|
|
Understanding and Using CNC Machines
Home » Manufacturing » CNC » Understanding and Using CNC MachinesSince CNC machines are found in practically every factory, or small job shop, it would do you well to understand and be aware of these machines and how to use them. Everyone from the design engineer to the tool engineer has to understand the concept of CNC in order to design the tools that are used by these machines in the process of manufacturing. Even managers, foreman, and anyone else who has responsibility on the floor, needs to know about CNC and how to use them, so they can help their follow workers when a need calls for it. And lastly, the machine operator should know about CNC since he uses them during the course of a day in the factory.
To learn about CNC and how to use the machines, you need to learn some key facts about them. These facts include:
• CNC Fundamentals: No matter what machine you are using, as long as it is a CNC it has a common benefit to it – automation. By being automated, it helps cut down on operator performance. It also saves on the operator having to perform repetitive tasks. This way the operator can perform other tasks while the machine is working. This also helps reduce the operator’s fatigue level thereby lessening mistakes caused by fatigue. The other benefit is a consistent and accurate output. Every product produced is made the same way.
• Motion Control: The CNC machine has three types of functions it uses: automatic, precise, and consistent motion. Motion control allows for this. CNC machines can be programmed to follow certain motions or movements including rapid, linear, and circular. The operator counts how many revolutions are made by the hand wheel plus the graduations on the dial. A feedback device counts and confirms the proper amount of ball screw revolutions that have occurred. The programmer than inputs a series of commands in the CNC, telling it how many revolutions to make.
• The CNC Program: The CNC program sends out commands in a form of sentences. These sentences use commands that start with letters and numerical values. The letters tell the control what the word is and the numerical value tells the control the value of that word. To make sure you understand how this works, when a program is executed it does so line by line. When one line is executed, the next line is executed. It follows this pattern until every line in the program executes and closes.
This is the basics of CNC. There is a lot more involved but hopefully will get you started on the road to learning more about CNC so you can feel more confident when you have to work with one.
Related CNC Articles