Principle and Operation of A CNC Machine

Principle and Operation of a CNC Machine
The working principle of a CNC machine is illustrated in below fig, the part
programme data is input to the control system through a suitable input medium
such as punched paper state or manual data input keyboard. The data is stored
in the data storage area, compared in the computation area, commands are
generated in the command generated area and distributed to the respective axis
servo-drives.
The servo drives get activated and the slides. The position feedback
transducer at each slide monitors the instantaneous position of the slides and
gives a feedback through the position feedback loop to the comparator where in
the instantaneous slide position is compared with the commanded position and
further commands are given to the axes servo-drives and hence the slides stops.
The velocity feedback loop monitors the commanded velocity of the slide.
CNC SYSTEM
Numerical control (NC) is a method employed for controlling the motions of

a machine tool slide and its auxiliary functions with an input in the form of
numerical data. A computer numerical control (CNC) is a microprocessor based
system to store and process the data for the control of slide motions and
auxiliary functions of the machine tools.
A modern NC machine tool is a microprocessor controlled and programmed
using its own programming language. Various terms are used to describe the
type of control such as NC, CNC, DNC.
Basic Configuration of CNC system
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Servo control
Operator control panel
Machine control panel
Other peripheral devices.
Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)
Working Principle of a CNC System

Central Processing Unit:- Central processing unit is the heart and brain
of a CNC system. This translates the part program which stored in memory to
position control signals, it also check the movement of control axis or spindle
whenever does not match with the program signal, a corrective action is taken.
The CPU also checks whether all safety conditions on the machines have been
full filled and whenever this does not happen. It takes necessary corrective
action, if the situation becomes beyond the control of CPU is takes the final
action of shutting down the machine.
All the compensations required for machine accuracies (like lead screw pitch
error, tool wear out, backlash etc) are calculated by the CPU depending upon the
corresponding inputs made available to the system. The same will be taken of
during the generation of control signals for the axis movement.
Servo Control Unit:- Servo control unit is which receives the feed back
signal of the actual movement of the machine tool slides from the feed back
devices. For example: Digital encoder. And which passes this information to
CPU for processing. The actual sense, the servo control units perform the data
communication between the machine tool and CPU. And also achieved actual
movements of slides on machine space tool through servo drives.
All movements controlled by the CNC machines and depending upon the type
of feedback system used in the system.
Types of Feedback System
1.Closed Loop system
2.Open loop system
Operator Control Panel:- The below figure shows the typical Fagor
control panel. Operator control panel provides the interface to facilitate two way
Communication between the user and the CNC system, this consists of two
parts.
1. Video Display Unit
2. Keyboard
1. Video display unit: Visual displays are the interface between controller and
user, good informative displays are very important for error free machine
operation. Early NC displayed only the current values of individual axes but
user was at least able to see, from almost any position, whether the axes were
still moving or already reached their target positions. This was major
improvement over the mechanical scales normal on machine tools at that time.
2. Keyboard:- The keyboard is the most common input device used for
computers. It is, however, awkward for entering geometric data for computer
aided design. It can be used as a string device, pick device, a valuator, a button
or a locator and it is most flexible of all the input devices.
The keyboard is usually used to enter commands. Commands may be to read the
file name for a previously stored part drawing, to input the X-Y co-ordinates for
a point or to describe some other geometry which is to picked or input into the
computes.
With the ASCII keyboard, the user enters the program block word by word, and
the CNC system stores the program in its program memory. Errors are corrected
in the same way with the aid of editor. CNC system especially designed for shop
floor programming have between five and ten so called soft keys in addition to
the normal keys.
These soft keys are programmable to offer regularly used special functions and
their functions being displayed on the VDU screen.
Machine Control Panel (MCP):-The features contained on the control

panel of the MCU are the direct interface between the machine operator and the
CNC system. The more common switches available on the control panel are
listed below.
Auto mode
Manual data input mode (MDI)
Reference mode
Discrete jogging switches
Block by Block mode
Input / Output mode
Other peripherals
Jogging switches
Programmable Logic Controller [PLC]:- A PLC matches the NC to the

Machine PLCs were basically introduced as replacement for hard wired relay
control panels. They were developed to be reprogrammed without hardware
changes when requirements were altered and thus are reusable.
It is a general purpose device and it can be programmed to control a different

types of machines. The programs can be very easily modified for a new jobs.
The concept of hardwired in shift to the software based and the consequent
replacement of Electromechanical devices by PLC improves reliability of
Industrial controls and reduces maintenance effect greatly.
Configuration of PLCs:-
1.Controller
2.Input / Output
3.Programming device or user
1. Controller:- It is a microprocessor based and it is constantly monitoring input

and output signals from controlled devices and memory is provided for
firmware that is manufacturers software and for a Erics Programs.
2. Input and Output:- The circuit converts incoming signals from the
controlled devices into the ones which are compatible with microprocessor. The
output circuitry perform the opposite function of adjusting processors signals to
those of the controlled devices.
3. User:- It is generally a keyboard with a display device, many

times it is possible to use a personal computer for programming the PLC.
Monitoring:- This is an order to identifying faults in the NC machine tool,

the machine and interface control at an early stages to largely prevent damages
occurring to the work piece, tool or machine. If any faults occurs, first the
machining sequence is interrupted and the drives are stopped, similarly the
cause of the fault is stored and displayed as an alarm and at the same time the
PLC is informed that an NC machine tool alarm exists in Hinumeric CNC
system
The following can be monitored
Position encoders and drives
Spindle speed
Temperature
System program memory

User program memory
Serial interfaces
Voltage
Transfer between NC and PLC
Format.
Diagnostics:- PLCs can perform self checking similar to computers and CNC
systems with the help of in built firmware. Then can also be programmed to
diagnose and identify faults in problem areas of Electromechanical devices like
limit switches, transducers, relays, motor starters and variety of peripheral
equipment, there capabilities result in lower maintenance effort and costs.
Machine Data:- A CNC system is designed as general purpose the CNC

interfaced to the machine by means of machine data. The machine data means
specific information that are fed into the NC controller at the time of
commissioning it on a particular CNC machine tool.
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Principle and Operation of a CNC Machine

Numerical control (NC) is a method employed for controlling the motions of

Basic Configuration of CNC system

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Operator control panel

Machine control panel

Other peripheral devices.

Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)

Working Principle of a CNC System

1.Closed Loop system

2.Open loop system

1. Video Display Unit

Machine Control Panel (MCP):-The features contained on the control

Programmable Logic Controller [PLC]:- A PLC matches the NC to the

It is a general purpose device and it can be programmed to control a different

1. Controller:- It is a microprocessor based and it is constantly monitoring input

3. User:- It is generally a keyboard with a display device, many

Monitoring:- This is an order to identifying faults in the NC machine tool,

The following can be monitored

Position encoders and drives

System program memory

Transfer between NC and PLC

Machine Data:- A CNC system is designed as general purpose the CNC

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