Chapter 3:

CNC Programming Concepts

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CNC
Learning objectives

 Format of a CNC Program

 Types of Tool Motion

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CNC Program Overview

CNC Program
 A Sequence of Instructions
 Start-up Instructions
 Program Start
 Program Number
 Sequence of Machine Instructions for a Controller
 Each instruction is comprised of CNC “machine
machine specific codes”
codes
(commands)
 The Controller uses individual Codes to move, position the spindle
and machine a part
 Instructions are listed sequentially in numbered blocks
 Controller executes instructions sequentially

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CNC Program Overview
Sample CNC Milling Program
Instructions Comments
% Program Start flag
:1002 Program #1002
N5 G90 G20 G40 G17 Block #5, Abs in inches
N10 M06 T3 Block #10
#10, Tool Change to Tool #3
N15 M03 S1250 Spindle on CW at 1250 RPM
N20 G00 X1.0 Y1.0 Rapid over to X1.0, Y1.0
N25 Z0
Z0.1
1 Rapid down to Z0
Z0.1
1
N30 G01 Z-0.125 F5 Feed down to Z-0.125 at 5ipm
N35 M30 Stop

 G-codes are preparatory functions involve actual tool moves: Refer page 74
 Rapid moves, radial feed moves
 M-codes are Miscellaneous functions: Refer pages 72 - 73
 Spindle on/of tool changes,
changes coolant on/of program stop

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Writing a CNC Program
Process
Decide on measuring units
 Inches or Metric

Decide on Coordinate System to use

 Absolute
 Incremental Phase 1

Call up the tool

Turn on the spindle

Move tool rapidly to a point close to part

Phase 2
Start Machining

System Shutdown Phase 3

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CNC Program
Phase 1: Program Set Up Instructions

Program start flag %

0<= Program number <= 9999 :1001

Use Abs units and Inch programming N5 G90 G20

Stop for tool change

change, use Tool #2 N10 M06 T2

Turn the spindle on CW to 1200rpm N15 M03 S1200

N20 G00 X1.00 Y1.00
N25 Z0.125
N30 G01 Z-0.125 F5.0
N35 G01 X2.0 Y2.0
N40 G00 Z1
Z1.0
0
N45 X0 Y0
N50 M05
N55 M30

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 CNC Program
Phase 2: Material Removal

%
:1001
N5 G90 G20
N10 M06 T2
N15 M03 S1200

Rapid to distance (1,1) from origin N20 G00 X1.00 Y1.00

Rapid down to Z
Z.1 1 just above the part N25 Z0.125
Feed down to Z-0.125 inches at 5 ipm N30 G01 Z-0.125 F5.0
Feed diagonally to X2, Y2 N35 G01 X2.0 Y2.0
Rapid
p up p to Z1 ((clear the p
part)) N40 G00 Z1
Z1.0
0
Rapid back home to X0, Y0 N45 X0 Y0
G00 in N20 (G01 in N35) remains active until N50 M05
overridden by G01 in N30 (G00 in N40):
N55 M30
Modal G Codes

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CNC Program
Phase 3: Shut Down

%
:1001
N5 G90 G20
N10 M06 T2
N15 M03 S1200
N20 G00 X1.00 Y1.00
N25 Z0.125
N30 G01 Z-0.125 F5.0
N35 G01 X2.0 Y2.0
N40 G00 Z1
Z1.0
0
N45 X0 Y0

Turn the spindle off N50 M05

End of program N55 M30

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CNC Program Block
Block Format
Let’s examine the block format
 Order of Codes,, Components
p

Sample block of a CNC Code:

N135 G01 X1.0

X1 0 Y1
Y1.0
0 Z0
Z0.125
125 F5.0
F5 0

Order:
 Block number, G-code, Coordinate, Special Function

Components:
C t
 N135 - Shows current CNC block number
 G01 – Command that instructs the machine to do something (linear feed move –
See page 74)
 X1.0 Y1.0 Z0.125 – Specifies
p the endpoint
p to move the spindle
p
 F5.0 – Any special function or related parameter is included here (feed rate of 5
inch per minute)

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Rules for CNC Program Block
Restrictions

 Only one tool move allowed per block

 May contain any number of non-tool move G-codes,
provided there is no conflict between the codes
 Only one feed rate per block
 May contain only one specified tool or spindle speed
 Block number should be sequential
q
 Program start flag and program number must be
independent of other commands
 Order of components must conform to format in slide 9
 Only one M-code allowed per block

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Preparing to Program
Start with a Drawing
 Locate “Program Zero”
(Reference Point, i.e., origin):
 For Milling
Milling, Reference Point is
at lower left hand corner on
top of work piece (refer to
chapter 2 lecture notes)
 For lathe, Reference point is
always
l th
the center
t off the
th path
th
in X and right-had end of
finished work piece in z-
direction (refer to Chapter 2
lectures)
 Draw the finished work piece:
 Locate all coordinates and
distances from reference
point (absolute programming)
on drawing
Sample Sketch for CNC Milling
 Record coordinates on an
X,Y, Z “Coordinate sheet”

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