CNC TECHONOLOGY

Dr. Hongjun Liu

Mechatronics Engineering school
SAU
Office:Mechanical Building 507-2
Phone:13386878635
Mail:13386878635@189.cn
 Course Objectives
• Know well basic principles of numerical
control technology, control systems
• Master basic knowledge of CNC machining
technology,especially:interpolation
• Master CNC programming techniques
• Training Students engage in simple NC
system development and application of NC
machining and programming capabilities.
 Content
• CNC Theory
– Basic knowledge of CNC system
– Tool path control theory
• CNC Programming
– Basic knowledges for CNC programming
– Lathe and milling CNC programming
– Mathematical method for programming
– CAM
 Chapter 1 Introduction
I-1 Concept
– CNC(Computer Numerical Control) technology
- using numerical signal to controll mechanical
movement and work process.
– Automated control of machine tools by a Rather than
a person
computer and computer program.
– A computer converts the design produced by
Computer Aided Design software (CAD), into
program. The program can be considered to be
the coordinates, instructs etc and controls the
movement of the cutter.
– It is a integration product of mechanical,
electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, optical.
 I-2 Construction and principle of CNC
machine tools
• Very similar in construction to conventional
machine tools
• Conventional milling machines
Vertical Milling machine
architecture

Sketch of a vertical milling machine

Conventional milling machines
Horizontal Milling machine architecture

How does the table move along X- Y- and Z- axes ?

CNC machine tools

• Motion control is done by: servo-controlled motors

• Has a motor mounted on each lead screw
• A computer to control the motors, and sensors to keep track of the
table position and velocity

Table
Leadscrew
Encoder A/C Motor
~

Servo Controller

Counter Comparator

Input (converted from analog to digital value)

Construction of CNC machine tools
CNC machine tools have different purposes in
various fields, however, any CNC machine tool has a
similar construction.
Servo
mechanism

Control CNC Machine tool

medium device reality

Assistant
control
 1. Control medium
The CNC machine tool requires no direct manual
operation during working, but must perform as the
operator required.
A “bridge” between human being and the machine tool is
known as the control medium, carring all required
machining information for the CNC device.
• Punched tape
• Punched card
• Magnetic tapes
• Floppy disks
• Flash disks
• Hard disks
2. Machine control unit
Control medium

• The core of the CNC machine tools

• Implement: input program, storage, Reader

data transform, interpolation

algorithm and realize all kinds of Input port
control functions
• Functions include: Processor and Controller
– The coordinate control (multi-axis
control);
– The implementation of multiple Memory
function interpolation (a straight line,
arc and parabola, etc.); Output port
– Code conversion (EIA/ISO ,
British/Metric , decimal-to-binary
etc.); Servo mechanism

Figure Construction of a CNC

device
3. Servo system
• As the executor of a CNC system, consists of a servo
motor and servo drive system.
• The servo system drives the cutting tools or worktable,
and/or actuates accessories to perform maching as
required.
• The operating information is in the form of pulses.
• Each pulses produces a displacement of relevant movable
part, which is known as pulse equivalent.
3. servo system
• Accuracy and repeatability depend very much on the
characteristics and performance of the servo drive system.
• Classified as spindle drives and feed drives.
• Electric motors are by far the most common component to
supply mechanical input to a linear motion system.
– They exhibit favorable torque-speed characteristics and are
relatively inexpensive.
– Used in high capacity CNC machines requiring high
torque.
– Sturdy, powerful and reliable
 Feedback system

• It can be included in servo system.

• It's function is to measure velocity and displacement
information and then feedback to control unit.
• Include:
• Measure components
encoder,grating scale,rotating transformer

•Processing circuits
amplification, shaping, frequency multiplication
4. Machine tool reality
• The main body of a machine tool, consisting of a basis(base
and bed) and movable components(worktable,
carriage,spindle).
• Has all the mechanical components to perform machining
processes.
• It features of:
– Since most CNC machine adopts the high-performance
spindle and servo transmission system, therefore, its
mechanical transmission structure is simplified, short
transmission chain.
– Better rigidity and anti-vibration of the structure.
– Efficient transmission components, e.g. ball screw-nut
pairs, rolling ways, etc.
• In order to adapt the numerical control machine
tool to work automaticaly and continuously, its
mechanical structure must has higher accuracy and
the dynamic stiffness and better wear-resisting
performance, thermal deformation is smaller.
5. Assistant control system

• A sort of electric control equipments connecting the CNC

device and mechanical components.
• Receives instruction signals from the CNC device. After
decoding, logic judgment and power amplification for
the signals, the machine tool will be acting as desired
driven by its electric, hydraulic, pneumatic or mechanical
appliances.
 I-3 Work principle of CNC machine tools
Drawings
• CNC machine work process
Programming

• Programming according to drawings. Program list

• Program input(NC device reading

Control medium
maching program)
• Program decoding NC device
• Tool compensation
Calculation
• Interpolation
• Servo mechanisms controlling machining Servo mechanism
process(spindle, feeding, tool changing,
Machining
clamping, cooling, lubricating, etc.)
Products

Figure Work principle

Advantages of CNC

- Easier to program;
- Easy storage of existing programs;
- Easy to change a program
- Avoids human errors
- Safer to operate
- Complex geometry is produced as cheaply as simple ones
- Usually generates closer tolerances than manual machines
I-4 Clasifications of CNC machine tools
Based on functions:
General CNC machine tools or Machining center

Based on Motion Type:

Point-to-Point or Continuous path

Based on Control Loops:

Open loop or Closed loop

Based on Power Supply:

Electric or Hydraulic or Pneumatic

Based on Positioning System:

Incremental or Absolute
Classifications--by functions

• General CNC machine tools

• Similar to conventional machine tools
• CNC lathe, CNC milling machine, CNC borer,
CNC driller, etc.
Vertical,horizontal, ganry milling machine

• Machining center
• Refers to a CNC machine tool with a magazine and
cutting tool changing mechanism.
• Better accuracy, efficiency, automation and lower
running cost.
Classifications-- by motion control types
• Point-to-point
• Only the end point of motion need to be precisely
controlled
• No machining process during moving and locating
• Straight line control
• Ensure the moving path and speed between start point
and end point
• Machining is performed during moving
• Contouring control
• Continuous control.
• It controls at least two axes at the same time and
performs interpolation.
Classifications-- by motion control types
• Point- to- Point:
• Only the end point of motion need to be precisely
controlled
• No machining process during moving and locating
• Move in straight lines
• Limited in practical sense to hole operations:
• Driller, punch, reaming, boring etc
• Straight milling cuts parallel to a machine axis
• When making the tool move, all relevant drive motors
run at the same speed

Cutting of 450 angles possible but not angles or arc

other than 450 angles
Types of CNC Control Systems
• Point- to- Point machines:
– Move to (X1, Y1)
– Move to (X2,Y1)
– Move to (X3',Y3) where X3'<X3
– Move to (X3, Y3)
– Move to (X4,Y4')
– Move to (X4,Y4)
Types of CNC Control Systems
• Point- to- Point
machines
Angle and arc
segments must be
programmed as a
series of straight line
Types of CNC Control Systems
Contouing control

•Cause the tool to maintain

continuous contact with the part
as the tool cuts a contour shape.
•Has the ability to move the drive
motors at varying rates of speed
while positioning the machine

•The cutting of arc segments and

any angle can be easily
accomplished.
•Noted that output motion by
interpolating each position of the
tool.
 Different Types of Motion Control

• Point- to- Point

tool movement

• Continuous- Path
tool movement
Classifications-- by servo mechanisms
• Loop systems are electronic feedback systems that
send and receive electronic information to and
from the drive motors
• The type of system will affects the overall
accuracy of the machine
• According to inspection and feedback
components, can be classified into:
• Open loop servo.
• Closed loop servo.
• Semi-closed loop servo.
Loop Systems -- Open loop servo

• The moving speed and displacement is accuracy

?
determined by frequencand the number of
pulse since no inspection and feedback
component.
• Simple construction, Low cost, convenient
adjustment, stabel performance.
Loop Systems -- Open loop servo
• The machine receives
information from the reader and
stores it in the storage device
• When the information is needed
it is sent to the drive motor(s)
• After the motor has completed a
signal is sent back to the storage
device to tell that the movement
has been completed and the next
instruction may be received
• There is no process to correct for
error induced by the drive
system
 Loop Systems -- Open loop servo
• An open loop system utilizes stepping motors to create
machine movements. These motors rotate a fixed
amount(usually 1.80 for each pulse received).

•Stepping motors are driven by electrical signals coming

from the MCU. The motors are connected to the machine table
ball-nut lead screw and spindle.

•Upon receiving a signal, they move the table and/or spindle

with a fixed amount. The motor controller sends signals back
indicating the motors have completed the motion.

The feedback, however, is not used to check how close the

actual machine movement comes to the exact movement
programmed.
Loop Systems -- Closed loop servo

• Inspection components were built in worktable.

 Loop Systems -- Open loop servo
• Receives information from
INPUT the reader and stores
MEDIA
• The motor's position is
monitored by the system
MCU and compared to what was
STROAGE
STROAGE COMPARING
COMPARING sent.
READER
READER
CIRCUIT
CIRCUIT
MEMORY
MEMORY
• If an error is detected the
necessary correction is sent
to the drive system.
MOTOR
MOTOR • If the error is large, the
CONTROLLER
CONTROLLER
machine may stop executing
the program for correcting
the inaccuracy.
DRIVE FEEDBACK •
DRIVE
DEVICE
Most errors produced by the
MOTOR
MOTOR
drive motors are eliminated.
 Loop Systems -- Closed loop servo
•Special motors called servos are used for executing
machine movements in closed loop systems.

•Motor types include AC servos, DC servos, and

hydraulic servos.

•The speed of an AC or DC servo is variable and

depends upon the amount of current passing through it.

•The speed of a hydraulic servo depends upon the

amount of fluid passing through it.

•Linear endoders
Loop Systems -- Semi-closed loop servo

•Inspection components are mounted on the motor.

 •Provide reasonable accuracy, which is usually
between that of open loop and closed loop.

•Stable because of short control circuit.

•The speed of a hydraulic servo depends upon the

amount of fluid passing through it.

Many motors come equipped with a rotary

encoder as an integrated part of the
design.
Open loop control of a Point-to-Point NC drilling machine
NOTE: this machine uses stepper motor control
Components of Servo-motor controlled CNC

Motor lead screw rotation table moves

Motor speed control feedback position sensed by encoder

Two types of encoder configurations

Motion Control and feedback

Encoder outputs: electrical pulses (e.g. 500 pulses per revolution)

Rotation of the motor  linear motion of the table: by the leadscrew

The pitch of the leadscrew: horizontal distance between successive threads

One thread in a screw  single start screw: Dist moved in 1 rev = pitch

Two threads in screw  double start screw: Dist moved in 1 rev = 2* pitch
Question 1

A Stepping motor of 20 steps per revolution moves a machine table

through a leadscrew of 0.2 mm pitch.

(a) What is the BLU(pulse equivalent) of the system ?

(b) If the motor receives 2000 pulses per minute, what is the linear
velocity in inch/min ?
Question 2

A DC servo-motor is coupled to a leadscrew (pitch 5mm) of a machine table.

A digital encoder, which emits 500 pulses per revolution, is mounted on the
leadscrew. If the motor rotates at 600 rpm, find

(a) The linear velocity of the table

(b) The BLU of the machine

(c) The frequency of pulses emitted by the

encoder.
I-5 The Historical Development of CNC Machine Tools
Increasing complexity of aircraft components
1949
US Air Force asked MIT to develop a "numerically
controlled" machine.

1952
Prototype NC machine tool demonstrated (punched tape
input)
Vacuum tube

Blade of jet engines

I-5 The Historical Development of CNC

Servomechanism
Laboratory of MIT
finally demonstrated a
working milling
machine in 1952.
I-5 The Historical Development of CNC

By the end of 1950s'

The second generation of the NC machine tool whose
control circuits mainly consisted of transistors was
successfully developed.
The actual availability of NC machine for the aerospace
industry was around 1955. Integrated circuits
Rapid advancement parallel with the developments in
electronics and microelectronics since late 1960’s.

Stage1 1950s-1970s NC
Stage2 1970s-1980s CNC
Stage3 1990- PC platform
DNC: external computer “drip feeds” control programmer
to machine tool controller
I-5 The Historical Development of NC
 I-6 Advantages, limitations and applications

Advantages
NC Machine Toolss Conventional Machine Tools
• Less machining time and less expensive • Setup time, workpiece-handling time,
for parts because of the idle (non-cutting) tool-changing time, etc.
time is reduced

• Higher precision and better consistent, • Precision is largely determined by the

because of automation and the absence of human skill.
interrelated human factors

• Less scrap since almost no operator skill is •Scraps generated due to operator errors
needed
• Simple jigs and fixtures depending upon • part geometry generated by those
the part geometry controlled by part expensive jigs and fixtures
programs

• Less inspection time taken about the tool • the measurement is a time consuming
compensations job
 Advantages, limitations and applications
NC Machine Tools Conventional Machine Tools
• Less type of tools due to part program • certain type of form tools for profile

• Less lead time and save the floor space • carried out on several conventional
thanks to a variety of machining machine tools
operations completed by one NC machine

• Lower processing times. • the part has to be processed through a

number of machine tools which are located
in different departments.

• Optimum the parameters such as feeds

and speeds

• high flexibility due to easier to modify to • depending upon expensive and time
part design consuming changes in jigs, fixtures and
tooling

• Higher capability because of rigid

construction
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Advantages, limitations and applications

Limitations
NC Machine Tools
• Higher cost of NC machine tool

• More educated and trained to the Operators

• Special training for the personnel manning

• Higher investments for maintenance skilled personnel and

expensive spares

• Higher running costs

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Advantages, limitations and applications
Applications
NC Machine Tools Examples

• Metal cutting machine tools • Milling machines, lathes, drilling

machines, grinding machines and gear
generating machines

• Metal forming machine • Presses, flame cutting machines, pipe

bending and forming machines,
folding and shearing machines

• Inspection machines • Co-ordinate Measuring

Machines(CMM)

• Filament winding or assembly

machines

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I-8 The development trend of NC machine tool
• To realize the automatic, long and continuous
processing
• Higher speed, high precision development
• Higher utilization rate of machine tools and
production efficiency
• More reliable
• Easier to operation
• Automatic programming
• All landowners have strong function built in the
machine tool programmable controller
• Higher communication function.
• Lathe
Questions
1. Briefly explain the principle of Computer Numerical Control
for machine tools.
2. Explain the advantages and limitations of CNC machine
tools.
3. Explain open loop, close loop control system; point-to-point
and continuous system.
4. Explain the difference between a stepper motor and a
seromotor.
5. Explain the features of CNC machine tools.
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