Computer numerical control: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 00:32, 7 May 2005

Revision as of 01:04, 7 May 2005

Line 20:

==Today==

An entire manufacturing process known as CAD/CAM has developed around the NC concept and, in addition, CNC with its powerful microprocessors and other enabling technologies proffered from the personal computing phenomenon has enabled the NC concept to branch into many variants, even a variant that is essentially record/playback. In the industry, these machines are called teach lathes. In addition, powerful and well crafted human/machine interfaces allow the machine operator to prepare programs by means of interactive displays which request only the definition of the machining operation and its required parameters (such as the dimensions of a pocket) and not the actual tool path with all the calculations that are there required. Anyone today who knows machining concepts and blueprint interpretation can produce programs at the machine without the need for CAD/CAM. Nonetheless, the vast majority of programs are produced with CAD/CAM and for most users, CNC today, for all its gigahertz microprocessors and megabytes of real time kernel software, is conceptually no different from the first NC demonstrated by the M.I.T. in 1952.

In addition, powerful and well crafted human/machine interfaces allow the machine operator to prepare programs by means of interactive displays which request only the definition of the machining operation and its required parameters (such as a "pocket" and its dimensions) and not the actual tool paths with all the calculations that are there required. Anyone today who knows machining concepts and blueprint interpretation can produce programs at the machine without the need for CAD/CAM. Nonetheless, the vast majority of programs are produced with CAD/CAM and for most users, CNC today, for all its gigahertz microprocessors and megabytes of real time kernel software, is conceptually no different from the first NC demonstrated by the M.I.T. in 1952.

If there is a difference in concept, it is that CNC is not just for the spindle and cutting tool process of stock removal anymore. It is for any process that can be carried on a machine tool motion platform that benefits from the separation of programming from operations, that is, from the CAD/CAM process. This includes lasing, welding, friction stir welding, ultrasonic welding, flame cutting, bending, spinning, pinning, gluing, fabric cutting, sewing, tape and fiber placement, routing, sawing and processes not yet invented.

If there is a difference in concept, it is that CNC is not just for the spindle and cutting tool process of stock removal anymore. It is for any processprocesses that can be carried on a machine tool motion platform that benefits from the separation of programming from operations, that is, from the CAD/CAM process. ThisThese includesinclude lasing, welding, friction stir welding, ultrasonic welding, flame cutting, bending, spinning, pinning, gluing, fabric cutting, sewing, tape and fiber placement, routing, sawing and, processesundoubtedly, notthe yetindustrial processes of inventedtomorrow.