Search

Biodiesel is known as an attractive alternative to traditional petroleum diesel fuel. It's clean burning, renewable and gentler on our fragile planet. But when it comes to biodiesel's effect on [...]

The advantages of open architecture, personal computer (PC)-based computer numerical controls (CNCs) in metalworking or machining have been discussed within the industry since about 1993. However, relatively few users have witnessed the apparently major benefits of such PC-based CNC functionalities on their shop floors. Controls with PC-based interfaces have, among other demonstrated advantages, proven to be generally very easy to network and permit ultra-high speed data transfer., To most users, the folk so far about the potential of 'open' PC-based CNCs has greatly exceeded the benefits. Here's one application that delivers the goods. While many people in [...]

PC-based computer numerical control (CNC) systems are replacing many proprietary control technologies used in machine tool operations. PC-based CNC systems offer the same performance as proprietary control systems at lower costs. In addition, they add design and control flexibility not found in proprietary control systems. Other major advantages of PC-based CNCs include high networkability and user-friendliness., PC-based machine tool controls are delivering the flexibility, performance, cost effectiveness and networking capabilities that today's shops and plants must have to stay competitive. Personal computers (PCs) are everywhere. Chances [...]

The introduction of more powerful PC-based machine tools has allowed many manufacturing plants to program tool paths on-line. On-line tool path programming enhances productivity and simplifies the translation of design dimensions into concrete models. Several companies such as GM's Power Train Casting Group and US Competition Arms have achieved substantial productivity and design flexibility enhancements by using on-line tool path programming., More powerful PC-based machine tool controls and interactive graphics programming software make a compelling case for shifting some of the part programming load onto the shop floor. More powerful programming [...]

An Indiana-based tail-light manufacturing company found it difficult to increase its production cycles. Consequently, it decided to eliminate its pattern-making processes, speed up finish machining and lessen the time devoted to handwork on the molds. The company purchased several new computer numerical control equipment such as LeBlond Makino's FNC vertical machining centers and SNC64 graphite machining centers. A discussion of how these new equipment improved production cycles and reduce costs is presented., A captive tail-light maker found itself struggling to keep up with shorter design cycles and lead times from its automaker parent. The plant was under pressure to increase mold production [...]

The advent of computer numerical control (CNC) technology has significantly advanced process control capabilities. However, production managers considering investments in CNC often have difficulties evaluating this rapidly-changing technology and its potential benefits and costs for their companies and machine systems. As computer speeds and capabilities advance, the standards used for evaluating a CNC's features must change. Two additional parameters for assessing CNCs, aside from the conventional block process time factor, are data transfer rate and interpolation rate. Another consideration is whether to invest in personal computer-based CNCs, which offer expert graphics, communications and data management capabilities. Managers need to choose control systems that are tailored to protect their machine tool investments. The best way to do so is to purchase a CNC from a reputable supplier for industrial applications., The International Manufacturing Technology Show is over--and the control vendors have stopped beating their chests about their newest inventions. For a while anyway. If you were at IMTS, you may [...]

Screw machine shops should invest in computer numerical control (CNC) machines. CNC machines are considered good investments since they are much more efficient and versatile than conventional cam-operated screw machines. The General Automation Inc screw machine shop, which utilizes CNC machines, has increased its competitive edge over other industry members. This is because their use of CNCs has resulted in faster workpiece cycles and easier machine set ups., Outdated secondary-operation machines were strangling the productivity of a Chicago-area screw machine shop's impressive battery of CNC screw machines. Now, CNC drilling and tapping machines and turning centers are providing [...]

Traverse City, MI-based Tool North Inc. manufactures high-volume machining systems for the automotive industry. Since 1994, the company has been incorporating Cellular Concepts CNC Wing Units into its machining systems. Tool North stresses that the CNC Wing Units provide its customers with a completely flexible computer numerical control module which can be easily reused and retools for new applications., Responding rapidly to changing customer requirements is essential in today's auto industry. It's also a formidable challenge for automotive suppliers, who are frequently called on to adapt their expensive production [...]

The B5.54 accuracy standard for machine tools recommends standards for determining the accuracy of new computer numerical control machine tools commercially available in the US. Unlike other foreign standards, this one includes every aspect of machine geometry and testing. The test covers linear displacement accuracy, bidirectional accuracy, volumetric performance and contouring performance. It establishes a universal language for machine accuracy, specifying that the inspection of new machines and reporting of their capabilities be performed through three tools. These are the ballbar, laser interferometer and spindle analyzer. Using accuracy statements based on B5.54 test, users of machine tools can now make apples-to-apples comparisons and get immediate results of each testing., The only thing better than knowing your machine tool just made a good part is knowing beforehand that it was going to make a good part. That knowledge is worth [...]

Machining centers and other types of equipment with computer numerical control (CNC) provide manufacturers with the flexibility they need in their production. According to one executive, CNC stations used as part of a manufacturing system or as the system itself can be reconfigured to allow for system changes needed when a product needs to be modified or when a new type of product will be manufactured. However, machining centers are not the only answers to flexibility problems. Even nonsynchronous transfer lines can be used to provide manufacturers with flexibility. The use of these unique lines involves the transportation of parts via independent pallets going into modular machining stations with local control. Companies that need to have flexibility while attaining higher volumes of production would do well to consider using these new instruments., What do you do when you still have some serious production to run yet aren't sure that dedicating resources to a transfer line is the right thing to do? There [...]

The second part of a two-part series on the four technology elements needed in the production of high-speed machine motion is presented. The processing speed of computer numerical controls (CNC) and automatic acceleration and deceleration (ACC/DEC) are discussed. Most of today's CNCs have processing speeds of over 20 milliseconds (ms), with some having speeds as low as 4 ms while others have speeds as high as 125 ms. Programmed path discontinuity should be recognized as playing a role in the ability of machines to respond to direction and feed rate changes., In discussions where the merits of high-speed machining are debated, a counter point often made is that the majority of machined workpieces lie idle for 95 percent of their manufacturing [...]

Open architecture computer numerical controls (CNCs) have experienced increased popularity in the manufacturing industry. Open architectures allow CNC developers to migrate controls into new technologies without having to design new hardware and software. Factors to consider when selecting open architecture CNCs include computing platform availability, third party software and hardware capabilities and connectivity., Interest in open architecture controls has risen sharply in most segments of manufacturing in the past few years. The following takes a fresh look at who benefits most from open [...]

Dual PC-based computer numerical controls (CNCs) were developed for parallel, high speed processing. One PC is dedicated for real-time activity while a second PC is used to handle workstation functions. A single PC platform CNC has a single processor PC together with the necessary software. Both dual PC- and single PC-based CNCs can provide effective control systems. Future CNC designs are hard to predict because of the existence of numerous factors.

Elsinore, CA-based CamSoft has developed a system that combines the functions of computer-aided design and manufacturing and computer numerical controls. The system allows users to translate graphics data into various servo motion controls during manufacturing runs. It also has a hardware-software toolkit that allows users to customize the control system for any two- and five-axis machine tool. The system runs on a Pentium-based personal computer with at least 40 MB of hard disk space, a 1.44 MB floppy disk drive, a Super VGA color card, two RS-232 ports and a joystick or trackball., Even though CAD/CAM and CNC are next-door neighbors in the process chain of preparing and then executing part programs, the two technologies have historically been worlds apart. CAD/CAM is supposed [...]

Machine job shops planning to purchase computer numerical control (CNC) systems for their turning and machining centers should consider several features such as user-friendliness and data processing speed. In addition, they should consider whether such systems are based on open or proprietary architecture. Other key considerations in selecting CNC systems include built-in diagnostics systems, flexibility to accept manual data programming and communications compatibility., If you are preparing to do your first evaluation for purchasing a CNC controlled machine, it may come as a surprise when you discover the wide variety of CNCs available [...]

Many machine shops are realizing the benefits of using computer numerical control (CNC) systems dedicated for 3D contouring work. In choosing which, systems to adopt, however, shops need to carefully consider different factors. One of the most important factors to consider is data transmission rate of 3D contouring CNC systems. Given the huge volume of data being processed for each job, CNC systems need ample data transmission rates to ensure cycle efficiency and accuracy., More and more companies are finding it necessary to machine complex three-dimensional shapes. With the increasing availability of excellent and relatively easy-to-use computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) systems capable of generating 3D [...]

A new control technology has migrated from the automobile industry to plastics processing. It's called CANbus, and it has started to change the way some familiar injection molding equipment works. [...]

Since numerical control was first introduced as a public product in 1954, it has revolutionized the manufacturing process in countless ways. Now known as computer numerical control (CNC), it still promises to contribute even more in terms of greater capability at lower costs. Advances are continuing, especially in the development of PC-based architecture, probing and adaptive machining and knowledge-based systems for automating the entire manufacturing process., Numerical Control (NC) turns 40 years old this year--that is if you start counting in 1954 when it was first introduced to the public as a product. In its lifetime, [...]

M codes are used in programming computer numerical control systems and inefficient use of these codes may lead to wasted program execution time. Therefore, programmers should be aware of exactly what will happen when a miscellansous function is given. M codes can be be controlled through confirmation signals. In addition, their behavior can also be manipulated by specifying whether they will take effect at the beginning or end of a particular command., The inefficient use of M codes in a program can result in wasted program execution time. It is important that the programmer know just exactly what will happen whenever a [...]

The innovative features of Velocity Feed Forward (VFF) in addressing the demands of high-speed machining are discussed. VFF, also called zero following, feed forward or velocity feed, is intended to decrease following error and achieve higher path accuracy at high contouring feed rates. The following error is measured by the velocity and position loop gain in the computer numerical control for every axis., The demand for high-speed machining has driven CNC machine tool builders to push their machines' drive systems to ever higher levels of performance to achieve higher contouring feedrates. Unfortunately there [...]

Basic probing applications are introduced in light of its increasing popularity on various forms of computer numerical controls. These applications involve in-process gaging which includes cycle time warning and an evaluation of its feasibility, tool data measuring which includes cutting tool data and fixture data and utility operations which include detection of tool and chip breakage and cast targeting., Probes are increasing in popularity on all forms of CNC equipment. Here, we introduce basic probing applications. While probes can be used for many purposes, applications for probing generally fall [...]

This three-part series will address one of the most overlooked features of CNC machining center controls. Here, in Part I, we will introduce the plane selection feature and show you [...]

Assuring That The First Part Comes Out On Size Last month, we discussed some of what goes into verifying a CNC program. While safely verifying the program is of the [...]

The need for universal data exchange between NC machines in the form of a 'neutral language' is by-no-means a new control requirement. It has been on the NC users 'want [...]

MDSI offers one of the truly open computer numerical controls (CNCs) in the market. Although purchasers can buy a control box or hardware from MDSI with an installed OpenCNC, they can also simply acquire an off-the-shelf personal computer and use it for their CNC. MDSI prides itself in being the sole company that markets its open system on a floppy disk. In fact, it even sells the software and offers a bill of materials for the control requirements for certain customers. Moreover, it can provide implementation guidance if necessary. Applications for the OpenCNC is diverse, ranging from lathes and mills to hobs and grinders., Nowadays, there are plenty of computer numerical controls (CNCs) that are said to be 'open.' Openness is a characteristic seemingly in close proximity to cleanliness - and we know what [...]

Toyoda Cutting Machine Div. is offering a new family of machines and related equipment that take the modular approach to machining. The new line of computer numerical control machine modules consists of TOP-M5, TOP-S and TOP-E4. The TOP-M5 machine, which rotates at 6,000 rpm and has a 50-spindle nose taper, is quite useful for high-accuracy boring. The TOP-S5, which has a 50-taper spindle and rotates at 6,000 rpm, is suitable for iron and aluminum machining while the TOP-S4, which features a 40-taper spindle and a rotation of 12,000 rpm, is good for cast iron and aluminum machining. Finally, the TOP-E4, which comes with a 40-taper spindle and a rotation of 10,000 rpm, is highly recommended for light-duty cutting, drilling and tapping, and works in some milling, boring, and reaming., A new line of CNC machine modules, developed by Toyoda, are ideally suited to powertrain, brake and component parts manufacturing. The modular approach to machining is being emphasized in a [...]

The introduction of the IBM PC allowed computer users to purchase and operate various software and hardware. PC-based machine tool control systems offer the same operating flexibility to machine shops. Machine job shops can purchase hardware from one retailer and run software purchased from another retailer. In addition, PC-based control systems can be edited to perform specific control functions., I enjoy comparing the computer market in the 1980s to the NC control market of today. There were a number of different manufacturers, all promoting their individual technologies. Hardware, software [...]

Computer numerical controllers (CNCs) facilitate intricate machining at top speed levels. Unlike programmable controllers (PLCs), CNCs requires only one line of code and can easily accommodote changes. PLCs are of value only when operations are repetitious, relatively uncomplicated and synchronized, as on a transfer line. However, the price and capability of CNCs may make investments on such control systems too costly. The C3 and C3-S CNCs for single- and dual-axis applications address these hindrances. Priced between $3,500 to $6,000, these new models provide speed and accuracy through its 32-bit computing ability that is usually seen in the better featured Mitsubishi controllers and an integrated PLC. The C3 and C3-S are intended for automotive transfer line applications, as well as for such functions as grinding, punching, pick and place, measuring, and bending. Programming can be performed in the traditional EIA/ISO language., For the past few years there has been a great deal of discussion about and development toward blurring the lines of distinction between what a programmable controller (PLC) is and [...]