CONTENTS

Sr No
1.
2.

Name of the Chapter

INTRODUCTION

3.

MEANING OF CNC
USE OF TYPICAL CNC MACHINE

4.

PARTS OF CNC MACHINE

5.

CNC MACHINE - INPUT, PROCESS, OUTPUT

6.

CONTOL PANEL OF CNC

7.

CNC ROUTER - THE IMPORTANT PARTS

8.

CNC MACHINE AND SAFETY

9.

SETTING UP THE CUTTING TOOL TO THE

CORRECT LENGTH
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
OF CNC MACHINES

10.
11.

2D COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE

12.

3D COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE

13.

INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FLOWCHART

14.

REFRENCE BOOKS

INTRODUCTION

In Industry it is not efficient or profitable to make everyday products by

hand. On a CNC machine it is possible to make hundreds or even thousands

of the same items in a day. First a design is drawn using design software, and
then it is processed by the computer and manufactured using the CNC
machine. This is a small CNC machine and can be used to machine woods,
plastics and aluminum. In industry, CNC machines can be extremely large.

MEANING OF CNC
CNC means Computer Numerical Control. This means a computer
converts the design into numbers which the computer uses to control the
cutting and shaping of the material.

USE OF TYPICAL CNC MACHINE

1. The design is loaded into the computer which is attached to the CNC
machine. The computer changes the design into a special code
(numerical) that controls the way the CNC cuts and shapes the
material.

2. The material to be shaped is taped on to a block with double sided

tape. This must be done carefully so that it does not come off the
block during machining.

3. The block is then placed in the vice, inside the CNC. It must be
tightened up carefully. If it is not secure when the machine starts to
cut the material it can come away from the vice. When the machine
starts working, the vice moves up, down, right and left according to
the design.

4. The guard is placed in position. It protects the machine operator in

case the material is pulled out of the vice by the power of the cutter.
For safety reasons, if the guard is not in position the motor will not
start.

5. The CNC is turned on and the shape is cut from the material. When
the cutter has stopped the shaped material can be removed from the
vice.

PARTS OF CNC MACHINE

VICE: This holds the material to be cut or shaped. Material must be held
securely otherwise it may 'fly' out of the vice when the CNC begins to
machine. Normally the vice will be like a clamp that holds the material in
the correct position.

GUARD: The guard protects the person using the CNC. When the CNC is
machining the material small pieces can be 'shoot' off the material at high
speed. This could be dangerous if a piece hit the person operating the
machine. The guard completely encloses the dangerous areas of the CNC.
CHUCK: This holds the material that is to be shaped. The material must be
placed in it very carefully so that when the CNC is working the material is
not thrown out at high speed.
MOTOR: The motor is enclosed inside the machine. This is the part that
rotates the chuck at high speed.
LATHE BED: The base of the machine. Usually a CNC is bolted down so
that it cannot move through the vibration of the machine when it is working.
CUTTING TOOL: This is usually made from high quality steel and it is the
part that actually cuts the material to be shaped.

CNC MACHINE - INPUT, PROCESS, OUTPUT

A CNC production facility needs three pieces of equipment:

A Computer:
The computer is used to draw the design. However, the design is only a
picture and the CNC machine cannot use this to manufacture the product.
The computer software must also convert the drawing into numbers
(coordinates) that the CNC machine can use when it starts to cut and shape
the material.
An Interface:
A computer cannot be directly connected to a CNC machine. The computer
is connected to an interface. This converts the signals from the computer to a
form that the CNC machine understands. The signals are in the form of
digital signals when they are sent to the CNC machine.
CNC (Computer Numerical Control) Machine:
The signals from the interface control the motors on the CNC machine. The
signals determine the way the vice moves. The vice moves in three
directions X, Y and Z. (Horizontally, vertically and depth). The signals also
control the speed of the cutting tool.

CONTROL PANEL OF CNC

A CNC machine is normally controlled by a computer and software.

However, most CNC machines have a range of controls for manual use. It is
rare for a CNC machine to be used manually as simple operations are best
carried out on cheap/basic/manual machines. When a CNC machine is used
manually it is been used well below its capability and specification.

RESET BUTTON: The must important control button is usually the reset
button. When the CNC machine is turned on, the reset button is pressed by
the machine operator. This zeros the cutter, moving the cutter to
coordinates 0, 0, 0 on the X, And Z axis. In simple terms, the reset button
moves the cutter to the corner of the machine, above the work table.
If the reset button is not pressed, it is possible that the CNC machine will
start cutting the material in the wrong place or even miss cutting the material
and plunge into the work table.
MANUAL CONTROL: The cutter can be controlled manually although
this is rarely needed. The X and Y buttons control the movement of the
cutter along the horizontal surfaces. The Z buttons control depth and up /
down movement.
STOP BUTTON: Most control panels have stop buttons. When pressed
these stop the machine very quickly.

SPEED AND FEED: On some CNC machines it is possible to manually

vary the speed and feed of the cutter.

CNC ROUTER - THE IMPORTANT PARTS

CNC MACHINES AND SAFETY

CNC machines are very safe to use as they are designed to be as safe as
possible. One of the main advantages of CNC machines is that they are
much safer than manually operated machines.

1. Most modern CNC machines are designed so that the cutting tool will not
start unless the guard is in position. Also, the best CNC machines
automatically lock the guard in position whilst the cutter is shaping material.
The guard can only be opened if the cutter has stopped.
2. It is essential that pupils / students / machine operators receive quality
instruction before attempting to use any CNC equipment.
3. CNC routers, used for shaping materials such as woods and plastics, have
built in extraction. Dust can be very dangerous if inhaled and can also cause
eye irritation. The CNC Router shown above has an outlet for an extraction
unit. As the router is fully enclosed, dust cannot escape into the atmosphere.
If an extraction unit is attached the dust is removed automatically. Most
manually operated machine routers have very limited extraction systems
which leave some dust in the air.

4. The CNC router above has a single phase electrical supply. Older
machines such as manually operated milling machines and centre lathes

have three phase supplies. A single phase electrical supply can be plugged
into any available socket. The electrical supply for the machine comes
through a residual circuit breaker (RCB). If an electrical fault develops the
RCB will cut off electrical power immediately.
5. Single phase CNC machines can be moved more easily because they are
simply unplugged and relocated. Three phase machines are specially wired
by an electrician into the electrical supply and cannot be unplugged.
6. Most CNC machines work behind a guard or even a closed, transparent
safety door. This means that the operated cannot be hurt by 'flying' pieces of
sharp/hot material.
7. Commonsense applies to the use of all machines including CNC
machines. Basic safety training regarding working in a workshop and with
other machines applies to CNC machines as well.

SETTING UP THE CUTTING TOOL TO THE

CORRECT LENGTH

One of the few operations that the machine operator carries out is to
change the cutting tool. Each CNC machine has a range of cutting tools.
Straight cutters chamfer V-groove and radius cutters are some examples. If a
detailed design is being manufactured, it may be necessary to change the
cutting tool at least once during the manufacturing process. It is very
important that all the cutters are set up to exactly to the same length in the
cullet. If this is not done the material being machined will be machined at
incorrect depths.
A special depth gauge is used to accurately set up the cutting tools. (See
diagram below). This rule applies to all CNC machines although different
techniques may be used depending on the type of the CNC machine.

A pair of spanners is used to loosen the cullet and locking nut. The cutting
tool can then be removed and the new tool put in position. Once the depth
gauge has be used to check the distance from the end of the cutting tool to
the cullet, the spanners are used again to tighten the cullet and locking nut.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

OF CNC MACHINES
CNC (Computer Numerical Control machines) are widely used in
manufacturing industry. Traditional machines such as vertical millers, centre
lathes, shaping machines, routers etc. operated by a trained engineer have, in
many cases, been replaced by computer control machines.

COMPUTER NUMERICAL CONTROL

MACHINE

MANUALLY OPERATED
CENTRE LATHE

ADVANTAGES

DISADVANTAGES

1. CNC machines can be used

continuously 24 hours a day, 365
days a year and only need to be
switched off for occasional
maintenance.
2. CNC machines are programmed
with a design which can then be
manufactured hundreds or even
thousands of times. Each
manufactured product will be exactly
the same.
3. Less skilled/trained people can
operate CNCs unlike manual lathes /
milling machines etc... Which need
skilled engineers?
4. CNC machines can be updated by
improving the software used to drive
the machines
5. Training in the use of CNCs is

1. CNC machines are more

expensive than manually operated
machines, although costs are
slowly coming down.
2. The CNC machine operator
only needs basic training and
skills, enough to supervise several
machines. In years gone by,
engineers needed years of training
to operate centre lathes, milling
machines and other manually
operated machines. This means
many of the old skills are been
lost.
3. Less workers are required to
operate CNC machines compared
to manually operated machines.
Investment in CNC machines can
lead to unemployment.

available through the use of virtual

software. This is software that allows
the operator to practice using the
CNC machine on the screen of a
computer. The software is similar to a
computer game.
6. CNC machines can be
programmed by advanced design
software such as

4. Many countries no longer teach

pupils / students how to use
manually operated lathes / milling
machines etc... Pupils / students
no longer develop the detailed
skills required by engineers of the
past. These include mathematical
and engineering skills.

Pro/DESKTOP, enabling the

manufacture of products that cannot
be made by manual machines, even
those used by skilled designers /
engineers.
7. Modern design software allows the
designer to simulate the manufacture
of his/her idea. There is no need to
make a prototype or a model. This
saves time and money.
8. One person can supervise many
CNC machines as once they are
programmed they can usually be left
to work by themselves. Sometimes
only the cutting tools need replacing
occasionally.
9. A skilled engineer can make the
same component many times.
However, if each component is
carefully studied, each one will vary
slightly. A CNC machine will
manufacture each component as an
exact match.

2D COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE

There are two types of computer aided design software. 2D design

software allows the designer to design shapes with very limited three
dimensional properties. Do not underestimate the designs that can be
achieved through 2D software.
1. The design is drawn using software such as Tec Soft 2D Design. At
first appearance this software looks basic but, depending on the skill
of the designer, quite complex designs can be produced.
The example shown is a simple block of material with initials.

2. When the design is complete the drawing is processed. This converts

the drawing into a detailed series of X, Y and Z coordinates.
Processing must take place before the CNC machine can cut the
design from material.
When the CNC machine shapes the material the cutter follows the
coordinates, in sequence, until the shape has been manufactured.

3. Most CAD/CAM software allows the designer to test the manufacture

of his/her design on a computer rather than actually making it. This
saves time and materials. Testing designs is carried out using
simulation software. When the design is run through simulation
software the computer displays the manufacturing on the screen. It
also checks whether or not the design can be manufactured
successfully. Many designs have to be altered before they can be made
by a CNC machine.

4. After all the testing and improvements to the design, it can finally be
manufactured on a CNC machine.

3D COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE

3D Design software allows the designer to produce three dimensional
representations of his/her ideas. When completed the design can be viewed
on the screen and it can even be revolved and examined at any angle. 3D
software is much more complex than 2D software such as Tec Soft 2D
design. It requires specialist training before it can be used competently.
1. The designer draws up the design using software. The design can be
examined in detailed and if modifications/alterations are needed they
can be made on the screen.
Software of this type allows the designer to model his/her idea on the
screen rather than make/manufacture an expensive model. Good 3D
software allows the designer to design almost any item.

2. The design is processed. When the design has been completed using
software it must be exported as a stereo lithography file. This type of
file can be imported into processing software which converts the
drawing into a long list of coordinates. Each set of coordinates is
called a G code & M code.

3. Most CAD/CAM software allows the designer to test the manufacture

of his/her design on a computer rather than actually making it. This
saves time and materials. Testing designs is carried out using
simulation software. When the design is run through simulation
software the computer displays the manufacturing on the screen. It
also checks whether or not the design can be manufactured
successfully. Many designs have to be altered before they can be made
by a CNC machine.

4. An advanced CNC machine can be used to manufacture the three

dimensional product. This CNC is both fast and accurate making
suitable for school and industrial use.

INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FLOWCHART

REFERANCE BOOKS

Sr
Author
No.

Title

Publisher

Mr. Sanjay Raut

CNC machine &

Programing

Pune Vidyarthi Gruh,

Pune

Mr. Jitendra Kulkarni

CNC Machine

Standard Publishers

Antech Technology

Advance CNC
Machine &
Programming