NC or CNC systems are highly-efficient programmable control devices on microcomputer basis for automating the work flow, especially in case of processing and working machines, as well as in case of polygraphic machines and machines for measurements, tests and drawings etc.
As a modified type they also serve for controlling the manipulation processes of industry robotics.
According to special characteristics of the sequence of motions in the controlled object there is a difference between
Point controls,
Point-to-point controls, and
two- or three-dimensional
Contouring controls.
The numerical control systems are arranged in the operating panel of the machine to be controlled or alternatively they are placed in a separated element.
The programs for single workpieces - according to the type and extent of the task they have approx. 50 to 500 single program sets and each set contains the geometric and technological data required for the execution of a technological sub-operation - are entered in the controller internal data memory in an alphanumerically coded way via keypads (workshop-oriented programming (WPO) or memory cassettes or online by a superimposed master computer (
DNC-computer).
The process parameters (tool positions) decisive for the control sequence are detected with measuring equipment and are processed numerically together with the program information; this means the information for the main and auxiliary drives controlled in the machine are generated.
