Computer Numerical Control: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 17:02, 19 June 2005

Revision as of 08:40, 22 June 2005

Line 1:

''{{dablink|This is an article about computer-controlled machines; for an article about the French bicycle manufacturer, see [[CNC (bicycles)|CNC]] or for the police force see [[Civil Nuclear Constabulary]]''.}}

[[Image:Small CNC Turning Center.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A CNC Turning Center]]

The abbreviation '''CNC''' stands for '''''C'''omputer(ized) '''N'''umerical(ly) '''C'''ontrol(led)'', and refers specifically to the [[computer]] control of [[machine tool]]s for the purpose of (repeatedly) [[manufacturing]] complex parts in [[metal]] as well as other [[material]]s, using a [[program]] written in a [[notation]] conforming to the EIA-274-D standard and commonly called ''[[G-code]]''.

CNC was developed in the late [[1940s]] and early [[1950s]] by the [[MIT Servomechanisms Laboratory]]. CNC machines were relatively briefly preceded by the less advanced NC, or [[numerically controlled|Numerical(ly) Control(led)]], machines.

==Tools with CNC variants==

Line 20:

In a production environment, a series of CNC machines may be combined into one station, commonly called a "cell", to progressively machine a part requiring several operations. CNC machines today are controlled directly from files created by [[Computer-aided design|CAD]] [[software]] packages, so that a part or assembly can go directly from design to manufacturing without the need of producing a drafted paper drawing of the manufactured component. In a sense, the CNC machines represent a special segment of [[industrial robot]] systems, as they are programmable to perform many kinds of [[machining]] operations (within their designed physical limits, like other robotic systems).

CNC machines were relatively briefly preceded by the less advanced NC, or [[numerically controlled|Numerical(ly) Control(led)]], machines.

==External links==