CNC Programming| How to do CNC Programming

profile Shashwattiwari

In this blog, you would get to know about CNC machines, CNC programming, and how to do CNC programming. CNC is a very improved means of machining when compared to manually operated machine tools. CNC is fully automated which reduces the chance of error in it. In the present time, there are very much demand for CNC programmers, graduates, and technicians in the various manufacturing department and they are offered a good annual salary. In the CNC machining process, the parts to be manufactured are given the design and its dimension in the CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software. Then the file is then transferred to post-processing software which converts it into specific codes or commands according to machine requirements and then it is loaded to the CNC machine and we get the desired product. We would be discussing this in detail in this blog.

What is a CNC machine?

CNC machine stands for Computer Numerical Control machine which is a fully automated machine tool. It is controlled by a computer, and instruction is given to a computer in the form of codes (Basically two types of code G-Codes and M-Codes). Therefore it is also referred to as numerically controlled computers. There are three basic parameters in a CNC machine:

  • Program with Instruction 
  • Machine Control Unit 
  • Processing Equipment

CNC Machining

From both manufacturers and the customer point of view, CNC has made it easier and convenient as we can create any type of product, which can be made of metals, aluminum, plastic, wood, or any other material. Machinist or the technician just need to enter a verified program( acts as a memory of machines) which includes every information about the setup, load, path of tool, the radius of holes to be created, the thickness of the workpiece, etc., and then the machine will do the desired machining. Also, it does not require typically skilled operators or a technical team, or a lot of labor to operate it. In today's world, the CNC machining process is used at a huge level in the automotive sector and other mechanical manufacturing sectors. There are various types of CNC Machines. Once a part is designed in CAD software, then CAM software is used to convert or generate codes for the tool motion.

Types of CNC Machines:

  1. CNC Milling Machine
  2. CNC Lathe Machine
  3. CNC Router Machine
  4. CNC Laser Cutting Machine
  5. CNC Plasma Cutting Machine
  6. 5- Axis Machine
  7. Pick and Place Machine
  8. 3D Printer

What is CNC Programming?

CNC Programming is used to construct programs to give instructions to the CNC machine tool to work in a particular manner and help us to obtain the desired machined components with specified tolerances and accuracy. With the help of programming manufacturing processes become more efficient and flexible, we can perform any complex operations, produce a wide range of finished products, and many more.

Some software used for programming in CNC are:

CNC program consists of a combination of machine tool code and machine-specific instructions. It contains

  • Information about the geometry
  • Motion detail to move the cutting tool
  • Cutting speed details
  • Feed details
  • Miscellaneous functions such as coolant on and off, spindle direction, etc.

We can define the complete CNC machining process by the following blocks:

CNC Machine

How to do CNC Programming:

CNC programming is all about the entry of data in form of codes. We need to define the positions and movement of the tool in order to ensure and guarantee proper machining of the metal workpiece. A CNC machine has two axes where it works, namely X-axis and Y-axis. In a CNC Lathe, the X-axis controls the diameter of the component whereas Z-axis controls the length of the component. To start a CNC program it is important to call the right cutting tool for machining first. Eg. T7 or T0707

Now talking about the structure of the program, the program is written in the following structure:

CNC Programming

The basic modes of programming language in CNC machines are namely G-Codes and M-Codes. As a CNC programmer, you need to what is G and M codes. Now let's understand the basic difference between the two.

G-Codes: They are also referred to as preparatory codes. This code tells the machine tool what type of action is to be performed. Any word in a CNC program that starts with the letter G is a G-Code. Each G- code is defined with fixed documentation to enable them to reach the destination. G-Codes gives instructions to machine tools in which way it should go, with how much feed, at what feed rates, how much height and depth is to be cut, how much offsets, etc.

For eg. To travel straight G01, in a curve G02, etc. Following are the list of G-Codes and their functions:

G Codes       Their Function

G00              Positioning at rapid travel;

G01              Linear interpolation using a feed rate;

G02              Circular interpolation clockwise;

G03              Circular interpolation, counterclockwise;

G04              Dwell

G10              Set working datum position;

G17              Select X-Y plane;

G18              Select Z-X plane;

G19              Select Z-Y plane;

G20              Imperial units;

G21              Metric units;

G27              Reference return check;

G28              Automatic return through reference point;

G29              used to move to a location through a reference point;

G31              Skip function;

G32              Thread cutting operation on a Lathe;

G33              Thread cutting operation on a Mill;

G40              Cancel cutter compensation;

G41              Cutter compensation left;

G42              Cutter compensation right;

G43              Tool length compensation;

G44              Tool length compensation;

G50              Set coordinate system (Mill), maximum RPM (Lathe);

G52               Local coordinate system setting;

G53               Machine coordinate system setting;

G54 and G59 Set Datum;

G70               Finish cycle (Lathe);

G71               Rough turning cycle (Lathe);

G72               Rough facing cycle (Lathe);

G73               Chip break drilling cycle;

G74               Left hand tapping Mill;

G74               Face grooving cycle;

G75              OD groove pecking cycle (Lathe);

G76              Boring cycle;

G76              Screw cutting cycle (Lathe);

G80              Cancel cycles;

G81              Drill cycle;

G82              Drill cycle with dwell;

G83              Peck drilling cycle;

G84             Tapping cycle;

G85             Bore in, bore out;

G86             Bore in, rapid out;

G87             Back boring cycle;

G90             Absolute programming;

G91             Incremental programming;

G92             Reposition origin point;

G92             Screw thread cutting cycle (Lathe);

G94             Per minute feed;

G95             Per revolution feed;

G96            Constant surface speed (Lathe);

G97            Constant surface speed cancel;

G98             Feed per minute (Lathe);

G99             Feed per revolution (Lathe)

M-Codes: These codes are related to the working of CNC machines and their hardware. It tells the machine-like when to start and when to stop, spinning directions, etc. Any word in a CNC program that starts with the letter M is an M-Code. Following is the list of M-Codes and their function.

Code          Their Functions

M00            Compulsory stop

M01            Optional stop

M02            End of program

M03            The spindle on (clockwise rotation)

M04            The spindle on (counterclockwise rotation)

M05            Spindle stop

M06            Automatic tool change (ATC)

M07            Coolant on (mist)

M08            Coolant on (flood)

M09            Coolant off

M10            Pallet clamp-on

M11            Pallet clamp off

M13           The spindle on (clockwise rotation) and coolant on (flood)

M19           Spindle orientation

M21            Mirror, X-axis

M21           Tailstock forward

M22           Mirror, Y-axis

M22          Tailstock backward

M23          Mirror OFF

M23         Thread gradual pullout ON

M24         Thread gradual pullout OFF

M30         End of program, with a return to program top

M41         Gear select – gear 1

M42         Gear select – gear 2

M43         Gear select – gear 3

M44         Gear select – gear 4

M48         Feedrate override allowed

M49         Feedrate override NOT allowed

M52         Unload the Lastest tool from the spindle

M60         Automatic pallet change (APC)

M98         Subprogram call

M99         Subprogram end

M100       Clean Nozzle

Now we precisely know about coordinates and how to establish a program. At the same time, we can probe out complete knowledge from a given CNC program. A CNC program is written in multiple lines each of then is referred to as a block. Some blocks are common in most of the processes, each block defines which tool to be used and corresponds to the controller about what is to be done on the workpieces. Following is a standard format of the CNC program:

How to do CNC Programming

Now let start with CNC programming and understand the very basic CNC program. Let's write a program to set the controls of the CNC machine for prototyping and producing the following model of given dimensions with help of a simple turning operation.

Workpiece

N1  G90  G71  G94  F100;    # Program run in an absolute coordinate system, metric input, feed in mm/min, feed 100 

N2  G28  X0  Z0;     # Reference point/home position tool at X0 and Z0 

N3  M06  T06  D01;  # Tool Change command, select tool no 6, tool offset 01

N4  M03  S1000;   # Spindle clockwise  at speed 1000 

N5  M07;   # Coolant on

N6  G00  X32  Z2;   # Tool travel rapidly at X32 and Z2

N7  G01  X31  Z0;   # Tool moves linearly at  X31 and Z0

N8  G01  X31  Z-70;   # Tool start cutting linearly X31 and Z-70

N9  G00  X32  Z-70;   # Tool away at X-axis from cutting position and Z-axis at the same place

N10 G00  X32  Z2;   # Tool at the same place at X-axis and  Z-axis away from job linearly

N11 G01  X30  Z0;   # It takes another position at X-30 and Z0 ready for the second cut

N12 G01  X30  Z-70;  # It takes second cut X30 and Z -70

N13 G00  X32  Z-70;   # Tool away at X-axis from cutting position and Z-axis at the same place 

N14 G00  X32  Z2;   # Tool at the same place at X-axis and  Z-axis away from job linearly

N15 G01  X29  Z0;   # It takes another position at X-29 and Z0 ready for the second cut

N16 G01  X29  Z-70;   # It takes third cut X29 and Z -70 

N17 G00  X32  Z-70;   # Tool away at X-axis from cutting position and Z-axis at the same place

N18 G00  X32  Z2;   # Tool at the same place at X-axis and  Z-axis away from job linearly

N19 G01  X28  Z0;   # It takes another position at X-28 and Z0 ready for the second cut

N20 G01  X28  Z-70;   # It takes fourth cut X28 and Z -70

N21 G00  X32  Z2;   # I goes to a safe position from working position rapidly

N22 G28  X0  Z0;   # Tool goes to reference point/home position

N23 M05;   # Spindle off

N24 M09;   # Cooling off

N25 M30;   # End of the main program

We just started with the development of basic drawing using CNC systems, but industrial drawings have a more complex profile. We will learn and address various model which industry or organization requires and are commonly used in the field of engineering and we will be establishing their program in our future blogs.

Conclusion:

CNC is a quite useful technology in the field of production industries. Any type of workpiece with the required geometric shape, tolerance can be produced easily with the help of this advanced machinery with high precision. A variety of processes can be done with help of these technologies. Fabrication of shapes of any material, any custom piece,  with the precise and complex features can be done easily with help of different types of CNC tooling. Nowadays CNC technology is employed on lathes, mills, grinding machines, and on another traditional operator which makes them computerized, and the movements and other capabilities of these machines depend on how the machine is programmed, now all processes can be done without the help of any specialized machinists with high skills. Also from service or occupational point of view, there very much demand of workforce, thus high opportunities of employment and you have a great career in this field with high wages.

In this blog, we got an idea about the fundamentals and basics of CNC programming, and how to do CNC programming. This is just an introduction part there are much more things to define. We would be discussing advanced programing in the next blog. Hope the basics of CNC programming are clear to you now. Still, if you have any questions you can comment down, I will try to answer them.

Also, Read Blogs on

Subscribe Us

* indicates required

Shashwattiwari

I am currently doing B.tech in Mechanical Engineering. readmore