A CNC production facility needs three pieces of equipment:

A Computer.
The computer is used to draw the design. However, the design is only a picture and the CNC machine cannot use this to manufacture the product. The computer software must also convert the drawing into numbers (coordinates) that the CNC machine can use when it starts to cut and shape the material.

An Interface.
A computer cannot be directly connected to a CNC machine. The computer is connected to an interface. This converts the signals from the computer to a form that the CNC machine understands. The signals are in the form of digital signals when they are sent to the CNC machine.

CNC (Computer Numerical Control) Machine.
The signals from the interface control the motors on the CNC machine. The signals determine the way the vice moves. The vice moves in three directions X, Y and Z. (Horizontally, vertically and depth). The signals also control the speed of the cutting tool.

Draw the systems diagram shown above and explain what happens in the INPUT, PROCESS and OUTPUT sections.

CLICK HERE FOR CNC INDEX PAGE