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Many CNC machines can run unattended during their entire machining cycle, freeing the operator to do other tasks. This benefit gives the CNC user several side benefits including reduced operator fatigue, fewer mistakes caused by operating error, and consistent and predictable machining time for each workpiece. Since the machine will be running under program control, the skill level required of the CNC operator is also reduced as compared to a machinist producing workpieces with conventional machine tools.

The Heart of CNC: Motion Control

The most basic function of any CNC machine is automatic, precise, and consistent motion control. All forms of CNC equipment have two or more directions of motion, called axes. These axes can be precisely and automatically positioned along their lengths of travel.

Instead of causing motion by manually turning cranks and handwheels as is required on conventional machine tools, CNC machines allow motions to be actuated by servomotors under control of the CNC and guided by the part program. Generally speaking, the motion type such as, rapid, linear, and circular, the axes to move, the amount of motion, and the motion rate or means feed rate are programmable with almost all CNC machine tools.

A CNC command executed within the control, which commonly through a program tells the drive motor to rotate a precise number of times. The rotation of the drive motor in turn rotates the ballscrew. And the ballscrew drives the linear axis. A feedback device at the opposite end of the ballscrew allows the control to confirm that the commanded number of rotations has taken place.

Though a rather crude analogy, the same basic linear motion can be found on a common table vise. As you rotate the vise crank, you rotate a leadscrew that, in turn, drives the movable jaw on the vise. By comparison, a linear axis on a CNC machine tool is extremely precise. The number of revolutions of the axis drive motor precisely controls the amount of linear motion along the axis.

Directions of Motion (Axes)

The CNC programmer must know the programmable motion directions (axes) available for the CNC machine tool. The axes' names will vary from one machine tool type to the next. They are always referred to with a letter address. Common axis names are X, Y, Z, U, V, and W for linear axes and A, B, and C for rotary axes.

As stated, programs are made up of commands, and commands are made up of words. Each word has a letter address and a numerical value. The letter address tells the control of the word type. CNC control manufacturers do vary with regard to how they determine word names (letter addresses) and their meanings. The beginning CNC programmer must reference the control of manu-facturer's programming manual to determine the word names and meanings. Here is a brief list of some of the word types and their common letter address specifications.

• O - Program number (Used for program identification)
• N - Sequence number (Used for line identification)
• G - Preparatory function (See below)
• X - X-axis designation
• Y - Y-axis designation
• Z - Z-axis designation
• R - Radius designation
• F - Feedrate designation
• S - Spindle speed designation
• H - Tool length offset designation
• D - Tool radius offset designation
• T - Tool Designation
• M - Miscellaneous function

Rotary axis departures still require a letter address (usually A, B, or C) along with the endpoint for the motion. 91ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍøever, the endpoint for a rotary axis motion is specified in degrees (not inches or millimeters).

The Three Basic Motion Types

While your particular CNC machine may have more motion types which depending on your application, let's concentrate on the three most common types available on almost all forms of CNC equipment. After briefly introducing each type of motion, we'll show an example program that stresses the use of all three.

• Rapid Motion (Also Called Positioning)

This motion type is used to command motion at the machine's fastest possible rate. It is used to minimize the non-productive time during the machining cycle. Common uses for rapid motion include positioning the tool to and from cutting positions, moving to clear clamps and other obstructions, and in general, any non-cutting motion during the program.

• Straight Line Motion

This motion type allows the programmer to command perfectly straight line movements as discussed earlier during our discussion of linear interpolation. This motion type also allows the programmer to specify the motion rate (feed rate) to be used during the movement. Straight-line motion can be used any time a straight cutting movement is required, including when drilling, turning a straight diameter, face or taper, and when milling straight surfaces.

• Circular Motion

This motion type causes the machine to make movements in the form of a circular path. As discussed earlier during our presentation of circular interpolation, this motion type is used to generate radii during machining. All feed rate related points made during our discussion of straight-line motion still apply.