数控技术 外文翻译 外文文献 英文文献

外文翻译

NUMERICAL CONTROL

Numerical control(N／C)is a form of programmable automation in which the processing equipment is controlled by means of numbers，letters，and other symbols．The numbers，letters，and symbols are coded in an appropriate format to define a program of instructions for a particular work part or job．When the job changes，the program of instructions is changed．The capability to change the program is what makes N／C suitable for low-and medium-volume production．It is much easier to write programs th an to make major alterations of the processing equipment．

There are two basic types of numerically controlled machine tools：point—to—point and continuous—path(also called contouring)．Point—to—point machines use unsynchronized motors，with the result that the position of the machining head Can be assured only upon completion of a movement，or while only one motor is running．Machines of this type are principally used for straight—line cuts or for drilling or boring．

The N／C system consists of the following comp onents：data input，the tape reader with the control unit，feedback devices，and the metal—cutting machine tool or other type of N／C equipment．Data input，also called “man—to—control link”，may be provided to the machine tool manually，or entirely by automatic means．Manual methods when used as the sole source of input data are restricted to a relatively small number of inputs．Examples of manually operated devices are keyboard dials，pushbuttons，switches，or thumbwheel selectors．These are located on a console near t he machine．Dials ale analog devices usually connected to a syn-chro-type resolver or potentiometer．In most cases，pushbuttons，switches，and other similar types of selectors aye digital input devices．Manual input requires that the operator set the controls fo r each operation．It is a slow and tedious

process and is seldom justified except in elementary machining applications or in special cases．

In practically all cases，information is automatically supplied to the control unit and the machine tool by cards，punched tapes，or by magnetic tape．Eight—channel punched paper tape is the most commonly used form of data input for conventional N／C systems．The coded instructions on the tape consist of sections of punched holes called blocks．Each block represents a machine function，a machining operation，or a combination of the two．The entire N／C program on a tape is made up of an accumulation of these successive data blocks．Programs resulting in long tapes all wound on reels like motion-picture film．Programs on relatively short tapes may be continuously repeated by joining the two ends of the tape to form a loop．Once installed，the tape is used again and again without further handling．In this case，the operator simply loads and unloads the parts．Punched tapes ale prepared on typ e writers with special tape—punching attachments or in tape punching units connected directly to a computer system．Tape production is rarely

error-free．Errors may be initially caused by the part programmer，in card punching or compilation，or as a result of physical damage to the tape during handling，etc．Several trial runs are often necessary to remove all errors and produce an acceptable working tape．While the data on the tape is fed automatically，the actual programming steps ale done manually．Before the coded tape may be prepared，the programmer，often working with a planner or a process engineer, must select the appropriate N／C machine tool，determine the kind of material to be machined，calculate the speeds and feeds，and decide upon the type of tooling needed. The dimensions on the part print are closely examined to determine a suitable zero reference point from which to start the program．A program manuscript is then written which gives coded numerical instructions describing the sequence of