The part program is a sequence of instruction that describe the work that is to be done to a part. Typically these instructions are generated in

Computer-aided manufacturing Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) also known as computer-aided modeling or computer-aided machining is the use of software to control machine tools in the manufacturing of work pieces. This is not the only definition for CAM, but it is the most ...

software and are then fed into the

computer numerical control Computer numerical control (CNC) or CNC machining is the Automation, automated control of machine tools by a computer. It is an evolution of numerical control (NC), where machine tools are directly managed by data storage media such as punched ...

(CNC) software on the machines, such as drills,

lathes A lathe () is a machine tool that rotates a workpiece about an axis of rotation to perform various operations such as cutting, sanding, knurling, drilling, deformation, facing, threading and turning, with tools that are applied to the ...

mills Mills is the plural form of mill, but may also refer to: As a name * Mills (surname), a common family name of English or Gaelic origin * Mills (given name) *Mills, a fictional British secret agent in a trilogy by writer Manning O'Brine Places U ...

grinders Grinder may refer to: Machinery *Various types of grinding machine, used in a machining operation to refine the surface of materials *Food grinders **Blade grinder, includes food processors, blenders, electric coffee and spice grinders, etc. **Co ...

, routers, that are performing work on the part. The CNC computer then translates the set of instructions into a standardized format of

G-code G-code (abbreviation for geometric code; also called RS-274, standardized today in ISO 6983-1) is the most widely used computer numerical control (CNC) and 3D printing programming language. It is used mainly in computer-aided manufacturing t ...

and M-code commands and follow the instructions in the order they are written left to right or top to bottom. When multiple repetitive operations are needed on a large number of parts canned cycles can be used to reduce the number of operation blocks in a part program. In some cases a part might need to go between multiple machines and have multiple operations performed on it to generate the geometry that is need.

Example of the order of operations seen in a typical program {{Cite book , last=Virasak , first=LamNgeun , title=Manufacturing Processes 4-5 , publisher=Open Oregon Educational Resources , isbn=978-1-63635-048-6 , pages=21 * Program start * Load selected tool * Turn spindle on * Turn coolant on * G00 Rapid to starting position above part * All machining operations to part * Turn coolant off * Turn spindle off * Move to safe position * End program

Types of operations

Each type CNC machine will have different name for the operation they perform to parts to achieve the desired geometry on a part such as tasks like drilling, or cutting threads, but perform these actions differently. The choice to use a mill or lathe comes down to the geometry of the part you are making and how the machine can hold onto the part and what operation you want to perform to achieve the geometry needed. If the part is very complicated it may go through multiple part programs to achieve the desired results.

CNC Mill

* Contour milling * Milling pockets * Cutting slots * Chamfering edges * Thread milling * Drilling holes * Tapping holes

CNC Lathe

* Rough facing surfaces * Finish facing surfaces * Face drilling * Cross drilling * Face contouring * Cutting threads * Cutting groves * Cutting parts off

References

FUNDAMENTALS OF PART PROGRAMMING
Computer-aided engineering

Types of operations

CNC Mill

CNC Lathe

See also

References