TABLE OF CONTENTS A CNC program is composed of a series of sequential instructions related to the machining of a part. Each instruction is specified in a format the CNC system can accept, interpret and process. Each instruction must also conform to the machine tool specifications. This input method of a program can be defined as an arrangement of the machining and related instructions, written in the format of the CNC system and aimed at a particular machine tool.
Various controls have a different format, but most are similar. Subtle differences exist among CNC machines from different manufacturers, even those equipped with the same control system. This is common, considering the specific demands individual machine builders place upon the control manufacturer to accommodate many original and unique machine design features. Such variations are usually minor but still important for programming.
The field of CNC has its own terminology and special terms and its jargon. It has its own abbreviations and expressions that only the people in the field understand. CNC programming is only a small section of the computerized machining and it has a number of its own expressions. The majority of them relate to the structure of the program.
There are four basic terms used in CNC programming. They appear in professional articles, books, papers, lectures and so on. These words are the key to understanding the general CNC terminology:
| Note | Character ? Word ? Block ? Program |
Each term is very common...
