Module 2 APT
Module 2 APT
APT PROGRAMMING
(Automatically Programmed Tool)
CNC PROGRAMING
The different types of NC programming are:
1. Manual Part Programming (G-Code)
2. Computer Assisted Part Programming (English like statements)
3. Part Programming Using CAD/CAM
1. APT part programme –written in APT language (English statement)
2. APT programme processor- converts into cutter location file (CLDATA)
3. APT post processor-produces NC files from cutter location data
Point-to-point motions
There are two commands; GOTO
GOTO/P2
GOTO/25.0, 40.0,0
more complicated than PTP commands - because the tool’s position must be
continuously controlled throughout the move.
Four APT modifier words of the motion statement words are
TO, ON, PAST, and TANTO
Note that GO/TO is not the same as the GOTO command. GOTO is used only for PTP
motions.
GO/ON,
GO/TO,
GO/PAST
GO/TANTO
GOLFT commands the tool to make a left turn relative to the last move
GORGT commands the tool to make a right turn relative to the last move
GOFWD commands the tool to move forward relative to the last move
GOBACK commands the tool to move in reverse direction relative to last move
GOUP commands the tool to move upward relative to the last move
GODOWN commands the tool to move down relative to the last move
Postprocessor statements
Postprocessor statements control the operation of the machine tool and play a
supporting role in generating the tool path. Such statements are used to define cutter
size, specify speeds and feeds, turn coolant flow on and off, and control other features
of the m/c tool. command/descriptive data
Postprocessor
1. UNITS/MM indicates that the specified units in the program are INCHES or MM.
2. INTOL/0.02 specifies inward tolerance for circular interpolation
3. SPINDL/1000, CLW specifies spindle rotation speed in revolutions per minute. Either
CLW (clockwise) or CCLW (counter-clockwise) can be specified. (SPINDL/OFF)
4. CUTTER/20 defines cutter diameter for tool path offset calculation
5. DELAY/30 temporarily stops the machine tool for a period specified in seconds.
6. FEDRAT/40,IPM specifies feed rate in in/min as specifies in UNITS statements. RAPID
engage high feed rate for next moves.
7. COOLNT/FLOOD turns fluid one (COOLNT/MIST)
8. (COOLNT/OFF)
9. LOADTL/01 used with automatic tool changing.
Postprocessor command/descriptive data
In some commands, the descriptive data is omitted. Some examples
of the postprocessor statements are the following:
1. UNITS/MM indicates that the specified units in the program are
INCHES or MM.
2. INTOL/0.02 specifies inward tolerance for circular interpolation
3. SPINDL/1000, CLW specifies spindle rotation speed in revolutions per
minute. Either CLW (clockwise) or CCLW (counter-clockwise) can be
specified. (SPINDL/OFF)
4. CUTTER/20 defines cutter diameter for tool path offset calculation
5. DELAY/30 temporarily stops the machine tool for a period specified in
seconds.
6. FEDRAT/40,IPM specifies feed rate in mm/min or in/min as specifies
in UNITS statements. (FEDRAT/4,IPR)
7. RAPID engage high feed rate for next moves.
8. COOLNT/FLOOD turns fluid one (COOLNT/MIST)
9. (COOLNT/OFF)
10. LOADTL/01 used with automatic tool changing
Auxiliary statements
Auxiliary statements are used to identify the part program,
specify which postprocessor to use, insert remarks into the
program, and so on. Auxiliary statements have no effect on the
generation of tool path.
1. PARTNO is the first statement in an APT program, used to
identify the program;
2. REMARK is used to insert explanatory comments into the
program that are not interpreted or processed by the APT
processor.
3. FINI indicates the end of an APT program.
GO/TO/L2,
GORGT/L2, PAST, L3
GORGT/L3, TO, L4,
GOLFT/L4, TANTO, and C1
GOFWD/C1, TANTO, and L5.
The cutter is moving along a drive surface, L1, toward a check surface, and stops
to the line L2.
When it arrives at L2, the cutter will make a right turn and move along L2 and past the
new check surface L3. Note that L2 changes from a check surface to a drive surface the
moment the cutter begins to move along it.
The cutter is moving to the right, it makes a left turn if one is looking in the direction of
travel of the cutter. In writing the motion statements, the part programmers must imagine
they are steering the cutter. The drive surface now becomes L4 and the check surface, C1
This movement could continue indefinitely, with the cutter being guided by the drive,
part, and check surfaces
PARTNO SIMPLE MILLING REMARK Defining Motion
MACHIN/CNC1 Statements
UNITS/MM CUTTER/10
REMARK/ Defining Geometry SPINDL/350
STARTPT=POINT/0, 0, -20 FEDRAT/30
P1=POINT/50, 50, -20 COOLANT/ON
P2=POINT/100, 50, -20 FROM/STARTPT
P3=POINT/100, 100, -20 GO/TO L1, TO, PL1, TO, L3
P4=POINT/50, 150, -20 GORGT/L1, TANTO, C1
L1=LINE/P1, P2 GOFWD/C1, TANTO, L2
C1=CIRCLE/P3, RADIUS, 50 GOFWD/L2, PAST, L3
L2=LINE/P4, LEFT, TANTO, C1 GOLFT/L3, PAST, L1
L3=LINE/P1, P4 GOTO/STARTPT
PL1=PLANE/P1, P2, P3 COOLNT/OFF
FINI
REMARK Motion Statements
SPINDL/600, CLW Spindle turned on to 600rpm clockwise direction
FEDRAT/6 feed rate set to 6 inches
per minute
COOLNT/ON coolant is turned on
FROM/STARTPT Tool is called from its starting location
GO/TO, L1, TO, PL1, TO, L3 Initializing contouring motion
GORGT/L1, TANTO, C1 Tool moves along L1 till tangent to C1
GOFWD/C1, PAST, L2 Tool moves along C1 till goes past L2
GOFWD/L2, PAST, L3 Tool moves along L2 till it crosses L3
GOLFT/L3, PAST, L1 Tool moves along L3 till it crosses L1
RAPID Tool is set to rapid mode
GOTO/STARTPT Tool is taken back to starting location
COOLNT/OFF Coolant is turned off
SPINDL/OFF Spindle is turned off
FINI End of program
DRIVE SURFACE –PART SURFACE –CHECK SURFACE
The two APT descriptive words are used to identify the center
and radius. The orientation of the circle perhaps seems
undefined.
• L1 = LINE/P0, P1 specifies a line by two points, previously defined.
• L1 = LINE/1.0, 1.2, 1.3, 2.0, 2.1, 2.3 specifies a line by two points, given as
explicit coordinates.