statements define shapes like points, lines, circles; motion statements describe tool paths in relation to geometry; and postprocessor/auxiliary statements provide machine/tool details.

Uploaded by

Faisal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

Chapter 3

Computer-Assisted Programming

Computer assisted programming methods are much faster and


more reliable than manual programming techniques. There are a variety
of forms of computer assisted programming.
The common feature of
these programs is that the part and machining paths are not defined
directly with G-code but through English-like statements or through
interactive graphic instructions.
In this chapter three types of computer assisted programming
methods are discussed. The first method is called APT (Automatically
Programmed Tools) and is presented in Section 3.1. It is the original
computer assisted method of part programming and has been widely
used over the last two decades. It consists of a series of English-like
geometry and motion statements, which are used to define the workpiece
and machine tool path. An extensive (usually mainframe) computer
program is then used to convert the APT instructions into G-code
programs.
This is followed, in Sections 3.2 and 3.3, by two examples of
interactive computer graphics-based programs, which are supplied by
machine tool manufacturers. The programs, called Symbolic FAPT for
lathes and Conversational Programming for mills, run directly on the
controllers of CNC machine tools. They are fairly comprehensive and
enable the part figure, blank shape, and machine tool path to be
specified graphically at the control console. They allow for input of
workpiece material, tool shape, surface roughness etc., and enable feeds
and speeds to be automatically generated and manually overridden.
The third method, given in Section 3.4, is an interactive, PC-based
graphics package. The program, called SmartCAM, is typical of graphicsbased CAM packages in which the machine tool path is developed from
part definition generated with CAD packages such as AutoCAD or
Personal Designer.
3.1 APT
APT uses English-like language statements to define part shape
and tool motion as well as machine tool dependent data, such as
feedrates and spindle speeds. This data is contained in an APT partprogram. An APT processor program is used to read these statements,
interpret the meanings, and perform all the necessary calculations in
order to generate a series of cutter location points that

72
Computer-Assisted Programming
[Ch.3
define the cutter path. The APT processor is a computer program which
runs on a mainframe computer, possibly at a central site with timesharing facilities. The generalized APT output is converted to the
particular format G-code required by the CNC machine using a
postprocessor program. Although G-codes are fairly well standardized,
differences do exist between machine suppliers and CNC machines can
be supplied with a variety of subsets of available codes. A description of
postprocessor programs is given in Chapter 5.
APT is a three-dimensional system which can be used to define
complex geometrical shapes and to control up to five axes CNC
machines. A major advantage of APT is that it has developed into an
accepted standard for machine tools. There are many versions of the
APT language available, each with particular benefits and characteristics.
The prime disadvantage of APT is that it is uses English-like commands
to define geometry instead of the much more convenient graphical
methods. Other disadvantages are that it requires extensive computing
capability and can have a slow response (particularly with programmers
who use the system intermittently and require multiple overnight runs
on time-shared facilities).
The four types of statements in the APT language are:
geometry statements which define primitive elements such as
points, lines, circles, planes, cones and spheres
motion statements which describe the tool path in relation to
the part geometry
postprocessor statements which give specific machine tool code
information as well as feeds and speeds
auxiliary statements which give part and tool tolerances.
APT part programs usually list the part and the postprocessor reference
number followed by the program statements as follows:
PARTNO___
MACHIN/___
Geometry statements
Motion statements and machine tool commands
FINI.
3.1.1 Geometry Statements
The general form of geometry statements is:
symbol = geometry type / descriptive data
For example a point, named P1, can be defined at coordinates X = 100
mm, Y = 200 mm and Z = 300 mm by the statement:
P1 = POINT/100.0, 200.0, 300.0
A line, named L1, can be defined between two points, P1 and P2, by the
statement:
L1 = LINE/P1, P2
or through the point, P1, and parallel to another line, L2, by the
statement:
L1 = LINE/P1, PAREL, L2

Sec 3.1]

APT

73

A plane, named PL1, can be defined between three points, P1, P2 and P3,
by the statement:
PL1 = PLANE/P1, P2, P3
or through the point, P1, and parallel to another plane, PL2, by the
statement:
PL1 = PLANE/P1, PAREL, PL2
A circle, named C1, can be specified by a centre position, P1, and a
radius of 100 mm by the statement:
C1 = CIRCLE/CENTER, P1, RADIUS, 100.0
or by a centre position, P1, and tangent to line, L1, by the statement:
C1 = CIRCLE/CENTER, P1, TANTO, L1.
3.1.2 Motion Statements
Motion statements use the defined geometry primitives in order to
define tool movement. The general form of motion statements is:
motion statement/descriptive data
The instruction to go from an initial starting point, P1, and from which
all other points are referenced, is given by the statement:
FROM/P1
The instruction to go to the point, P2, is given by the statement:
GOTO/P2
or to go to the absolute position X = 100 mm, Y = 200 mm, and Z = 300
mm is given by the statement:
GOTO/100.0, 200.0, 300.0
The instruction to move by an incremental (or delta) amount from the
present position is given by the statement:
GODLTA/100.0, 200.0, 300.0
Contouring commands are used to direct the tool along two
intersecting surfaces. The drive surface guides the side of the cutter,
the part surface defines the position of the bottom of the cutter, and the
check surface defines the limit of current tool motion. Modifier words,
such as TO, ON, PAST or TANTO, are used to govern the position of the
tool in relation to the check surface, as shown in Figure 3.1. Motion
statements, GOLFT (go to the left), GOFWD (go forward) and GOUP (go
up), are also used to control the cutter motion.
The instruction for the tool to move forward, with the drive surface,
S1, on the left hand side, and past the check surface, S2, is given by the
statement:
GOLFT/S1, PAST, S2.

74

Computer-Assisted Programming

[Ch.3

Figure 3.1 APT contouring surfaces


3.1.3 Postprocessor and Auxiliary Statements
Statements which specify machine tool related functions, such as
those covered by F-, S-, T-, and M-codes, are defined in the
postprocessor statements. For example, the instruction to set the
feedrate at 100 mm per minute is given by the statement:
FEDRAT/100, MPM
The instruction to set the spindle at 1500 rpm in a clockwise direction is
given by the statement:
SPINDL/1500, RPM, CLW
The instruction to set the coolant on is given by the statement:
COOLNT/ON
Other auxiliary statements are used to define cutter size, part
number, and curve tolerance. The instruction to define a 50 mm
diameter cutter is given by the statement:
CUTTER/50.0

You might also like