Automatically Programmed Tools

(APT)
Part will be defined in the Cartesian
coordinate system as shown in fig.1.
z

y
x
 Part Programming
APT (Automatically Programmed Tool) is a
software compiler for simplifying numerical
.control Programming

Developed by MIT in 1959

APT is the most widely used processor

03/29/20
 APT
APT (Automatically Programmed Tool) is a
software compiler for simplifying numerical
.control Programming

Developed by MIT in 1959

APT is the most widely used processor

03/29/20
APT (Automatically Programmed Tool) is a language
for defining tool paths on CNC machines. It was the
predecessor to today’s CAM software, created in the
late 1950s to define complex tool paths in the
aerospace industry in the US. It was developed in
MIT labs, the same place where the first NC machine
.was invented

APT was created before graphical user interfaces

were available, and so it is based on text to specify
the geometry and tool paths needed to machine a
part. It has English-like commands: GOLFT for Go
Left, TANTO for Tangent to
You first write a program in APT, software converts it
into a series of tool coordinates called Cutter Location
Data (CLD). Another piece of software, a translator
called a Postprocessor, then converts the CLD into
an NC program (the G and M code program) that is
understood by the machine. You feed the NC
.program into the machine and cut the part
 APT Characteristics
Three-dimensional unbounded surfaces and points are•
defined to represent the part to be made

Surfaces are defined in a X-Y-Z coordinate system•

In Programming, the tool does all the moving; the part is•
.stationary

Linear interpolation is used for curved tool paths•

03/29/20
 APT Statement Types (5)
Identification•
Geometry•
Motion•
Postprocessor (feed, speed, coolant, …•
etc.)
Auxiliary (tool, tolerance, part, … etc.)•

03/29/20
The general format for geometric statements is:

<Symbol> = Geometric Type/ Definitional

Modifiers
 Point (POINT)

PTA = POINT/ 3,4,5

y
(3, 4, 5)

PTA

x
 Point (POINT)

PTB = POINT/ INTOF, LIN1, LIN2

LIN2

PTB
LIN1
 Point (POINT)

y
PTD = POINT/ YSMALL, INTOF, LIN3, C1

PTD = POINT/ XSMALL, INTOF, LIN3, C1

PTC

PTC = POINT/ YLARGE, INTOF, LIN3, C1

PTC = POINT/ XLARGE, INTOF, LIN3, C1 LIN3

C1

PTD

x
 Point (POINT)

y
PTE = POINT/ YLARGE, INTOF, C1, C2

PTE = POINT/ XLARGE, INTOF, C1, C2

C1

PTE
PTF = POINT/ YSMALL, INTOF, C1, C2

PTF = POINT/ XSMALL, INTOF, C1, C2

PTF C2

x
 Point (POINT)

PT7 = POINT/ CENTER, C6

C6

PT7

x
 Point (POINT)

PT11 = POINT/ P63, RADIUS, 7.3, ATANGLE, 27

PT11

7.3

27°

P63 = 3.1, 6.7

x
 Line (LINE)

LIN1 = LINE/ P1, P2

P2

P1

LIN1

x
 Line (LINE)

LIN4 = LINE/ PT6, 15, -30, 3

PT6

L4 (15, -30, 3)

x
 Line (LINE)

LIN10 = LINE/ 20, 3.5, 0.2, 31, 6.2, 1.3

y
(31, 6.2, 1.3)

(20, 3.5, 0.2)

L10

x
 Line (LINE)
L12 = LINE/ PT4, ATANGL, 20, XAXIS
L14 = LINE/ PT1, ATANGL, 40
L15 = LINE/ 32, -3, 2, ATANGL, -15, XAXIS
L16 = LINE/ PT3, ATANGL, 40, YAXIS

y
PT3 L14

40°
PT1 L12
L16
PT4

40° 20°

15° x
L15
(32, -3, 2)
 Line (LINE)

LIN = LINE/ POINT, ATANGL, ANGLE (in degrees), LINE

y
LINE2

P1

30° LINE1

LINE2 = LINE/ P1, ATANGL, 30, LINE1

x
 Line (LINE)
LIN = LINE/ SLOPE, SLOPE VALUE, INTERC, MODIFIER, d
where the slope value is y/x. The modifier options are [XAXIS,
YAXIS], and d is the corresponding intercept value on the
selected axis (i.e., modifier).

LINE1

LINE1 = LINE/ SLOPE, 1, INTERC, XAXIS, 6

x
(6,0) Point of X-Intercept
 Line (LINE)

LIN = LINE/ ATANGL, DEGREES, INTERC, MODIFIER, d

The modifier options are [XAXIS, YAXIS], and d is the
corresponding intercept value on the selected axis (i.e.,
modifier).
y

LINE1

LINE1 = LINE/ ATANGL, 30, INTERC,

 = 30° XAXIS ,d
x
d
 Line (LINE)

The LEFT & RIGHT modifier indicates whether the line

is at the left or right tangent point, depending on how
one looks at the circle from the point.

L1 = LINE/ PT51, LEFT, TANTO, C11

L1

C11

PT51
 Line (LINE)

L2 = LINE/ PT51, RIGHT, TANTO, C11

L1 = LINE/ PT40, RIGHT, TANTO, C11
L4 = LINE/ PT40, LEFT, TANTO, C11

L3 Right

PT40
L1

Left

Left L4

PT51

Right L2
 Line (LINE)

L6 = LINE/ LEFT, TANTO, C3, LEFT, TANTO, C4

L6
Right
C4
Left
C3
Right
Left

L8 L9
L7
 Line (LINE)

L7 = LINE/ LEFT, TANTO, C3, RIGHT, TANTO, C4

L7 = LINE/ LEFT, TANTO, C4, RIGHT, TANTO, C3

L6
Right
C4
Lef
C3 t
Right
Left

L8 L
9
L7
 Line (LINE)

L8 = LINE/ RIGHT, TANTO, C3, LEFT, TANTO, C4

L6
Right
C4
Left
C3
Right
Left

L8 L9
L7
 Line (LINE)

L9 = LINE/ RIGHT, TANTO, C3, RIGHT, TANTO, C4

L9 = LINE/ LEFT, TANTO, C4, LEFT, TANTO, C3

L6
Right
C4
Left
C3
Right
Left

L8 L9
L7
 Line (LINE)

LN3 = LINE/ PNT6, PARLEL, LN15

LN4 = LINE/ PNT5, PERPTO, LN13

y
PNT6 PNT5
LN3

LN4

LN15
LN13

x
 Plane (PLANE)

LN5 = LINE/ INTOF, PLAN1, PLAN2

LN5

PLAN1

PLAN2
 Plane (PLANE)

PLAN10 = PLANE/ PT6, PT12, PT15

PLAN10
PT15

PT6 PT12
y 3.0

PT4
z
PLAN14

x
 Plane (PLANE)

PLAN14 = PLANE/ PT4, PARLEL, PLAN10

PLAN14 = PLANE/ PARLEL, PLAN10, YSMALL, 3.0

PLAN10
PT15

y PT6 PT12
3.0

PT4

z
PLAN14

x
 Circle (CIRCLE)

C1 = CIRCLE/ 3, 6, 5, 4.3
C1 = CIRCLE/ CENTER, PT3, RADIUS, 4.3
y
C1

4.3

PT3
(3,6,5)

x
 Circle (CIRCLE)

C3 = CIRCLE/ CENTER, PT6, TANTO, LN4

C7 = CIRCLE/ CENTER, PT8, PT5
y y
LN4
PT5

PT6 PT8
C3 C7

x x
 Circle (CIRCLE)

C3 = CIRCLE/ YLARGE, LN6, XLARGE, LN4, RADIUS, 2.0

C3 = CIRCLE/ XLARGE, LN6, YSMALL, LN4, RADIUS, 2.0

C1
y
3.0
C3

C2
2.0 YSMALL
1.5
YLARGE

LN4 LN6

XLARGE x
 Circle (CIRCLE)

C1 = CIRCLE/ YLARGE, LN6, YLARGE, LN4, RADIUS, 3.0

y C1

3.0
C3

C2
1.5 2.0 YSMALL

YLARGE

LN4
LN6
XLARGE
x
 Circle (CIRCLE)

C2 = CIRCLE/ XSMALL, LN6, XSMALL, LN4, RADIUS, 1.5

C2 = CIRCLE/ YLARGE, LN4, YSMALL, LN6, RADIUS, 1.5

C1
y
3.0
C3
C2
1.5 2.0 YSMALL

YLARGE

LN4 LN6
XLARGE
x
 Cylinder (CYLNDR)

<Symbol> = CYLNDR/ <axis modifier>, TANTO, <1st

plane>, <axis modifier>, TANTO, <2nd plane>,
RADIUS, <radius value>

The axis modifier depends on the relationship of the

cylinder center point to the tangent point of the plane the
modifier precedes.
 Cylinder (CYLNDR)

CYL3 = CYLNDR/ XLARGE, TANTO, PLAN5, YSMALL, TANTO, PLAN10, RADIUS, 2.0

z
PLAN5
2.0

y PLAN10
CYL3
x
 Geometry Example
Top view
5.0 in.
The top view of a plate is Tangent point

shown in the following 0.4 in.

figure. The outer shape of 0.7 in.

1.25 in.
0.7 in.
this plate is to be milled &
the grid holes drilled. It is 4.0 in.
12 0.375
in. holes
1.0 in. 1.0 in. 1.0 in. 1.0 in.
therefore necessary to
define the geometry of the
Tangent point
part, i.e. its outer shape &
the location of the holes.

0.5 in.

Side view
 Geometry Example
PT1 = POINT/ 4, 5, 0 PT1 = (4,5,0)

PT2 = POINT/ 5, 4.6, 0 L1

PT3 = POINT/ 8, 4.6, 0 PT2 PT3

PT4 = POINT/ 8, 3.2, 0 1.25 in.

PT5 = POINT/ 9, 3.75, 0
C1 = CIRCLE/ CENTER, PT5, RADIUS, 1.25 L3 PT5
PT4
PT6 = POINT/ 4, 1, 0
L1 = LINE/ PT1, LEFT, TANTO, C1
L3 = LINE/ PT1, PT6 y L2
L2 = LINE/ PT6, RIGHT, TANTO, C1
PLAN1 = PLANE/ PT1, PT2, PT3 PT6 = (4,1,0)

PLAN2 = PLANE/ PARLEL, PLAN1, ZSMALL, 0.5 x

Z=0
PTN1 = PATERN/ LINEAR, PT2, PT3, 4 z
PTN2 = PATERN/ LINEAR, PT3, PT4, 3 0.5 in.
PTN3 = PATERN/ COPY, PTN2, UNLIKE, ON, PTN1
x
 The Machining Plan

Point- to- point: refers to operations requiring fast

movement (straight- line motions) to a point followed by
a manufacturing operation at that point.

FROM/ <point location>: denotes that the point location is a starting

point for the tool, with the end of the tool at that point.
GOTO/ <point location>: refers to a rapid, straight- line move to the
point location indicated.
GODELTA/ <coordinate increments>: commands the tool to move
incremental distance from the current position.
 The Machining Plan
P0 = (0,4,0.1)

1.0 in. 1.0 in.

P1 = POINT/ 1.0, 2.7, 0.1
1.3 in.
P2 = POINT/ 2.0, 2.7, 0.1 P1 P2

P3 = POINT/ 1.0, 2.0, 0.1

0.7 in.
P3

Z = 0.0

0.6 in.
 The Machining Plan

FROM/ PO P0 = (0,4,0.1)

GOTO/ P1
1.0 in. 1.0 in.
GODELTA/ 0, 0, -0.8 1.3 in.
GODELTA/ 0, 0, 0.8 P1 P2

GOTO/ P2
GODELTA/ 0, 0, -0.8 0.7 in.
P3

GODELTA/ 0, 0, 0.8
GOTO/ P3
GODELTA/ 0, 0, -0.8
Z = 0.0
GODELTA/ 0, 0, 0.8
GOTO/ PO
0.6 in.
 The Machining Plan

MACROS: A macro is a single computer instruction that

stands for a given sequence of instructions.

<name> = MACRO/ <possible parameters><sequence of instructions>

TERMAC
The macro can be used any time in the APT program by
CALL macro name (, list of parameters)
 The Machining Plan

P0 = (0,4,0.1)
PO = POINT/ 0, 4, 0.1
DELTA = MACRO/ DX, DY 1.0 in. 1.0 in.
GOTO/ DX, DY, ________ 1.3 in. P1 P2
GODELTA/ _______, ________, ________
GODELTA/ _______, ________, ________
TERMAC 0.7 in. P3

FROM/ PO
CALL DELTA/ DX = _______, DY = _______
CALL DELTA/ DX = _______, DY = _______
CALL DELTA/ DX = _______, DY = _______ Z = 0.0

GOTO/ PO
0.8 in.
 The Machining Plan:

Contouring:
Part surface: the surface on which the end of the tool is
riding.
Drive surface: the surface against which the edge of the
tool rides.
Check surface: a surface at which the current tool motion
is to stop.
 The Machining Plan

z
Drive surface Check surface

Direction of
cutter cutter motion

Part surface
 The Machining Plan

CS CS CS

DS DS DS

TO ON PAST
 The Machining Plan
TANTO :
A: GO/ TO, L1, TO, PL2, TANTO, C1
B: GO/ PAST, L1, TO, PL2, TANTO, C1

A (TO, L1)
Start point
C1
y

Check surface
L1 B (PAST, L1)

Drive surface

x
 The Machining Plan

Motion commands:
GOLFT/ : Move left along the drive surface
GORGT/ : Move right along the drive surface
GOUP/ : Move up along the drive surface
GODOWN/ : Move down along the drive surface
GOFWD/ : Move forward from a tangent position
GOBACK/ : Move backward from a tangent position
 The Machining Plan

GORGT/ <drive surface>, <check surface>

Start  A B  C  D  E  Start
z
FROM/ START
y
GO/ TO, L1, TO, PL1, ON, L3
GORGT/ L1, TANTO, C1
x
GOFWD/ C1, TANTO, L2 D
C

GOFWD/ L2, PAST, L3

L2
GOLFT/ L3, PAST, L1
L3 C1
GOTO/ START
L1
E

B
A Start
 Machining Specifications

Postprocessor commands for a particular machine tool are:

MACHIN/ : used to specify the machine tool and call the
postprocessor for that tool:
MACHIN/ DRILL, 3
COOLNT/ : allows the coolant fluid to be turned on or off:
COOLNT/ MIST
COOLNT/ FLOOD
COOLNT/ OFF
 Machining Specifications

FEDRAT/ : specifies the feed rate for moving the tool along the
part surface in inches per minute:
FEDRAT/ 4.5
SPINDL/ : gives the spindle rotation speed in revolutions per
minute:
SPINDL/ 850
TURRET/ : can be used to call a specific tool from an automatic
tool changer:
TURRET/ 11
 Machining Specifications

TOLERANCE SETTING: Nonlinear motion is accomplished in

straight-line segments, and INTOL/ and OUTTOL/ statements
dictate the number of straight-line segments to be generated.
INTOL/ 0.0015
OUTTOL/ 0.001
 Machining Specifications

Specified
Specified path
path

OUTTOL

INTOL
 Machining Specifications

PARTNO: identifies the part program and is inserted at the start of

the program.
CLPRINT: indicates that a cutter location printout is desired.
CUTTER: specifies a cutter diameter for offset (rough versus finish
cutting). If a milling cutter is 0.5 in. in diameter and we have
CUTTER/ 0.6
then the tool will be offset from the finish cut by 0.05 in.