Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Operators are responsible for any CNC machine crash when they are in operation. Crashes happen frequently on the shop...
Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Operators are responsible for any CNC machine crash when they are in operation. Crashes happen frequently on the shop floor and are often catastrophic and costly. Accidents are usually due to the lack of skilled CNC Operators or well-trained CNC Operators within the manufacturing industry.
Crashes are often due to the following errors caused by the CNC Operators:
- Lack understanding of CNC motion in use
- Lack understanding of Spindle travel reference
- Lack understanding of CNC coordinates
- Lack understanding of Zero position
- Lack understanding of CNC axes travel limits
Here are few tips to help you to quickly check before running any CNC to manufacture a part.
- As a CNC Operator,
you are responsible for the result after completing the process in the manufacturing of a particular part from the part print to the CNC program and finally the CNC motion. These steps must be accurately checked and rechecked to avoid any error slipping through.
- All CNC machines are designed for several applications such as turning, milling, grinding and drilling. But all CNC machines have two or more directions of movement or axis, this means the more axis the machine has the more complex the CNC machine,hence a 3-axis milling machine is considered to be less complex than a 5-axis milling machine.
- A CNC Operator is responsible for placing the part onto the table and making sure the setting of XYZ axes to the datum are recorded and stored into work offset registry ( i.e G54 TO G59 in Haas machines) this will enable the part to be manufactured to be located at any point within the table by simple setting the x and y value to zero than machine zero ( i.e G28 or G29 in Haas machine ).
- A CNC Operator must understand that even though the table moves when the part is being manufactured the motion of the machine is always measured from the spindle view not from the table view. Hence we must always refer to the spindle center point location when taking measurement.
- A CNC Operator must not confuse between the two coordinates systems i.e the machine coordinates systems and the work coordinates systems. The machine coordinates system is set by the manufacturer of that particular machine and cannot be changed and is within the machine itself. It is therefore the reference coordinate system from which all else is referenced. The location of XYZ machine origin within the machine may be different depending on the machines manufacturers. Hence it is advised to check the machine manufacturer's catalog for precise instructions.
- Zero position,this command zero all axis i.e homing the machine, this command returns all axis to their limited position. The order of the axis movement is set by the machine manufacturers.It must be noted that each machine has different methods to be Home. Again you must refer to the machines manual guide provided by the manufacturer of that machine.
A CNC Operator or Programmer must know the total limits that each machine axis is allowed to move, in general this depends on the manufacturer of the machine. However, a skilled CNC Operator or Programmer can easily identify these parameters as they decide the fate of the manufacturing process.
