Additive Manufacturing & CNC

Dr. Umesh Kumar Vishwakarma

 What is CNC machining?
• CNC machining is the most widely used subtractive
manufacturing technology.
• In CNC, material is removed from a solid block using a variety
of cutting tools to produce a part based on a CAD model.
• Both metals and plastics can be machined with CNC.
• CNC produces parts with tight tolerances and
excellent material properties.
• CNC is suitable for both one-off jobs and low-to-medium
volume production (up to 1000 parts), due to its high
repeatability.
• When compared to 3D printing though, CNC has more design
restriction, due to the subtractive nature of the technology.
 How does CNC machining work?
• There are two main types of CNC machining
systems: milling and turning.
• Each is better suited for manufacturing
different geometries, due to its unique
characteristics.
How does CNC milling work?
 How does CNC milling work?
• First, the CAD model is converted into a series of commands that can be interpreted by
the CNC machine (G-code). This is usually done on the machine by its operator, using the
provided technical drawings.
• A block of material (called the blank or the workpiece) is then cut to size and it is placed
on the built platform, using either a vice or by directly mounting it onto the bed. Precise
positioning and alignment is key for manufacturing accurate parts and special metrology
tools (touch probes) are often used for this purpose.
• Next, material is removed from the block using specialized cutting tools that rotate at very
high speeds (thousands of RPM). Several passes are often required to create the designed
part. First, an approximate geometry is given to the block, by removing material quickly at
a lower accuracy. Then one or more finishing passes are used to produce the final part.
• If the model has features that cannot be reached by the cutting tool in a single setup (for
example, if it has a slot on it back side), then the part needs to be flipped and the above
steps are repeated.
How does CNC turning work?
 How does CNC turning work?
• The G-code is first generated from the CAD model and a
cylinder of stock material (blank) with suitable diameter is
loaded in the CNC machine.
• The part starts rotating at high speed and a stationary
cutting tool traces its profile, progressively removing
material until the designed geometry is created. Holes
along the center axis can be also manufactured, using
center drills and internal cutting tools.
• If the part needs to be flipped or moved, then the process
is repeated. Otherwise, the part is cut from the stock and it
is ready for use or further post-processing.
CNC Cutting Tools
G-Code List Machining Centers (Common for most machines)
G48 tool offset double decrease STANDARD M-CODES
G50 scaling OFF
G51 scaling ON
(G-Codes vary from machine to machine) G52 local coordinate system setting
G00 positioning (rapid traverse) G54 work coordinate system 1 select
G01 linear interpolation (feed) G55 work coordinate system 2 select
G02 circular interpolation CW G56 work coordinate system 3 select
G03 circular interpolation CCW G57 work coordinate system 4 select
G04 dwell G58 work coordinate system 5 select
G07 imaginary axis designation G59 work coordinate system 6 select (M-Codes vary from machine to
G09 exact stop check G60 single direction positioning machine)
G10 offset value setting G61 exact stop check mode M00 program stop
G17 XY plane selection G64 cutting mode
G18 ZX plane selection M01 optional stop
G65 custom macro simple call M02 end of program (no
G19 YZ plane selection G66 custom macro modal call
G20 input in inch G67 custom macro modal call cancel rewind)
G21 input in mm G68 coordinate system rotation ON M03 spindle CW
G22 stored stroke limit ON G69 coordinate system rotation OFF M04 spindle CCW
G23 stored stroke limit OFF G73 peck drilling cycle M05 spindle stop
G27 reference point return check G74 counter tapping cycle M06 tool change
G28 return to reference point G76 fine boring M07 mist coolant ON
G29 return from reference point G80 canned cycle cancel
G30 return to 2nd, 3rd & 4th ref. Point M08 flood coolant ON
G81 drilling cycle, spot boring M09 flood coolant OFF
G31 skip cutting G82 drilling cycle, counter boring
G33 thread cutting M19 spindle orientation ON
G83 peck drilling cycle
G40 cutter compensation cancel G84 tapping cycle M30 end program (rewind stop)
G41 cutter compensation left G85,G86 boring cycle M98 call sub-program
G42 cutter compensation right G87 back boring cycle M99 end sub-program
G43 tool length compensation + dir G88,G89 boring cycle
G44 tool length compensation - dir G90 absolute programming
G49 tool length compensation cancel G91 incremental programming
G45 tool offset increase
G46 tool offset decrease
G47 tool offset double increase