Coordinates, Axes, and Motion

¡ We’ll first learn about axis systems.

¡ Then we’ll investigate how the machines
understand where to move,
¡ and the kinds of moves they can make
getting there.

Machining and CNC Technology by McGraw-Hill Higher Education

¡ There are 14 standard axes defined by the
Electronics Industries Association (EIA) used
for motion and position.
¡ In this course we’ll study 9 of them.
¡ 3 Primary Linear Axes X, Y and Z
¡ 3 Primary Rotary Axes A, B and C
¡ 3 Secondary Linear Axes U,V and W

Machining and CNC Technology by McGraw-Hill Higher Education

Unless it’s a multiplexed machine with several auxiliary
rotary and linear axes, these nine are adequate to
define most of the equipment in industry today.
However, for tomorrow’s manufacturing world, that’s
another question? Machines continue to evolve as
central processors are able to handle more and more
calculations per nanosecond, thus more functions
simultaneously.

Machining and CNC Technology by McGraw-Hill Higher Education

¡ Whenever you are assigned to a new CNC
machine, the axis set must be identified as
the first order of business.
¡ Here are the sets for three common
machines.

Machining and CNC Technology by McGraw-Hill Higher Education

¡ It’s easy to identify the spindle, which is the Z
axis or it faces Z.
¡ Then apply the Right Hand Rule by pointing
your right middle finger in the positive Z
direction.
¡ Your fingers and thumb then form the
orthogonal axis frame (mutually at 90º)

Machining and CNC Technology by McGraw-Hill Higher Education

¡ First identify the Z axis.
It’s parallel to the
spindle axis, and brings
the work toward and
away from the spindle.
¡ Pointing your middle
finger in the positive Z
direction, your index
finger and thumb form
the other positive axes.

Machining and CNC Technology by McGraw-Hill Higher Education

¡ All CNC machines use the X-Z or X-Y-Z frame,
with each axis perpendicular to the others.
¡ That relationship stays the same no matter how
the axis set is rotated to suit the machine.
¡ Toward stronger or more efficient machines
manufacturers arrange the set any way
convenient, but not the inter-relationship
between axes.

The set (my fingers) remain in the same orientation

to each other no matter their world orientation

Machining and CNC Technology by McGraw-Hill Higher Education

¡ The X axis on many turning centers, is not
parallel to the floor, it slants forward.
¡ That provides easy access to the turret for
setup work, since the machine isn’t as wide as
level X axis machines.
¡ Plus chips and coolants slide right off to the
¡ The X axis on many turning centers, is no
X Slanted
catch basin below.parallel to the floor, it slants forward.
¡ That provides easy access to the turret f
setup work, Z since the machine isn’t as w
level X axis machines. 90º
¡ Plus chips and coolants slide right off to
catch
Thisbasin below.
lathe’s world
orthogonal set.
axis orientation is not level but it’s still an

Machining and CNC Technology by McGraw-Hill Higher Education

¡ Whenever a machine features a rotary axis,
we identify it this way:
¡ If it rotates around a line parallel to
X it’s an A axis
Y it’s B
Z it’s C

Machining and CNC Technology by McGraw-Hill Higher Education

¡ Rotary axes can move a cutter head in an arc
¡ Or they can move the workpiece in an arc.
¡ In this film we see A and B auxiliary axes
moving simultaneously with X, Y and Z, to cut
this complex turbine blade.

Machining and CNC Technology by McGraw-Hill Higher Education

 ¡ To determine the direction of rotary motion,
either plus or minus A,B or C, we use the Rule
of Thumb.
¡ It’s based on the line about which the rotary
axis pivots, X, Y or Z X+
Y+

Point the thumb of your right hand in the direction of

the rotary axis’ line of rotation, X, Y or Z positive Positive
PositiveCAB
Positive direction
direction
What motion?
direction.
Machining and CNC Technology by McGraw-Hill Higher Education
¡ In CNC work, the origin, X0, Y0, Z0, is known
as the Program Reference Zero (PRZ)
¡ It’s the starting point for coordinates
¡ Most coordinates in the program refer their
distance from the PRZ.
¡ For example.
The tip of the drill is at
X2.500, Y1.00, Z-1.00
Relative to the PRZ which is the lower left corner on
this part
Machining and CNC Technology by McGraw-Hill Higher Education
¡ Occasionally we encounter the need for a
different kind of coordinate.
¡ They do not refer to the PRZ but rather, to
their last position.
¡ Incremental coordinates are jumps from
where you are to where you wish to go
next.

Machining and CNC Technology by McGraw-Hill Higher Education

¡ CNC machines move their axes in five ways:
Rapid Travel
Linear single or multi axis straight line motion
Circular motion within a single plane.
Circular/Linear, also called 2 ½ dim. motion. Two axes
move in an arc while the third moves in a straight
line.
3-D motion few controls have the ability to move in an arc
using 3 axes simultaneously. Most approximate these arcs
through the power of the cam software.

Machining and CNC Technology by McGraw-Hill Higher Education

 Trade Tip
Rapid
Caution! – as fast
Depending as
on the
power of the CPU, your
the machine can
machine will rapid in one of
twomove butcontrollers
ways. Older with
take an unexpected nonlinear
the
path! ability
Newer to with
controllers
reduce
16-bit speed
or higher
microprocessors follow the
truethrough operator
linear motion.
over-ride control.

Machining and CNC Technology by McGraw-Hill Higher Education

¡ The next four motions all move one or more axes at
the rate specified in the program.
¡ The differences lies in how many axes are involved,
in a straight line, or arc.
¡ As motions become more complex, the CPU must
handle far more calculations per second by
interpolating each axes drive commands.

Machining and CNC Technology by McGraw-Hill Higher Education

¡ To move axes simultaneously, to produce a
constant velocity along the line A-B, say at
400 inches per minute.
¡ neither the X or Y axis will be moving at 400
IPM.
¡ They will run at lower speeds that combine to
create the tool motion of 400 IPM.

Machining and CNC Technology by McGraw-Hill Higher Education

 B

Programmed Rate 400 Inches

Per Minute

137.81 IPM Y Axis

A
375.87 IPM, X Axis Motion

Machining and CNC Technology by McGraw-Hill Higher Education

¡ The linear interpolation required the control
to set each axis moving at constant values
but different rates.
¡ The operator can over-ride the resultant tool
motion from 0% (no movement) up to 100%
or 150% on some machines.

Machining and CNC Technology by McGraw-Hill Higher Education

¡ For arc motion at feed rate, the controller is
also interpolating as with linear.
¡ The difference is it is constantly changing the
ratio between the axes involved, as the
curvature changes slants.

Machining and CNC Technology by McGraw-Hill Higher Education

 ¡ Sometimes engineering information comes not in
the form of rectangular dimensions, but rather as
the radius and angle from a starting point.
¡ Those points are more easily defined using polar
coordinates – a bolt circle for example.
¡ Polar Coordinates aren’t used inside CAM
generated programs, but they are very useful for
drawing the part geometry or when doing hand
program writing of polar entities.
Trade Tip
Using polar coordinates, often saves a trigonometry step during drawing or hand program
writing!
If the needed significant point is defined
Machining in radius-angle,
and CNC Technology by McGraw-Hill rather than X-Y, why do an
Higher Education
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