““The evolution of The evolution of manufacturing”manufacturing”

Lesson 1Lesson 1

CNCCNC: : CComputer omputer NNumerical umerical CControl; refers to a ontrol; refers to a computer “controller” that computer “controller” that reads instructions written in reads instructions written in code that directs a machine code that directs a machine tool in strategically tool in strategically removing material for the removing material for the fabrication of components.fabrication of components.

CNC Milling MachineCNC Milling Machine: a : a machine capable of machine capable of simultaneous cuttingsimultaneous cuttingmotion along at least two axes, typically using motion along at least two axes, typically using an an endmill as the primary cutting tool.endmill as the primary cutting tool.

CNC technology as it is known today emerged in CNC technology as it is known today emerged in the early 1950s.the early 1950s.

The technology was developed for the military; The technology was developed for the military; machining helicopter blades by John T. Parsons. machining helicopter blades by John T. Parsons.

The first NC machines were hardwired; the The first NC machines were hardwired; the parameters could not be modified. They were parameters could not be modified. They were fed instructions via punch cards or tape.fed instructions via punch cards or tape.

CNC machines were first applied in a commercial CNC machines were first applied in a commercial manufacturing setting in the early 1960s to help manufacturing setting in the early 1960s to help produce goods in high demand. produce goods in high demand.

The boom of CNC The boom of CNC technology came in the technology came in the early 1970s with the early 1970s with the introduction of affordable introduction of affordable micro computers. micro computers.

Today, many different Today, many different types of CNC machines types of CNC machines are offered by multiple are offered by multiple manufactures. There are manufactures. There are milling, turning, laser, milling, turning, laser, water, plasma & water, plasma & measuring CNC machines, measuring CNC machines, etc. etc.

Many manufactures offer numerous variations of Many manufactures offer numerous variations of machines; some extremely complex which should be machines; some extremely complex which should be programmed and operated by experienced programmed and operated by experienced personnel. personnel.

Accuracy and RepeatabilityAccuracy and Repeatability

Contouring of Complex ShapesContouring of Complex Shapes

Simplified Tooling and Work HoldingSimplified Tooling and Work Holding

Decrease in Cutting TimeDecrease in Cutting Time

Increase in ProductivityIncrease in Productivity

Milling Machines can be categorized by Milling Machines can be categorized by three main characteristics:three main characteristics:

By the number of axes – two, three, four or moreBy the number of axes – two, three, four or more

By the orientation of axes – vertical or horizontalBy the orientation of axes – vertical or horizontal

By the presence or absence of a tool changerBy the presence or absence of a tool changer

Post processing refers to the process by Post processing refers to the process by which the toolpaths in your Mastercam which the toolpaths in your Mastercam part files are converted to a format that part files are converted to a format that can be understood by your machine can be understood by your machine tool’s controller. tool’s controller.

A special program called a post processor A special program called a post processor reads your Mastercam file and writes the reads your Mastercam file and writes the appropriate NC code. appropriate NC code.

Generally every machine will need its Generally every machine will need its own Post to produce code formatted to own Post to produce code formatted to meet that specific machine’s criteria. meet that specific machine’s criteria.

CADCAD:: CComputer-omputer-AAided ided DDesign; refers to the use of esign; refers to the use of computer tools to assist engineers, architects and computer tools to assist engineers, architects and other design professionals in design activities. other design professionals in design activities.

CAMCAM:: CComputer omputer AAided ided MManufacturing; refers to anufacturing; refers to the use of computer systems for the control CNC the use of computer systems for the control CNC machines during the manufacturing process. machines during the manufacturing process.

These systems are used to simplify the machining These systems are used to simplify the machining and designing process. and designing process.

CAD/CAM SoftwareCAD/CAM Software:: offers clean, easy to use offers clean, easy to use and time saving methods for evaluating the and time saving methods for evaluating the design and manufacturing process, resulting in design and manufacturing process, resulting in virtually perfect parts. virtually perfect parts.

Mastercam has Mastercam has predefined toolpaths predefined toolpaths which allow machinists which allow machinists and engineers to create and engineers to create parts on screen and then parts on screen and then cut them efficiently and cut them efficiently and accurately.accurately.

Mastercam has grown to Mastercam has grown to be the most widely used be the most widely used CAD/CAM package in the CAD/CAM package in the world, with about world, with about 136,000 seats installed.136,000 seats installed.

Mastercam is available in Mastercam is available in over 10 product levels over 10 product levels offering a wide range of offering a wide range of

functionality.functionality.