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Understanding
Computer Numerical Control
Computer Numerical Control then came into the picture when
computers were introduced. Punched cards were replaced by floppy
disks, cables, and other software transfer media. This made it
easier to manage and edit data.
Have you ever asked yourself how machines in a factory know
exactly when to stop making the parts they’re supposed to make?
Well, this is all because of Computer Numerical Control (CNC).
But to understand CNC, you have to know what Numerical Control
(NC) is.
HISTORY
NC machines were first introduced after the 2nd world war as
mass production became the trend. These machines were given a
set of instructions in punched cards. However, these machines
were hard-wired and their parameters were difficult to change.
These NC machines still required a great deal of human
intervention. To illustrate this point, try to take a look at a
drill press. A lot of actions have to be taken in order to
manufacture a product. The process is actually so complicated
that a person has to do something almost every step of the
production process. This created an avenue for errors to take
place as the likelihood of fatigue increased with the quantity
growth.
CNC then came into the picture when computers were introduced.
Punched cards were replaced by floppy disks, cables, and other
software transfer media. This made it easier to manage and edit
data.
Production and manufacturing were revolutionized by the
increased automation of CNC machines. These machines allowed a
degree of added control over the quality and consistency of the
components that were manufactured without any additional strain
on the operators. This reduced the frequency of errors and
allowed the operators time to perform additional tasks.
Furthermore, this automation allowed a greater degree of
flexibility in the way components are held in the manufacturing
process.
With the advent of Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM), even
programming CNC machines is a snap. These programs actually take
the bulk of the programming process to make the operation less
tedious. However, to be an effective programmer of CNC machines,
you have to know what the machine you’re working on will be
doing. That is why machinists are often the best people for the
job.
The ease that the machines provide is hinged heavily on the
quality of the machine. Low-cost CNC machines oftentimes have
many functions that have to be manually activated. High-cost
machines, however, are almost fully automated. The operator only
has to load or unload workpieces. Once the cycle has been
initiated, the operator just has to sit back and watch for any
malfunctions. The stress on the operator is so low that some
even complain of boredom in the middle of a cycle.
CODING
The programming language that CNC uses is called a G-Code. These
codes actually position the parts and do the work. To be able to
have a machine work properly, you have to input the correct
variables such as axes, reference points, the machine
accessories, and whatnot. Every machine has a different set of
variables so you have to be careful to take note of the
differences.
Aside from the G-Code, logical commands or parametric
programming can be used to make the process more time-efficient.
This type of programming language shortens lengthy programs with
incremental passes. A loop can also be programmed thereby
removing the need for coding repetitions.
Because of these features, parametric programming is more
efficient than CAM. It allows users to directly and efficiently
make performance adjustments. It also allows extensions to the
functionality of the machine it is running on.
And that makes CNC.
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