What is CNC Machine Parts

It's the first text written to fully integrate basic machine tool and CNC concepts throughout. Beginning in the first chapter, the differences between manually-operated and CNC equipment are shown and compared. The text is written for introductory courses, and does not assume previous machining background on the part of readers. Part I discusses the basics of today's integrated manufacturing world. In Part II students learn to safely set up and run manually operated equipment, always with the goal of transferring their skills to CNC systems. Computer is programmed with the use of software tools, like CAD and CAM to create the parts correctly by making the right and accurate movements. As there are a number of CNC machined parts available that are used in these machines, so before getting these parts, you should take the machine into account

CNC Machine Parts

CNC machined parts used in a CNC machine, and are generally used for various purposes such as cutting, routing, milling, drilling or anything that can be operated on materials like wood and metal. These machines are used in manufacturing processes using the automatic procedure from computer to help build forms and shapes which should be accurate. CNC machined parts are used to process raw materials that are put into the machine and cutting tools are used to shape them in various forms. For this process, they need computers that have a number of storage units and run on one or more microprocessors.

CNC Machine Parts

Axis, cutting tools, control panel, coolant supply tube, table and spindle are some of the common CNC machined parts. These CNC processes save a lot of time of the operators and also save a lot of business money because they are automated. The operator can load the material and then program the machine according to the needed work, and the machine will perform the task. The machine will follow the instructions and give out results after running for the given time. Once you set all the work and load the material, your work is completed because the machine will do the rest of the work.



If you want to work fine with CNC machined parts, then it is required to understand the operation of the machine. Apart from knowing the general procedure for running the machine, you must also know the CAM and CAD codes to program it. Since CNC machines work on routing, so you should also know the basic routing procedure.

CNC MACHINING INTRO

CNC machining, short for computer numerical control machines. It means controlling the computer to read the instructions on the company and the drive and machinery products to meet specific requirements. Imagine a robot that can create different products depending on the specific instructions given to it.

CNC machine work this way. It's like a robot that can do things exactly the way you want. CNC machining is the unison between the world of software and the world of production. Department to bring the two together and produce a more efficient and effective as possible. It is unlikely that any time or energy to lose the use of this technology.

CNC machining goes a long way back. Prior to machining, CNC machining with the NC stands for NC machines controlled by a number. This is not the kind of mechanical aid of a computer program and can not be adjusted to suit the needs of suppliers or customers. The products were very straight and rigid during these You are very fortunate now that you have a CNC machining technology at your disposal. With the introduction of CNC machines, things have changed.

CNC machining

CNC machine tools or equipment that are important to the industry. It is used to assist in the design and manufacture of products. These CNC machines are programmable to meet specific needs of users. They can recover and can continue to work without any interference, you can sleep at night and out of the machine that will work for you. To the error detection software has been developed to inform the user if something has gone wrong in any situation.

CNC machines are controlled from a software environment. This is usually a CAM software package or a computer aided manufacturing software package. Through this kind of software, paperwork is reduced. There is no need to put the design on paper. Instead, after the object or product is designed using the software, it is sent straight to manufacturing.
If you’ve heard the term paperless organization then this is one concrete example.

CNC machining allowed manufacturers to do curve cuts as easy as straight cuts. Three dimensional structures were also as easy to build with the introduction of CNC machining into the industry.
Human intervention in the making of products was reduced dramatically. Their intervention on several manufacturing steps have either been reduced or removed completely.

Aside from the ease of use that CNC machining has given its users, the consistency and the quality of the output has also been improved. With this technology, the likelihood of errors has been dramatically reduced. The amount of time spent on rework has been reduced as well. The final output that is produced through this kind of process is done in a very efficient manner.

CNC machining has so many applications and a bright future ahead of it. Only time will tell the blossoming potential of such useful technology.

G-Codes, M-Codes And Do I Have To Be An Expert On Them

What is an M-Code?
M-Codes are related to G-Codes. M-Codes control different machine functions. Some of these functions are turning the machine on and off. Turning the spindle on or off. Turning a plasma torch on or off. Turning coolant on or off. You get the idea. When programming your CNC machine you may need to perform these functions.

Like G-Code, M-Codes vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and from machine to machine. As you can imagine you would need an M-Code for turning a plasma torch on and off on a CNC Plasma Cutting Machine. You wouldn't need an M-Code to turn a spindle on and off though. Hey, the machine doesn't even have a spindle.

Do I need to be a G-Code Expert?

M-codes

In a word, no. You will probably need to know how to quickly scan your G-Code if you are having problems during your machining simulation. Other then that G-Code and a CNC program are throwaway programs for the most part. What do I mean by that? Let me explain.

Let's look at a specific design. Let's say a 12" by 12" square. You build your model, run it through your CAM Software and create a CNC Program made up of G-Code instructions to your machine. Say tomorrow the job requirements change to a 24" by 24" square. Do you go into your G-Code line by line and change the code? Most people wouldn't. They would go back into their CAD or CAM program and scale the square up to 24" by 24". Then post-process the job again to get their G-Code program.

There are some people that would do this line by line because the design is simple. Now think of a complex shape and what scaling it up or down would entail. Massive changes to the G-Code and reviewing it line by line. We are talking thousands of lines here vs. going back and quickly scaling the model and spitting out some new G-Code. And that is why G-Code is throwaway. Use it over and over when you can, but don't fret over archiving it if something changes. It is much better to make a copy of the design (CAD File) in its original state and save that somewhere. That is much more useful.

CNC - G codes

Post Processing - Ok, you have me worried. With all the variations in G-Codes and M-Codes, how will I ever keep it straight?

Don't worry about that. The CAM program you choose will have many Post Processors. Post Processors are like translators. They help the CAM Program spit out the right G-Codes for your specific machine. All you have to do is select the right Post Processor before you spit out the G-Code. That is simple.

Most CAM programs have many machine specific post processors already loaded. All you do is to the list of them and click on your machine to select it. If you build your own machine, there are generic post processors loaded for different types of machines. Usually you pick a generic one and modify it a bit with a little testing. You are making sure a move in the X-Axis positive direction really means what you want it to mean.

How to Set up a Cnc Milling Machine

There are many factors that have to be addressed before this question can be properly answered. Is the machine a vertical machine or horizontal machine? How any axes will be required? What is the capacity of the tool turret? How are you planning on holding the part? Assuming the programmer has answered these questions for you, lets proceed. Although every CNC milling machine set up will be slightly different, these are the generic steps I follow on a daily basis for a 3 axis vertical CNC milling machine.Note: I am assuming you know some basic machining practices. For example, how to use an edge finder, how to navigate through your machine's control, and knowledge of basic CNC control commands

Set up cnc Milling Machine

Steps:
1. Clean all surfaces, for example table, vise jaws, part very good with a lint free cloth.

2. Load tools needed. (including edge finder)

3. Load part in vise or how ever your work holding is going to be.

4. Set work fixture offsets. Make sure the machine is using the WFO that the program will be using. If not, switch to MDI mode, type in G54, or G55, or G54.1P15, what ever the program will be using. Hit Cycle Start. Using an edge finder, pick up the X0. position the programmer had previously established. Go to your WFO page and add the machines absolute X value to the value currently in the WFO's X registry. Do the same for the Y axis.

5. Set the tool length offset for each tool by loading first tool in spindle. Manually move the Z axis down until the tool's tip is near the Z0. position the programmer had previously established. Get a piece of 0.001" shim stock and hold it between the part and the tip of the tool. Carefully and lower the Z axis in 0.0001" increments until the shim stock an be pulled with a slight drag. Go to your tool length offset page and enter the machine's absolute Z value plus -0.001 in the tools registry. Repeat procedure to additional tools. Note: -0.001 is added for the shim stock's thickness.

6. Enter any diameter offsets that may need to be entered if tool radius compensation will be used in the tool offset page.

7. Adjust coolant lines so coolant can properly cool tools and wash chips away.

8. Put machine in slow rapid, Single Block and then press Cycle Start. Be careful and read every block programmed and watch each movement the machine makes ready to stop the machine in case there are any programming errors. (You could also run the program 5" or whatever above the part to make sure every thing is good and use Dry Run if you feel it necessary.)

CNC Knowledge Levels

There are a variety of different levels of knowledge and skill with CNC. You need to figure out where you fit in to the topic. When you know your level, your learning on the subject will be much more effective.

If you are an expert in a subject, you can blow through most subject areas and only pick up what you need. You can readily see the new ideas proposed because you know the lay of the land. If you are a newbie, take your time and study intently. Then go back and re-read the topics again and again. With each new read you will be able to pick up more and more. This is very similar to the proverb, "the teacher will appear when the student is ready."

CNC Knowledge level

CNC Knowledge Levels:
CNC Newbie:
Hobbyist or student
You need to learn the general process of CNC
You have heard various CNC terms, but don't know what they mean or how they relate
You might have some end result idea of what you want to do with CNC

CNC Beginner:
You probably know the general process of CNC
You stumble across problems with programs or the machine on a regular basis
You have some learning "battle scars" and could maybe explain some basics to others

CNC Intermediate:
You know the process of CNC and have worked through it multiple times
You can see and recognize problems before you ever begin machining
You understand the software you use and all its nuances
You have machined multiple parts out of multiple materials.

CNC Advanced:
You know what "Fanuc, Mazak, Canned Cycles and Conversational Programming" mean
You probably work in a production environment with CNC technology every day
This book is probably not for you

Take a minute to score yourself before we move on. It will be valuable for you to know what level you are at and what level you are headed to next.

As a generalization this book was written for the Newbie to Intermediate CNC students. Everyone who works with CNC can probably learn a thing or two, but Advanced CNC users probably know most of these concepts like the back of their hands.



One last note before we get going:
From time to time I will get an email from an expert telling me this or that is not perfectly, technically correct. Usually I agree with them. What I have tried to present is how I learned CNC and how I made this stuff work in my mind. Think of it as a Layman's Guide to CNC vs. a PHD Doctoral Thesis with years of Data Collection and Analysis on the topic. My point is always to teach, not gain recognition in scholarly journals.