WHAT IS PROGRAMMING?

INTRODUCTION
NC (Numerical Control) machine tools require a set of command data in order to operate. The work of creating the data is called programming. This is for basic programming. This bases its descriptions on FANUC Series 15MA. In case of using another controller, slight differences may be found. 1.1 Numerical Control NC is an abbreviation of Numerical Control, which is a control system for machines using numerical data. The NC machine tool is a machine tool equipped with a NC control unit. The NC machine tool is operated by a NC program in which information, such as the cutter movement, feedrate or spindle speed, is included with a specified format, instead of human manual operation. 1.2 Outline of Programming A conventional machine tool is operated by the operator. With NC machine tools, the operating commands are given in the form of NC data. Programming is the process of coding machining conditions such as cutting dimensions, processing orders, cutter movements or axes feedrates all under fixed regulation which refers to the drawing to instruct NC machine tool. The following shows a typical job flow for NC machine tools.

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Drawing

Machining plan

Manual programming

Automatic programming

NC data Paper tape / Floppy disk / DNC etc.

Numerical controller

Machine tool 1.2.1 Manual programming Manual programming is firstly to describe in format that the NC unit can receive a program; secondly to perform operations manually until NC data is created. 1.2.2 Automatic programming For complicated workpieces, such as three dimensional shapes, programming by manual procedure may be too difficult and an automatic programming system aided by computer is required. In this case, the NC data is automatically generated, without any manual calculation, by inputting drawings into the computer system.

This is to help understand the process of manual programming. But even if the programming is automatic, it is important that the operator be able to understand and recognize the command codes given by an automatic programming system.

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Programming Flow

Drawing
Selection of NC machine tools

Examination of fixtures

Design / manufacturing of fixtures

Processing order Selection of tools Machining condition Tooling sheet

Data preparation

Tooling Numerical controller

Machine tool

Machining

Confirmation of machining range by NC and selection of NC machine tool type to be used. Examination for mounting procedure of workpiece and fixture mechanism. Process classification and cutter paths (roughing and finishing). Selection of type and size of cutting tools and holders. Machining conditions such as spindle speed, cutting feedrate or coolant on / off. Calculation of coordinates which are not shown directly on the drawing. Preparing the process sheet. Preparing the NC data. 1.4 Movement of Machine Axes NC machine tools are largely classified into two types, depending on the machine configuration. One is the vertical spindle type, such as the bed type milling machine or the knee type milling machine. The other is the horizontal spindle type, such as the column traveling type machining center or the saddle traveling type machining center. These machine tools are shown to the next page.

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Generally, these machine tools provide three machine axes; X, Y and Z. And they are fed positive and negative directions. The components and directions fed to the machine are different depending on the machine type. The programming, however, is performed on the principle that only the cutter moves while the workpiece is fixed. Therefore there is no need to take the machine type into consideration.

This is because NC program is based on the tool movement.

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 The positive and negative directions of tool movement are determined by the right hand system. As shown in the drawing on the above, the positive and negative directions of tool movement are determined by the right hand system. The thumb, the index finger and the middle finger of the right hand indicate X, Y, and Z, respectively. This means that, when the tool moves in the arrow directions, they are the positive directions and that the directions opposite to them are the negative directions.

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