浮動夾頭工藝及夾具設(shè)計(jì),浮動,夾頭,工藝,夾具,設(shè)計(jì) 外文資料翻譯 NC and CNC The History of NC and CNC Development Numerical Control (NC) is any machining process in which the operations are executed automatically in sequences as specified by the program that contains the information for the tool movements. The NC concept was proposed in the late 1940s by John Parsons of Traverse City, Michigan. Parsons recommended a method of automatic machine control that would guide a milling cutter to produce a "thru-axis curve" in order to generate smooth profiles on work pieces. In 1949, The U.S. Air Force awarded Parsons a contract to develop a new type of machine tool that would be able to speed up production methods. Parsons commissioned the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.) to develop a practical implementation of his concept. Scientists and engineers at M.I.T. built a control system for a two-axis milling machine that used a perforated paper tape as the input media. In a short period of time, all major machine tool manufacturers were producing some machines with NC, but it was not until the late 1970s that computer-based NC became widely used. NC matured as an automation technology when inexpensive and powerful microprocessors replaced hard-wire logic-making computer-based NC systems. When Numerical Control is performed under computer supervision, it is called Computer Numerical Control (CNC). Computers are the control units of CNC machines, they are built in or linked to the machines via communications channels. When a programmer input some information in the program by tape and so on, the computer calculates all necessary data to get the job done. On the first Numerically Controlled (NC) machines were controlled by tape, and because of that, the NC systems were known as tape-controlled machines. They were able to control a single operation entered into the machine by punched or magnetic tape. There was no possibility of editing the program on the machine. To change the program, a new tape had to be made. Today's systems have computers to control data; they are called Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machines. For both NC and CNC systems, work principles are the same. Only the way in which the execution is controlled is different. Normally, new systems are faster, more powerful, and more versatile The Applications of NC/CNC Since its introduction, NC technology has found many applications, including lathes and turning Centers, milling machines and machining centers , punches , electrical discharg machines(EDM) Flame cutters,grinders,and inspection equipment. the most complex CNC machine tools are the turning center,shown in Fig.4-1(Amodern turning center with a ten-station turret that accepts quick-chang tools.Each tool can be positioned in Seconds with the press of a button).And the machine center shown in Fig.4-2(Vertical machining center,the tool magazine is on the machine.the control panel on the right can be swiveled by the operator)and Fig.4-3(horizontal machining center,equipped with an automatic tool changer .tool magazines can store 200 ctting tools. When preparing a progam for a particular operation ,the prommer must select all cutting data using recommendations for conventional machining .this includes proper Selection of cutting speeds,feedrate,tools and tool geometry,and so on.when the programmer has chosen all of the necessary information properly,the operator loads the programme into the machine and presses a button to start the cutting crycle .the CNC machine moves automatically from one maching operation to another , changing the cutting tols and applying the coolent.in a surprisingly short time ,the workpiece is Machined according to the highest quality stangards. But that is not all.no matter how big the work series is,all of the parts will be almost identical in size and surface finishing. At this time of advanced technology,with its high demands for surface finishing and tolerances of components in,for example ,aerospace,nuclear,and medical equipment manufacturing,only CNC machines provide successful results. Numerical control (NC) is a form of programmable automation in which the processing equipment is controlled by means of numbers, letters, and other symbols. The numbers, letters, and symbols are coded in an appropriate format to define a program of instructions for a particular workpart or job. The instructions are provided by either of the two binary coded decimal systems: the Electronic Industries Association (EIA) code, or the American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII). ASCII-coded machine control units will not accept . EIA coded instructions and vice versa. Increasingly, however, control units are being made to accept instructions in either code. 121Automation operation by NC is readily adaptable to the operation of all metalworking machines. Lathes, milling machines, drill presses, boring machines, grinding machines, turret punches, flame or wire-cutting and welding machines, and even pipe benders are available with numerical controls. Basic Components of NC A numerical control system consists of the following three basic components: (1) Program instructions (2) Machine control unit (3) Processing equipment The program instructions are the detailed step by step commands that direct the processing equipment. [31In its most common form, the commands refer to positions of a machine tool spindle with respect to the worktable on which the part is fixtured. More advanced instructions include selection of spindle speeds, cutting tools, and other functions. The machine control unit (MCU) consists of the electronics and control hardware that reads and interprets the program of instructions and convert it into mechanical actions of the machine tool or other processing equipment. The processing equipment is the component that performs metal process. In the most common example of numerical control, it is used to perform machining operations. The process-ing equipment consists of the worktable and spindle as well as the motors and controls needed to drive them. Types of NC There are two basic types of numerical control systems: point to point and contouring. Point to point control system, also called positioning, is simpler than contouring control system. Its primary purpose is to move a tool or workpiece from one programmed point to another. Usually the machine function, such as a drilling operation, is also activated at each point by command from the NC program. Point to point systems are suitable for hole machining operations such as drilling, countersinking, couterbofing, reaming, boring and tapping. Hole punching machines, spotwelding machines, and assembly machines also use point to point NC systems. Contouring system, also known as the continuous path system, positioning and cutting operations are both along controlled paths but at different velocities. Because the tool cuts as it travels along a prescribed path, accurate control and synchronization of velocities and movements are important. The contouring system is used on lathes, milling machines, grinders,incrementally, by one of several basic methods. There are a number of interpolation schemes that have been developed to deal with the various problems that are encountered in generating a smooth continuous path with a contouring type NC system. They include linear interpolation,circular interpolation, helical interpolation, parabolic interpolation and cubic interpolation. In all interpolations, the path controlled is that of the center of rotation of the tool. Compensation for different tools, different diameter tools, or tools wear during machining, can be made in the NC . Programming for NC A program for numerical control consists of a sequence of directions that causes an NC machine to carry out a certain operation, machining being the most commonly used process. Programming for NC may be done by an internal programming department, on the shop floor, or purchased from an outside source. Also, programming may be done manually or with computer assistance. The program contains instructions and commands. Geometric instructions pertain to relative movements between the tool and the workpiece. Processing instructions pertain to spindle speeds, feeds, tools, and so on. Travel instructions pertain to the type of interpolation and slow or rapid movements of the tool or worktable. Switching commands pertain to on/off position for coolant supplies, spindle rotation, direction of spindle rotation, tool changes, workpiece feeding, clamping, and so on. The first NC programming language was developed by MIT developmental work on NC programming systems in the late 1950s and called APT(Automatically Programmed Tools). DNC and CNC The development of numerical control was a significant achievement in batch and job shop manufacturing, from both a technological and a commercial viewpoint. There have been two enhancements and extensions of NC technology, including: (1) Direct numerical control (2) Computer numerical control Direct numerical control can be defined as a manufacturing system in which a number of machines are controlled by a computer through direct connection and in real time. The tape reader is omitted in DNC, thus relieving the system of its least reliable component. Instead of using the tape reader, the part program is transmitted to the machine tool directly from the computer memory. In principle, one computer can be used to control more than 100 separate machines. (One commercial DNC system during the 1970s boasted a control capability of up to 256 machine tools.) The DNC computer is designed to provide instructions to each machine tool on demand. When the machine needs control commands, they are communicated to it immediately. Since the introduction of DNC, there have been dramatic advances in computer technology. The physical size and cost of a digital computer has been significantly reduced at the same time that its computational capabilities have been substantially increased. In numerical control, the result of these advances has been that the large hard-wired MCUs of conventional NC have been replaced by control units based on the digital computer. Initially, minicomputers were utilized in the early 1970s. As further miniaturization occurred in computers, minicomputers were replaced by today's microcomputers. Computer numerical control is an NC system using dedicated microcomputer as the machine control unit. Because a digital computer is used in both CNC and DNC, it is appropriate to distinguish between the two types of system. There are three principal differences: 1) DNC computers distribute instructional data to, and collect data from, a large number of machines. CNC computers control only one machine, or a small number of machines. 2) DNC computers occupy a location that is typically remote from the machines under their control. CNC computer are located very near their machine tools. 3) DNC software is developed not only to control individual pieces of production equipment, but also to serve as part of a management information system in the manufacturing sector of the firm. CNC software is developed to augment the capabilities of a particular machine Tool. 6