Computer Numerical Control

Lecture 3
Part Programming for NC Systems

Dr Lina Momani
NC program
 A program for NC consists of a sequence of directions that
causes an NC machine to accomplish a certain operation.
 The NC program describes the sequence of actions of the
controlled NC machine.
 These actions include but are not limited to
1. component movements, incl. direction, velocity and
positioning;
2. tool selection, tool change, tool offsets, and tool corner wear
compensation;
3. spindle rotation and spindle rotation speed, incl. possibility to
change it to keep constant cutting speed for different diameters
in turning;
4. application of cutting fluids.
 A part program is simply an NC program used to manufacture a
part.
 Part programming for NC may be performed manually ( manual
part programming) or by the aid of a computer (Computer-aided
part programming).
 Many programming languages have been developed for part
programming.
 The first that used English like statements and one of the most
popular languages is called APT (for Automatically Programmed
Tools).
 Many variations of APT have been developed, including ADAPT
(ADaptation of APT), EXAPT (a European flavor of APT),
UNIAPT (APT controller for smaller computer systems), etc.
NC programming for complex parts are
generated using advanced computer
programs (CAD/CAM programs), which
create automatically the machine code (so
called G-code) in a graphic environment.
Machine code is also largely used for
manual part programming of simple
shapes .
Machine code
The structure of a NC program written in
machine code is standardized and for a
two-axis NC system has the following
format:

.Structure of a NC program
 NC program block consists of a number of program words.
 The NC program is executed block by block: each next
block is entered in the system and executed only after
entirely completing the current block.
 Each program word is an ordered set of characteristics,
letters and numbers, to specify a single action of the
machine tool.
 Program words fall into two categories,
1. modal, which are active in the block in which they are specified
and remain active in the subsequent blocks until another program
word overrides them;
2. non-modal, which are only active in the block in which they are
specified.
Some of the most important program
words are as follows
sequence numbers (N****)
Sequence numbers are a means of identifying
program blocks. In some systems they are not
required although sequence numbers are needed
in most canned cycles;
preparatory functions (also G-codes) (G**)

Preparatory functions are used to set up the

mode in which the rest of the operation is to be
executed.
Some of examples of G-codes are given
:in the table
 dimension words (D****.***), where D stands for X, Z,
U, or W
Dimension words specify the coordinate positions of the
programmed path. X and Z specify the absolute
coordinates, and U and W specify the incremental
coordinates (absolute and incremental programming are
explained later in this section);
 arc center coordinates (D****.***), where D stands for I,
or K
Arc center coordinates specify the incremental coordinate
position of the arc center (I in the direction of X-axis, and
K in the direction of Z-axis), measured from the arc
starting point;
 feed function (F**.**)
 spindle control function (S****)
Specifies spindle rotational speed in revolutions per
minute, or cutting velocity in meter per minute
depending on the type of NC system and machine tool;
 tool calls (F**.**)
The tool call word is used to access the required tool. It
also gives the information for the radial compensation of
tool corner wear for each new run of the program (and
each new part);
 miscellaneous functions (M**)
The M-function perform miscellaneous machine
actions .
The M-function perform miscellaneous
machine actions such as listed in the table:
Absolute vs. incremental programming
Absolute and incremental programming
specify the coordinates of points with
respect to the work coordinate system
(absolute coordinates), or from the point
where the component is located
(incremental coordinates):
Absolute (X and Z) and incremental (U and W) coordinates of point B, and
sections of NC programs showing both types of programming.
 Incremental positioning is also called a point-to-point
positioning (do not mix with point-to-point NC
systems).
 Both types of programming can be used for the whole
program or just for certain sections of the program.
 Which kind of programming to apply generally
depends on the type of dimensioning used in the part
drawing.
 The next figure illustrates some examples of different
dimensioning styles applied to one and the same part
configuration, which suggest either absolute, or
incremental, or mixed programming:
Program points
 The NC system must know where the part is
positioned in the work space.
 The procedure for defining the work coordinate
system (WPC) is called workpiece coordinate
setting.
 Two important factors deal with workpiece
coordinate setting, Œ
1. where the part datum (the origin of the WPC) is
situated with respect to the workpiece;  2. where
the part datum is situated with respect to the
machine tool.
The WPC origin may be located at any
part of the workpiece,
but to avoid dimensional recalculations
and respectively errors, the good
programmers will chose the WPC origin
at the point, from where the part features
are dimensioned:
 The methods for locating the positions of the WPC origin
with respect to the machine tool varies for each machine
tool.
 Some systems use a zero-set button to set the WPC origin.
 On other types of NC systems, the WPC is set with a G54
or a G92 code followed by X, and Z dimensions.
 The G54 code tells the machine where the position of the
WPC measured from the machine zero point is.
 Machine zero point (machine datum) is a fixed point on
the machine tool and cannot be programmed or altered.
 Another important point is the program start point (also
tool home position).
 This point is selected by the programmer at some
distance from the workpiece, not too far to save some
time when the tool returns home, and not too close to
allow for safe indexing of the tool turret when the
cutting tool is changed.
 The program, therefore the new part machining, starts
and ends with the tool at home position,
 But the tool needs also to be returned to home whenever
a tool change take place during the program execution.
 Some NC system use a G28 command to return to home
position; other systems return to home authomatically
when a tool change (M06) is commanded.
Linear and circular interpolation
 A G01 linear interpolation code moves the tool to a position
with coordinates defined with program words in a straight,
including angular line at the specified with F-code feed rate.
 The command is modal and is active until either a G00, or
G02, or G03 overrides it.
 NC system are capable of commanding a circular motion.
Arc movement is known as circular interpolation and is
carried out with a G02 (clockwise circular interpolation) or
G03 (counter clockwise circular interpolation) codes.
 The arc radius is specified either by the incremental
dimensional words I and K, which defines the position of arc
centerpoint with respect to the arc start point, or directly by
the radius R-code.
In both methods, the program block,
which starts with a G02 or G03 codes
must also include the coordinates of the
arc end point.
If R-code is used, arcs less than 180 o are
given a positive radius and arcs more than
180o are given a negative radius value:
Cycles
The repetitive program (and machining)
sequence is called a cycle.
Cycles are classified into two principle
groups,
1. canned cycles (also fixed cycles),
2. user-defined cycles (sub-routines).
Canned cycles
Canned cycles are an inbuilt feature of the
NC system.
 The usage of canned cycles makes easier
programming for threading, drilling holes
and other repetitive machining tasks
The next figure illustrates a thread cutting
canned cycle:
.Example of threaded canned cycle
User sub-routines
User sub-routines are useful, when the
necessary canned cycle is not available.
The user sub-routine is a NC program,
which describes a sequence of operations,
which is often repeated when machining
particular part.
 The sub-routine is called from the main
NC program with a M98 command.
A special type of user-defined cycles are so-
called macros, which are generic cycles with
parametric variables.
The macro is called from the main program with
a set of numerical values for these variables.
This allow to use one and the same macro to
machine different in size, but similar in shape
components.
Programming with macros is often referred to as
a parametric programming.