The information a programmer feeds to an N/C controller determines the results that will be achieved. The kinds of information an N/C controller requires can be grouped into the following categories:
- Preparatory commands to establish the desired operating conditions.
- Axis commands to move the cutter a certain distance in a certain direction.
- Feedrate commands to control cutter linear velocity.
- Spindle speed commands to control cutter rotational velocity.
- Miscellaneous commands to take care of the odds and ends, such as stop, turn off the coolant, change cutting tools, and rewind the memory.
- Identification commands, such as assigning a number to each block so the N/C operator can tell which command in a program is being executed, and assigning tool identification numbers so the controller knows which cutting tool to use.
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Updated Jan. 9, 2002
Copyright © 1988-2002 by George Stanton and
Bill Hemphill
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