Computer numerical control: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 02:44, 5 May 2005

Revision as of 02:45, 5 May 2005

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Numerical control, (NC,) is the precursor of computer numerical control (CNC). Computer numerical control is the automation controller for machine tools and the cutting tool process of stock removal. The CNC machine tool is the servo actuator of the CAD/CAM process both literally and figuratively.

CNC inherits from NC its essential character of by-the-numbers interpolation of points in the work envelope of a motion platform based on the separation of programming from operations. The program - usually an ASCII text file where, to over simplify, a line of text is the rectangular coordinate of a point in the work envelope of the machine determined by the stroke limits of the servo axes - is prepared from a blueprint or CAD file and transferred to the memory of the CNC via floppy drive, serial data interface or a network connection. Once in the CNC memory and selected for execution, pressing a key called NC Start or Cycle Start on the machine operator panel causes the CNC to execute the program.