General Workshop Terms
Mastering the language of CNC machining is the first step in your journey to becoming a proficient machinist. Here are some of the most commonly used terms in a CNC workshop:
Workpiece
The Workpiece refers to the material that the CNC machine is working on. Picture it as the canvas where the machining process unfolds, the base material that will be transformed.
Toolpath
The Toolpath is the designated route that a cutting tool traces during machining. It’s like the planned itinerary for our machining process, guiding the tool to the desired outcome.
Feed Rate
When we talk about the Feed Rate, we’re discussing the speed at which the cutting tool is introduced or moved along the workpiece.
Rapid
A Rapid refers to the swift movement of the machine’s tool to a specified location, without involving any cutting.
Fixture
The Fixture is a mechanical device used to keep the workpiece in place securely during machining. Imagine it as the helping hand that ensures our workpiece stays still for perfect machining operations.
Vise
A Vise is a benchtop fixture that keeps the workpiece stationary for operations like drilling or milling. It’s our reliable anchor, ensuring that our workpiece stays secure for precise operations.
Clamps
Clamps are devices used for fastening the workpiece or fixture to the machine table. They’re like the safety belts for our workpieces, keeping everything secure and in place.
Cutting Speed
Cutting Speed denotes the pace at which the cutting edge of the tool moves relative to the workpiece.
Spindle
The Spindle is the rotating part of the machine that holds and drives the cutting tool. It’s like the heart of the machine, pumping life (or in this case, rotational movement) into our operations.
Tolerance
Lastly, Tolerance refers to the allowable amount of variation in a machined dimension. It’s our margin for error, ensuring we achieve precision while accommodating inevitable variations in the real world.
CNC Machine Terms
As we delve deeper into the CNC machining universe, we’ll start using more specialized terms. These are words you’ll encounter when dealing with CNC machines directly.
CNC
First off, we have CNC, an acronym that stands for Computer Numerical Control. It’s a technological innovation where computers take charge of machine movements. Just like a pilot controlling an airplane, the CNC system navigates our machines.
G-code
G-code (geometric code) is the prevalent programming language that controls CNC machines. In CNC, it’s the lingua franca that makes our machines understand our commands. Rapid mode, feed rate mode, and circular interpolation mode, like that properties, can be set with G-codes.
M-code
We also have M-code (Miscellaneous code), another type of programming code. However, its function is primarily focused on the auxiliary functions of CNC machines. Think of it as the support crew that aids the main players. With M-codes, we can open and close the coolant, and turn the spindle in whatever direction we want. They dominate the functions of CNC machines.
Axis
The term Axis refers to the direction of movement in a CNC machine. Most machines possess three axes (X, Y, Z), but others can have up to 5 or even more, including rotational axes (A, B, C). These axes are like our cardinal points, guiding our movements. All axes are drived by a servo driver and servo motor.
Endmill
The Endmill is a kind of most common cutting tool utilized in milling machines. It’s like the brush for our CNC artist, carving and sculpting with precision.
Lathe
A Lathe is a machine that rotates the workpiece on its axis to perform various operations such as cutting, sanding, or drilling.
Milling Machine
A Milling Machine uses a rotating cutting tool, called an endmill, to remove material from a workpiece.
Drill Press
A Drill Press is a stationary machine used for drilling holes in various materials.
Collet
A Collet is a type of holding device that forms a collar around the object to be held and exerts a strong clamping force when tightened. It needs to be mounted to a tool holder like bt-40 or bt-50.
Program
Lastly, a Program is a series of instructions for the CNC machine, written in G-code or M-code. It’s the conductor of our machining orchestra, dictating the pace, rhythm, and movements of our operations.
CNC Programming Terms
Now, let’s move on to some terms associated with CNC programming. Mastering these terms will greatly aid you in understanding how to translate your creative ideas into reality using CNC machines.
CAD
CAD, short for Computer-Aided Design, involves using computer systems to assist in designing, modifying, analyzing, or optimizing a design. It’s like a digital drawing board, where we draft our creative visions.
CAM
CAM is an acronym for Computer-Aided Manufacturing. It’s the use of software to control machine tools and related machinery in the manufacturing of workpieces. Consider it as the digital supervisor for our physical manufacturing processes.
Post Processor
The Post Processor is a software component that translates toolpaths into a language (G-code) that the CNC machine can understand. Picture it as an interpreter, bridging the communication gap between us and our machines.
Simulation
Simulation is a software feature that visualizes the machining process prior to running it on a physical machine.
Advanced CNC Concepts
As you delve deeper into the CNC world, you will encounter some more advanced concepts. These concepts can help you optimize your processes and produce better results.
Interpolation
Interpolation is the method by which a CNC machine moves in a curved path, achieved by simultaneous control of two (or more) axes.
High-Speed Machining (HSM)
High-Speed Machining (HSM) refers to techniques used in CNC machining to maximize material removal rates.
Trochoidal Milling
Trochoidal Milling is an efficient machining strategy that moves the tool in a spinning motion to distribute wear across the cutting edge, extending tool life. Think of it as a constant rotation that keeps our tools sharp and ready for more.
Adaptive Clearing
Lastly, Adaptive Clearing, also known as high-efficiency milling, refers to a roughing strategy that uses constant tool engagement and optimized cutter paths to enable higher machining feed rates. It’s like finding the fastest, most efficient route on a roadmap, enabling us to reach our destination quicker.
Some More Common Terms
There’s a wealth of terms in the world of CNC machining. Here, we’ll explore some more commonly used ones to expand your machining vocabulary.
Thread Mill
A Thread Mill is a special type of cutting tool used in CNC machining for creating threads in a workpiece.
Depth of Cut – DOC
Depth of Cut refers to the distance that the cutting tool penetrates into the workpiece. It’s a key factor in determining the material removal rate.
Width of Cut
The width of the Cut is the breadth of material that the cutting tool engages during a pass. Imagine it as the width of the brushstroke in our machining artwork.
Parasolid
Parasolid is a geometric modeling kernel, a software component used in CAD systems to model 3D shapes. It’s like the framework that supports our digital designs. Also, you can use the .xt Parasolid file extension for exchanging files between cad/cam systems.
STEP
STEP stands for Standard for the Exchange of Product Model data. It’s a file format used to transfer data between different CAD systems, serving as the universal translator in our digital design world. STEP file format used for exchanging cad models.
Scallop Height
Scallop Height refers to the small ridges left behind on the workpiece surface after a ball or bull nose end mill has passed over. These are the footprints our tools leave on the machining journey.
A Pocket is a type of feature in a workpiece, such as a recessed area or a hole.
Contour
A Contour is the boundary that defines the shape of an object in a workpiece.
Rigid Tapping
Rigid Tapping refers to a CNC machining process where the spindle precisely synchronizes with the feed of the thread. It’s a ballet of machinery, requiring perfect coordination and timing.
Floating Tap Holder
A Floating Tap Holder is a device used in tapping operations that compensates for slight misalignments between the tap and the hole. It’s like a forgiving dance partner, adjusting to our movements to keep the performance smooth.
Quick Change Vise
A Quick Change Vise is a type of vise that allows for fast setup changes. It’s the pit crew in our machining race, getting us back to the action faster.
Probe
A Probe is a device used to measure the physical geometric characteristics of an object on a CNC machine. It’s the detective in our workshop, uncovering the truth about our workpiece’s dimensions and features.
Caliper
A Caliper is a measuring tool used to measure the distance between two opposite sides of an object. It’s the accurate and precise ruler in our machining toolkit.
Micrometer
A Micrometer is a precision measuring instrument, used to measure dimensions in the range of 0.001mm. It’s like a high-precision caliper, providing extremely accurate measurements.
Millimeter and Meter
Millimeters and Meters are units of measurement in the metric system. These are the standard language of measurements in our machining world, helping us define the world around us with precision and consistency.
Two-sided Tape
Two-sided Tape is a type of tape that is coated with adhesive on both sides. It’s often used in the workshop for temporary fixturing, serving as a quick and easy way to secure our workpiece.
Undercut
An Undercut is a feature that is recessed beneath
ATC
ATC, or Automatic Tool Changer, is a device on a CNC machine that changes one tool to another automatically. It’s like a magician in our machining show, seamlessly swapping tools in and out with a flourish.
Tilt Angle
The Tilt Angle is the angle at which a tool or workpiece is inclined.
Stroke
Stroke refers to the complete travel or movement of a part in a single direction, such as a piston in an engine or the spindle in a machine. It’s the stride of our machining march.
Max. RPM
Max. RPM, or Maximum Revolutions Per Minute, refers to the maximum speed at which the spindle of the CNC machine can rotate. It’s the top speed of our machining race car.
Plunging Angle
The Plunging Angle is the angle at which the cutting tool enters the workpiece. It’s the angle of descent for our tool as it dives into the machining pool.
Cycle
A Cycle refers to a sequence of operations that are repeated over time.
Chip Breaker
A Chip Breaker is a feature on a cutting tool that helps to break up the material into smaller pieces, or chips.
Retract
Retract is a command in CNC programming that pulls the tool away from the workpiece. It’s like the retreat call in our machining battlefield, pulling the tool back to safety.
Clearance
Clearance refers to the intentional space or gap left between components to avoid interference or collision.
Precision
Precision is the degree to which repeated measurements under unchanged conditions show the same results.
Toolpath Resolution
Toolpath Resolution refers to the detail level of the toolpath. Higher resolution means finer detail, similar to the pixel density in digital images. It’s the level of detail in our machining masterpiece.
Pecking
Pecking is a drilling technique where the drill bit is intermittently retracted to clear out chips and help with cooling.
Stock Size
Stock Size refers to the initial size of the workpiece before it undergoes machining.
Tool Holder
The Tool Holder is the part of the machine that holds the cutting tool in place during machining. It’s the steadfast grip in our machining operations, that keeps the tool secure and steady. It has sizes like BT-50 or BT-40. Sometimes it can be called a conic holder.
Semi-Finish
Semi-Finish operations are those that follow roughing operations and precede finishing operations. They bridge the gap between roughing and the final finish, like the middle layer of our machining sandwich.
Rough
Rough refers to the initial machining process where large amounts of material are removed. It’s the first operation generally.
Super-Finish
Super-Finish, also known as ultra-precision or mirror finish, refers to the machining process that creates a surface with extremely low roughness. It’s the final polishing touch in our machining masterpiece, giving it a shine that dazzles the eye.
