Assignment -2

CNC Programming
Prof. R.O.V

Ankit Nandwani
14109040
B.E
Production and Industrial Engineering
Classification of CNC Machines
1. Classification based on the motion type.

2. Classification based on the control loops.

3. Classification based on the number of axes.
4. Classification based on the power supply.
1. Classification based on the motion type:
Point-to-Point Systems:
1. It is used in some CNC machines such as drilling, boring and
tapping machinesetc.
2. The control equipments for use with them are known as
point-to-point control equipment.
3. Feed rates need not to be programmed.
4. In theses machine tools, each axis is driven separately.

2. Contouring Systems (Continuous Path Systems):

It is used in CNC machine tools such as milling machines.
These machines require simultaneous control of axes.
Contouring machines can also be used as point-to-point
machines, but it will be uneconomical to use them unless
the work piece also requires having a contouring operation
to be performed on it.

3. Classification based on the control loops

Open Loop Systems: Programmed instructions are fed into the
controller through an input device.
These instructions are then converted to electrical pulses
(signals) by the controller and sent to the servo amplifier
to energize the servo motors.

The primary drawback of the open-loop system is that

there is no feedback system to check whether the
program position and velocity has been achieved.

Closed Loop Systems: The closed-loop system has a

feedback subsystem to monitor the actual output and correct
any discrepancy from the programmed input.
These systems use position and velocity feedback.
The feedback system could be either analog or digital.

 The analog systems measure the variation of physical

variables such as position and velocity in terms of voltage
levels.
Digital systems monitor output variations by means of
electrical pulses.
Closed-loop systems are very powerful and accurate
because they are capable of monitoring operating
conditions through feedback subsystems and
automatically compensating for any variations in real-time .

4. Classification based on the number of axes:

2&3 axes CNC Machines:
CNC lathes will be coming under 2 axes machines.
There will be two axes along which motion takes place.
The saddle will be moving longitudinally on the bed (Zaxis) and the cross slide moves transversely on the
saddle (along X-axis).
In 3-axes machines, there will be one more axis,
perpendicular to the above two axes. By the
simultaneous control of all the 3 axes, complex surfaces
can be machined.

Importance of higher axes machining:

Reduced cycle time by machining complex components using a
single setup. In addition to time savings, improved accuracy
can also be achieved as positioning errors between setups are
eliminated.
Improved surface finish and tool life by tilting the tool to
maintain optimum tool to part contact all the times.
Improved access to under cuts and deep pockets. By
tilting the tool, the tool can be made normal to the work
surface and the errors may be reduced as the major
component of cutting force will be along the tool axis.

Higher axes machining has been widely used for

machining sculptures surfaces in aerospace and
automobile industry.

4. Classification based on the power supply:

Mechanical power unit refers to a device which

transforms some form of energy to mechanical power

which may be used for driving slides, saddles or gantries

forming a part of machine tool.

The input power may be of electrical, hydraulic or

pneumatic.

__________________________________________________
Whats the difference between Absolute and Incremental
mode?
What Is Absolute?
When programming in absolute, all of your coordinates and
movement values will come from the origin (0,0) point.
If you want to be in Absolute, the G-Code that defines this
is G90, which is a modal code.
Most CNC programs are written in absolute because it is easier
to understand.
Why is it easier?
Because if you have a lot of coordinates to move, you always
know where the centre of the tool is in relation to the work
offset.

What Is Incremental?
How is Incremental different from Absolute?
Well, instead of all of your coordinates/numbers coming from
one location (0,0 offset), each move is the distance from your
current location.

That means if you want 2 holes that are 4.000 apart and start
4.000 from your start location, you would use X4.0 twice, as
opposed to using X4.0 and then X8.0 for the second hole if you
were to use Absolute.
G91 is the G-code that puts you in Incremental mode, and it is
modal as well.
Which one is better?
That depends on what youre doing, but 99% of the time
Absolute programming will be easier. If youre handprogramming, it may require a little more math, depending on
how the blueprint is laid out, but it will be much easier to go
back and read or edit the program if there is a mistake.
Applicability:
In G90 (absolute), no matter where your tool is, you can always
go move to a certain location by inputting those coordinates,
such as X1.625Y-.875.
However, if youre in G91, you cant just punch those numbers
in if your tool is somewhere other than the origin. If you put in
those coordinates, your tool will move a positive 1.625 in the X
direction and a negative .875 in the Y direction from where it
currently is.
So, how do you get to that location in G91?
You have to know where you tool is, then add or subtract the
distance of the location from where it is relative to the origin.
You see now why incremental can be very confusing? If youre
in G91 and have dozens, or even hundreds of moves, one
mistake in the middle of the program and all of the following
numbers will be skewed because they all come from the
previous location.
On the flip side, you can alternate between G90 and G91. If its
easier to use incremental for a few moves, use G91, then when
you want to go back to absolute, just put a G90 on the line of
the next move.

Coordinate System
The coordinate system used in most cases of CNC machining is
a rectangular system, the technical name for this being the
Cartesian coordinate system.

When writing coordinates it is standard practise to write them

in the order of X, Y, and Z.
When CNC programming the coordinate system must reference
from a fixed point; this is called the origin or more commonly in
manufacturing, the datum.

The datum is the position where X, Y, and Z all equal zero.

This is usually a point on the component and this position is
usually decided by the manufacturing engineer or CNC
programmer.
The coordinate system is almost always an absolute coordinate
system. Absolute meaning all coordinates are measured from
the datum.
Other coordinate system are found in CNC manufacturing; it is
not unusual to find Incremental (Relative) coordinates used on
many machines and it is possible to use Polar coordinates on
most machines.
Incremental coordinates do not refer back to the original
datum, the position of the datum moves with the programmed
coordinate. The machine moves towards a programmed
position; when it gets to that position the position becomes
X0Y0Z0 (the new datum). the next position is described from
this new datum.
Polar coordinates can be used in Abs and Inc modes but the
coordinate system is not rectangular; the Polar coordinate
system is based on a rotating angle and length of radius.
Basic programming - such as the programming used during the
16wk college course uses Cartesian coordinates using Absolute
positioning.

WORK ZERO AND MACHINE ZERO:

When you draw your part in your cad system, you should place
one corner of it so that the top of that corner is at X0Y0Z0.

This is the datum, or reference point for that part, and is

called Work Zero.
When you power up your machine and it homes, all the axis are
in certain positions which the machine calls home, and
typically these would all be zero, or they might be assigned
particular values.
This location is called Machine Zero, or just the Home
Position.
Often the home position will be the position where the machine
can access the tool changer if there is one, or perhaps it will be
the maximum positive values for all axes.
A switch is often located there so the machine can positively
find it again.