About the Author:
Derek H. Murphy has been with TORCOMP since 1987 and is operations manager of CAD/CAM/CNC/CAE applications. Mr. Murphy graduated from Ryerson Polytechnic University with a Bachelor of Technology degree in Industrial Engineering.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:
PREFACE
Computer numerical control programming skills are important to any engineering student. The CNC Workbook: An Introduction to Computer Numerical Control is an affordable text and software combination designed to introduce students to CNC and provide them with an opportunity to learn and practice at their own pace. The workbook teaches students about CNC programming, and the software, TORCAM CNCez, allows students to create CNC programs and test them in a simulated manufacturing environment. The CNC Workbook may be used as a complete text for a course in computer numerical control, or as an instructional supplement if CNC is a component of another course. Students can even use this package to learn about CNC on their own, outside of the classroom environment. The software will run on high and low end computers, and is ideal for learning, teaching, and testing CNC programming.
FEATURES OF THE WORKBOOK
The text introduces students to CNC programming and the use of the TORCAM CNCez simulation software, providing the student with the basics needed to build confidence in CNC programming.
Chapters 1 through 3 discuss the basic concepts of computer numerical control, including the theoretical and applied aspects.
Chapter 4 introduces the student to the interface of the TORCAM CNCez simulation software program.
Chapters 5 and 6 begin teaching the student to program and run simulations. Chapter 5 describes milling, and Chapter 6 covers turning, the two most important and most common uses for CNC programming. Each chapter concludes with five step-by-step tutorials to help the student develop programming skills.
Chapter 7 describes the basics of Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing.
Chapter 8 provides extra exercises for the student, including questions to answer and new simulations to program.
FEATURES OF THE SOFTWARE
One of the biggest problems in learning CNC technology and specifically CNC programming is finding time for the hands-on training required on a CNC machine tool. The CNC Workbook lessens the student's dependence on traditional classroom-style learning and maximizes the amount of hands-on CNC programming time available to each student or trainee. Using the software allows the student to perform dry rounds of all CNC programs in a simulated manufacturing environment. By using TORCAM CNCez to test a program, the student needs to use a CNC machine tool only for final confirmation of a design.
Two other key features of this learning system are safety and comfort. Since this software will emulate a CNC milling machine or CNC lathe, the student can do all the necessary CNC programming training and later write, edit, and test new CNC programs on the computer. Since a CNC machine is not actually being used, both the student and the instructor can learn in a safer and more comfortable environment.
One special feature of TORCAM CNCez is that the on-screen simulator and the programming editor are interactive. As the user creates and edits CNC programs, the screen graphics immediately show the result of each new step, providing instant feedback. Students will know immediately which part of their program generated which result.
For users with prior knowledge and experience with CNC programming, the TORCAM CNCez simulation software can be used to test existing CNC programs which follow the EIA/ISO standards, and to write and edit new ones. The workbook may be used as a reference guide, or the user may select the HELP menu option on the screen for assistance.
A WARNING TO THE READY
The objective of this workbook and software combination is to teach CNC programming. It is NOT to instruct the user on machining terms or procedures, nor does skill in the use of the simulation software mean that actual hands-on experience with manufacturing equipment can be eliminated. All speeds and feeds used in this manual have been tested on machinable wax only, and are not recommended for any harder materials or metals.
All programs in this manual have been tested for reliability. Some changes may be required to adopt these programs to non-TORCAM CNC machines. Please consult your CNC machine operations manual.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We would like to thank Daniel Schmidt, Michael Malfara, and Mario DeCarolis for this contributions to both the workbook and the software. We would also like to thank the people who reviewed the manuscript for their comments and suggestions.
Frank Nanfara
Tony Uccello
Derek Murphy
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.