Numerical Control

BITS Pilani Pavan Kumar

Mechanical Engineering Department
Pilani Campus
 BITS Pilani
Pilani Campus

Introduction to Numerical Control

Topics

• Fundamentals of NC technology
• Basic components
• Motion control systems
• Advantages and disadvantages
• Direct and Distributed NC, CNC
• Statistical modeling of positioning systems.

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According to Electronic Industries Association (EIA):

“Numerical Control is a system in which actions are

controlled by direct insertion of numerical data at some
point. The system must automatically interpret at least
some portion of this data.”

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Numerical Control refers to the use of coded numerical
information in the automatic control of equipment
positioning and to do with motion (of cutting tools or the
part against a rotating tool), positioning, inserting etc.

The production steps are stored in a Part Program.

The part program is a set of statements that a machine

control system can interpret and converted them into
signals that move the spindles and drive the machine
tool

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Fundamentals of NC
technology
Basic Components of NC System:

1. Part Program of instructions.

2. Machine Control Unit (MCU)
3. Processing Equipment (Station)

Program of Machine Control

Processing
instructions Unit
Equipment /
Station

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NC Coordinate System

1. Prismatic system – for flat and prismatic work parts.

2. Rotational System – for rotational parts.

Both the axis system are based on Cartesian coordinate

system.

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Figure for NC coordinate system prismatic work part

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Figure for NC coordinate system cylindrical workpart

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NC MACHINE
CLASSIFICATIONS
1. Motion control:
point to point (PTP)
continuous (contouring) path

2. Control loops:
open loop
closed loop

3. Power drives:
hydraulic, electric or pneumatic

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4. Positioning systems:
incremental
absolute positioning

5. Hardwired NC and soft-wired Computer Numerical

Control (CNC)

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Motion Control Systems

1. Point –to- Point Vs Continuous Path Control

2. Absolute Vs Incremental Positioning System

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Point – to – Point Vs
Continuous Path Control
1. Point – to – Point:
• a.k.a Positioning System
• Moves the tool to the
programmed location
without regard to the
path taken to reach the
location.
• Used for Drilling,
reaming, punching
operations.

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2. Continuous path Systems
• Capable of continuous
simultaneous control of two or
more axis.
• Tools perform the process
while table is moving.
• Used to produce plain/curved
surfaces, contoured surfaces
etc.

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Interpolation Methods

1. Linear interpolation
– Straight line between two points in space
2. Circular interpolation
– Circular arc defined by starting point, end point,
center or radius, and direction
3. Helical interpolation
– Circular plus linear motion
4. Parabolic and cubic interpolation
– Free form curves using higher order equations

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Circular Interpolation

Approximation of a curved path in NC by a series of straight

line segments, where tolerance is defined on only the inside of
the nominal curve

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Circular Interpolation

Approximation of a curved path in NC by a series of straight line

segments, where tolerance is defined on only the outside of the
nominal curve

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Circular Interpolation

Approximation of a curved path in NC by a series of straight line

segments, where tolerance is defined on both the inside and
outside of the nominal curve

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Absolute Vs Incremental
Positioning System
Absolute Positioning: The workhead locations are always
defined with respect to origin of axis system.

Incremental Positioning: the next workhead location is

defined relative to the present location.

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Absolute Positioning

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Incremental Positioning

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Computer Numerical Control

Computer Numerical Control (CNC)

“an NC system whose MCU is based on a dedicated

micro computer rather than on a hardwired controller.”

The latest computer controllers for CNC feature high-

speed processors, large memories, solid-state-flash
memory, improved servos and bus architectures.

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Features of CNC

1. Storage of more than one part program

2. Various forms of program input.
3. Program editing at machine tool.
4. Fixed cycles and programming subroutines.
5. Interpolations
6. Positioning features for setup
7. Cutter length and size compensation
8. Acceleration and deceleration calculations
9. Communications interface.
10. Diagnostics.

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Machine control unit for CNC

MCU consists of
1. Central Processing Unit
2. Memory
3. I/O interface.
4. Controls for machine tool interface and spindle speed.
5. Sequence controls for other machine tool functions.

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Configuration of MCU
Input / Output interface
Memory •Operator Panel
Central Processing Unit
•ROM – OS •Taper Reader
(CPU)
•RAM – Part program

Sequence Controls
Machine Tool Controls •Coolant
•Position Control •Fixture Clamping
•Spindle Speed Control •Tool Changer

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Distributed Numerical Control
(DNC)
Central Bulk Memory
Computer NC Programs

Telecommunication lines

BTR =
Behind the
taper
reader.
BTR
MT MT MT MT =
MCU MCU MCU
Machine
Tool

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There are several ways to configure a DNC system. Some
of them are:

(i) Switching Network, and

(ii) LAN

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Switching Network

DNC
Computer
MCU MT MCU MT
Data
Switching
Box

MCU MT MCU MT

MCU MT

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It is the simplest system to configure. It uses a
data switching box to make a connection from
the central computer to a given CNC machine
for downloading part programs or uploading
data. Transmission of programs is accomplished
through a RS-232-C connection. Use of
switching box limits the number of machine tools
that can be included in the DNC system.

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LAN

DNC
Computer

DNC DNC
Computer Computer

MCU MT MCU MT
MCU MT MCU MT

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Here the computer system is organized in a
hierarchy, with the central computer coordinating
several satellite computers that are themselves
responsible for a number of CNC machines.

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Thank you.

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