NC, CNC &

Robotics

By S K

What is NC/CNC?
NC is an acronym for Numerical Control and

CNC is an acronym for Computer Numerical

Control.

What is the difference between NC

and CNC ?
The difference between NC and CNC is one of age

and capability.
The earliest NC machines performed limited
functions and movements controlled by punched
tape or punch cards.
As the technology evolved, the machines were
equiped with increasingly powerful microprocessors
(computers) with the addition of these computers,
NC machines become CNC machines.
CNC machines have far more capability than their
predecessor.
contd..

What is the difference between NC

and CNC ?
Some of the enhancements that came along

with

CNC

include:

Programming,
coordinates,

Cutter

Canned

Cycles,

Compensation,

Coordinate

system

Sub
Work

rotation,

automatic corner rounding, chamfering, and Bspline interpolation.

Where did CNC get started?

1940 Jhon Parson developed first machine able

to

drill

holes

at

specific

coordinates

programmed on punch cards.

1951 MIT developed servo-mechanism
1952 MIT developed first NC machines for

milling.
1970 First CNC machines came into picture

Now-a-days modified 1970s machines are used.

Do all machines speak the same

CNC language
No, while there is fairly standard set of G and M

codes, there is some variation in their application.

For example a G0 or G00 command is universally
regarded as the command for rapid travel. Some
older machines do not have a G00 command. On
these machines, rapid travel is commanded by
using the F (feed) word address.

What is a Conversational Control

CNC machine tool builders offer an option what

is known as the conversational control. This

control

lets

the

operator/programmer

use

simple descriptive language to program the

part. The control then displayed a graphical
representation

of

the

instructions

so

the

operator/programmer can verify the tool path.

Are CNC machines faster than

conventional machines?
Yes, No, Sometimes. When it comes to making a

single,

simple

part

it

is

hard

to

beat

conventional mill or lathe. CNC machines move

faster

in

machines.

rapid

travel

than

conventional

Are CNC machines more accurate

than conventional machines?
Yes, they can be. But like anything else it

depends on who is running the machine, how

well the machines has been maintained, quality
of setup and so on.

NC/CNC Machines-Advantages
High Repeatability and Precision e.g. Aircraft

parts
Volume of production is very high
Complex
contours/surfaces
need
to
be
machined. E.g. Turbines
Flexibility in job change, automatic tool
settings, less scrap
More safe, higher productivity, better quality
Less paper work, faster prototype production,
reduction in lead times

NC/CNC Machines-Disadvantages
Costly setup, skilled operators
Computers, programming knowledge required
Maintenance is difficult

NC/CNC/DNC

Direct Numerical Control is a system that

uses a central computer to control several

machines at the same time
Distributed Numerical Control (DNC): the
central computer downloads complete programs
to the CNC machines, which can be
workstations or PCs, and can get the
information for the machine operations.
The speed of the system is increased, large files
can be handled and the number of machine
tools used is expanded.
12

Direct numerical control

13

DNC

14

Stepper Motor
The

stepper

motor

is

special

type

of

synchronous motor which is designed to rotate

through a specific angle (Called step) for each
electrical pulse received from the control unit.

Basic CNC
Principles

Basic Length Unit (BLU)

In NC machine, the displacement length per one

pulse output from machine is defined as a Basic

Length Unit (BLU).
In the CNC computer each bit (binary digit)
represents 1 BLU.
Bit = BLU
Example: If one pulse makes a servo motor
rotate by one degree and the servo motor
moves the table by 0.0001 mm, one BLU will be
0.0001 mm.
The lead of a ball screw is related to the
displacement unit of the machine tool table.

Control Systems possible in

CNC Machine
Point to point mode:

Point-to-point straight
line mode

Co-ordinate system
All the machine tool use Cartesian Co-ordinate

system.
The first axis to be identified is the Z axis, This
is followed by X and Y axes respectively.

Right-hand coordinate systems

5 axes CNC vertical axis machining centre

Absolute and Incremental Coordinate

System

Absolute Coordinate System

Incremental Coordinate System

The following are the steps to

be followed while developing
the CNC part programs.
Process planning
Axes selection
Tool selection
Cutting process parameters planning
Job and tool setup planning
Machining path planning
Part program writing
Part program proving

For a CNC machine control unit (MCU) decides

cutting speed, feed, depth of cut, tool selection ,

coolant on off and tool paths. The MCU issues
commands in form of numeric data to motors
that position slides and tool accordingly.

Part Programming
FANUC CONTROLL
SIEMENS CONTROLL

CNC programming
Important things to know:

Coordinate System
Units, incremental or absolute positioning
Coordinates: X,Y,Z, RX,RY,RZ
Feed rate and spindle speed
Coolant Control: On/Off, Flood, Mist
Tool Control: Tool and tool parameters

Programming Key Letters

O - Program number (Used for program identification)
N - Sequence number (Used for line identification)
G - Preparatory function
X - X axis designation
Y - Y axis designation
Z - Z axis designation
R - Radius designation
F Feed rate designation
S - Spindle speed designation
H - Tool length offset designation
D - Tool radius offset designation
T - Tool Designation
M - Miscellaneous function

Table of Important G codes

Code
G00
G01
G02

G03

G04
G17
G18
G19

Meaning
Rapid Transverse
Linear Interpolation
Circular
Interpolation, CW

Format
N__G00 X___ Y___ Z___
N__G01 X___ Y___ Z___ F___

Circular
Interpolation,
CCW
Dwell
XY Plane
XZ Plane
YZ Plane

N__G03 X___ Y___ Z__R__F___

N__G02 X__ Y__ Z___ R___ F___

N__G02 X___ Y__Z__I ___J __K __ F
__
N__G03 X__ Y__Z__I __J __K __ F __
N__G04P___

Table of Important G codes

Code
G20/G7
0
G21/G7
1
G28
G40
G41
G42
G43

Meaning
Inch Unit

Format

Metric Unit
Automatic Return to
Reference Point
Cutter compensation
cancel
Cutter compensation left
Cutter compensation right
Tool length compensation
(plus)

N__G41D__
N__G42D__
N__G43H__

Table of Important G codes

Cod
e
G44
G49
G80
G81
G90
G91
G92

Meaning

Format

Tool length
N__G44H__
compensation (minus)
Tool length
compensation cancel
Cancel canned cycles
N__G81 Z__R__F__
Drilling cycle
Absolute positioning
Incremental positioning
Absolute preset,
N__G92X__Y__Z__
change the datum
position

Rapid traverse: G00

G00:
to make the machine move at maximum speed.
It is used for positioning motion.

G90 G00 X20.0 Y10.0

End

G90:
absolute
coordinat
es
Start

(10,10
)
(0,0
)

(20,10
)

Linear interpolation:
G01
G01:
linear interpolation at feed speed.

G91 G0l X200.0 Y100.0 F200.0

G91:
increment
al
coordinat
es

Y
End

100.0

Start

200.0

Circular interpolation: G02, G03

G02, G03:
For circular interpolation, the tool destination and the

circle center are programmed in one block

G02 is clockwise interpolation, G03 is counterclockwise
interpolation
G 02
R

G17
X __ Y __
F __;
G
03
I
__
J
__

G 02
R
X
__
Z
__

G
03

I __

G18

G 02
R
G19
Y __ Z __
G 03
J __
End
point

F __;

K __

F __;

K __

Circle center,
radius

Circular interpolation: G02, G03

Y
X

R=-50mm

Start

End

R=50mm

G91 G02 X60.0 Y20.0 R50.0

F300.0
G91 G02 X60.0 Y20.0 R-50.0
F300.0

Specify R
with sign
before it:
180 +R
>180 -R

Circular interpolation:
G02, G03
Y

Specify Center with I, J, K

End

I, J, K are the

incremental distance
from the start of the
arc;

X
Start
j

Center
i

Viewing the start of arc

as the origin, I, J, K
have positive or
negative signs.

Circular interpolation: G02, G03

N0010 G92 X200.0 Y40.0 Z0 ;
N0020 G90 G03 X140.0 Y100.0 I -60.0 F300
G92:
N0030 G02 X120. 0 Y60.0 I- 50.0

To define
working
coordinate

Or

N0010 G92 X200.0 Y40.0 Z0

N0020 G90 G03 X140.0 Y100.0 R60.0 F300
N0030 G02 X120.0 Y60.0 R50.0
G90:
absolute
coordinate
s

Y
100
60
40

R50
R60
X

90 120 140

200

Circular interpolation: G02, G03

Annotation for Circular Interpolation
I0.0, J0.0, and K0.0 can be omitted.
If X,Y,Z are all omitted in the program, that

means start and end of arc are same points.

N0020 G02 I20.0 (a full circle)
If I, J, K, and R all appears in circular

interpolation instruction, R is valid and I, J,

and K are invalid

Tool Compensation
Tool-Radius Compensation
Left hand G41
Right hand G42
Cancel tool-radius compensation G40

Tool-Height Compensation
Positive G43
Negative G44
Cancel tool-height compensation G49

Tool-Radius
Compensation
Tool-radius compensations make it possible to

program directly from the drawing, and thus

eliminate the tool-offset calculation
G41 (G42) D

D: the radius of tool to compensate is saved in a

memory unit that is named D

G41/G42 is directly related with direction of tool
movement and which side of part is cut.

Cancel Tool Compensation: G40

Note the difference between two

ways
N0060 G40 G01 X2.000 Y1.700
M02

ramp off
block

N0060 G01 X2.000

Y1.700
N0070 G40 M02

effective to the end

point

Tool-Height
Compensation
G43 (G44) H
H: specified memory unit used to save

height compensation of tool.

Positive compensation (G43):
real position = specified position + value saved
in H
Negative compensation (G44):
real position = specified position - value saved in
H

Tool-Height
Compensation
Example:
N0010

G91 G00 X12.0 Y80.0

N0020 G44 Z-32.0 H02
If we put 0.5mm into H02,
real position = -32.0 - 0.5 = -32.5

G91:
increment
al
coordinat
es

Cancel tool-height compensation: G49

Table of Important M
codes
M00
M01
M03
M04
M05
M06
M08
M09
M10
M11
M02

Program stop
Optional program stop
Spindle on clockwise
Spindle on counterclockwise
Spindle stop
Tool change
Coolant on
Coolant off
Clamps on
Clamps off
or M30 Program stop, reset to start

Rules for programming

Block Format
N135 G01 X1.0 Y1.0 Z0.125 F5
Sample Block
Restrictions on CNC blocks
Each may contain only one tool move
Each may contain any number of non-tool move G-codes
Each may contain only one feed rate
Each may contain only one specified tool or spindle speed
The block numbers should be sequential
Both the program start flag and the program number must
be
independent of all other commands (on separate lines)
The data within a block should follow the sequence shown
in the above sample block

Example of CNC Programming

What Must Be Done To Drill A Hole On A

CNC Vertical Milling Machine

Top
View

Front
View

O0001
N005 G54 G90 S600 M03
N010 G00 X1.0 Y1.0
N015 G43 H01 Z.1 M08
N020 G01 Z-.75 F3.5
N025 G00 Z.1 M09
N030 G91 G28 X0 Y0 Z0
N035 M30
M30

End of Program

APT Language

APT Language
APT (Automatically Programmed Tools)
The APT language consists of many different types of

statements made up of the following valid letters,

numerals and punctuation marks.
Letters: ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
Numerals:
0123456789
/ A slash divides a statement into two sections. eg.,
GO/PAST,
, A comma is used as a separator between the
elements in a statement generally to the right of the
slash.
= An equals is used for assigning an entity to a
symbolic name, e.g., P1 = POINT/25,50,30.

Words
The words to be used in the statements are

built up from one to six letters or numerals with

the first one being a letter. No special character
is allowed in the words.

The complete APT part

program consists of the
following four types of
statements
Geometry
Motion
Post processor
Compilation control

Other Part Programming Languages

ADAPT (ADaptation APT) was the first attempt to

adapt APT programming system for smaller computers

AUTOSPOT (AUTOmatic Sytem for POsitioning Tools)
was developed by IBM and first introduced in 1962
EXAPT (EXtended subset of APT) was developed
jointly in German in about 1964 by several universities
to adapt APT for European use. It is compatible with
APT and thus can use the same processor as APT
COMPACT was developed by Manufacturing Data
Systems, Inc. (MDSI)
SPLIT (Sundstrand Processing Language Internally
Translated) was developed by Sundstrand Corporation,
intended for its own machine tools
MAPT (Micro-APT) is a subset of APT, to be run on the
microcomputers
58

APT Language
Additional statements:
MACHIN/DRILL, 2
COOLNT/

For example: COOLNT/MIST COOLNT/FLOOD COOLNT/OFF

FEDRAT/
SPINDL/
For example: SPINDL/ON SPINDL/1250, CCLW
TOOLNO/
TURRET/
END

59

Point (POINT)
PTA = POINT/ 3,4,5
y
(3, 4, 5)
PTA
z

Point (POINT)
PTB = POINT/ INTOF, LIN1, LIN2

LIN2

PTB

LIN1

Point (POINT)
PTD = POINT/ YSMALL, INTOF, LIN3, C1
PTD = POINT/ XSMALL, INTOF, LIN3, C1
PTC = POINT/ YLARGE, INTOF, LIN3, C1
PTC = POINT/ XLARGE, INTOF, LIN3, C1

PTC

LIN3
C1
PTD

Point (POINT)
PTE = POINT/ YLARGE, INTOF, C1, C2
PTE = POINT/ XLARGE, INTOF, C1, C2
PTF = POINT/ YSMALL, INTOF, C1, C2
PTF = POINT/ XSMALL, INTOF, C1, C2

C1
PTE

PTF

C2

Point (POINT)
PT7 = POINT/ CENTER, C6
y
C6

PT7

Line (LINE)
LIN1 = LINE/ P1, P2
y
P2

P1

LIN1
x

Line (LINE)
LIN4 = LINE/ PT6, 15, -30, 3
y
PT6

L4

(15, -30, 3)

Line (LINE)
L12 = LINE/ PT4, ATANGL, 20, XAXIS
L14 = LINE/ PT1, ATANGL, 40
L15 = LINE/ 32, -3, 2, ATANGL, -15, XAXIS
L16 = LINE/ PT3, ATANGL, 40, YAXIS

PT3

L1
6

y
L14

40

L12

PT1
PT4

40

L15

20
15

(32, -3, 2)

Line (LINE)
LIN = LINE/ POINT, ATANGL, ANGLE (in degrees), LINE
y
LINE2

P1

30

LINE1

LINE2 = LINE/ P1, ATANGL, 30,

LINE1
x

Line (LINE)
LIN = LINE/ SLOPE, SLOPE VALUE, INTERC, MODIFIER, d
where the slope value is y/x. The modifier options are [XAXIS,
YAXIS], and d is the corresponding intercept value on the selected
axis (i.e., modifier).
y

LINE1

LINE1 = LINE/ SLOPE, 1, INTERC, XAXIS,

6
x

(6,0) Point of XIntercept

Line (LINE)
LIN = LINE/ ATANGL, DEGREES, INTERC, MODIFIER, d
The modifier options are [XAXIS, YAXIS], and d is the
corresponding intercept value on the selected axis (i.e.,
modifier).
y

LINE1

LINE1 = LINE/ ATANGL, 30, INTERC, d

=
30

Line (LINE)
The LEFT & RIGHT modifier indicates whether the line
is at the left or right tangent point, depending on how
one looks at the circle from the point.
L1 = LINE/ PT51, LEFT, TANTO, C11
L1
C11
PT51

Line (LINE)
L2 = LINE/ PT51, RIGHT, TANTO, C11
L3 = LINE/ PT40, RIGHT, TANTO, C11
L4 = LINE/ PT40, LEFT, TANTO, C11
L3

Right

PT40

L1
Left
Left

L
4

PT51
Right

L2

Line (LINE)
L6 = LINE/ LEFT, TANTO, C3, LEFT, TANTO, C4
L6
C4
C3

Lef
t
Right

L8

L9
L7

The descriptive words LEFT and RIGHT are

used by looking from the first circle
written towards the second circle.

Line (LINE)
L6 = LINE/ RIGHT, TANTO, C4, RIGHT, TANTO, C3

L6
Right

C3
Left
L8

L9
L7

C4

Line (LINE)
LN3 = LINE/ PNT6, PARLEL, LN15
LN4 = LINE/ PNT5, PERPTO, LN13
y
PNT6

PNT5

LN3
LN4

LN15

LN1
3

Line
LN5 = LINE/ INTOF, PLAN1, PLAN2
LN5

PLAN1
PLAN2

Plane (PLANE)
PLAN10 = PLANE/ PT6, PT12, PT15
PLAN10
PT15
PT6

PT12

3.0

PT4
z

PLAN14

Plane (PLANE)
PLAN14 = PLANE/ PT4, PARLEL, PLAN10
PLAN14 = PLANE/ PARLEL, PLAN10, YSMALL, 3.0
PLAN10
PT15
y

PT6

PT12
3.0

PT4
z
PLAN14
x

Circle (CIRCLE)
C1 = CIRCLE/ 3, 6, 5, 4.3
C1 = CIRCLE/ CENTER, PT3, RADIUS, 4.3
y
C1
4.3
PT3
(3,6,5)

Circle (CIRCLE)
C3 = CIRCLE/ CENTER, PT6, TANTO, LN4
C7 = CIRCLE/ CENTER, PT8, PT5
y

y
LN4

PT5

PT6

PT8
C3

C7

The Machining Plan

Contouring:
Part surface: the surface on which the end

of the tool is riding.

Drive surface: the surface against which

the edge of the tool rides.

Check surface: a surface at which the

current tool motion is to stop.

The Machining Plan

z

cutte
r
x

Check surface

Drive
surface

Direction of
cutter
motion

Part surface

The Machining Plan

CS

CS

DS

TO

CS

DS

ON

DS

PAST

The Machining Plan

Motion commands:
GOLFT/

: Move left along the drive surface

GORGT/

: Move right along the drive surface

GOUP/

: Move up along the drive surface

GODOWN/ : Move down along the drive surface

GOFWD/ : Move forward from a tangent position
GOBACK/ : Move backward from a tangent position

G O U P

G O LFT

G O BA CK

G O FW D
P re se n t to o l
p o s it io n
G O RG T
G O D O W N

P re v io u s
to o l p o s it io n

FROM/PTARG
GO/TO, L1, TO, PL2, TO L3
GORGT/L3, PAST, L4

Machining Specifications
Postprocessor commands for a particular machine tool are:
MACHIN/ : used to specify the machine tool and call the
postprocessor for that tool:
MACHIN/ DRILL, 3
COOLNT/ : allows the coolant fluid to be turned on or off:
COOLNT/ MIST
COOLNT/ FLOOD
COOLNT/ OFF

Machining Specifications
FEDRAT/ : specifies the feed rate for moving the tool along the
part surface in inches per minute:
FEDRAT/ 4.5
SPINDL/ : gives the spindle rotation speed in revolutions per
minute:
SPINDL/ 850
TURRET/ : can be used to call a specific tool from an automatic
tool changer:
TURRET/ 11

Machining Specifications
TOLERANCE SETTING: Nonlinear motion is accomplished in
straight-line segments, and INTOL/ and OUTTOL/ statements
dictate the number of straight-line segments to be generated.
INTOL/ 0.0015
OUTTOL/ 0.001

Machining Specifications
PARTNO: identifies the part program and is inserted at the start of
the program.
CLPRNT: indicates that a cutter location printout is desired.
CUTTER: specifies a cutter diameter for offset (rough versus finish
cutting). If a milling cutter is 0.5 in. in diameter and we have
CUTTER/ 0.6
then the tool will be offset from the finish cut by 0.05 in.

Machining Specifications
FINI: specifies the end of the program.

APT Language
Other Motion statements:
GO/{TO}, Drive surface, {TO} Part surface, {TO},

Check surface

Or
GO/{TO}, Drive surface, {TO} Part surface, {TANTO},
Check surface
And the same with PAST or ON instead of TO
GOLFT/
GORGT/
GOUP/
GODOWN/
GOFWD/
GOBACK/
For example:
GO/TO, L1, TO, PS, TANTO, C1
GO/PAST, L1, TO, PS, TANTO, C1
93

IES-2008

Name the four types of statements in a

complete APT part program. Prepare part
program for geometry description of the
contour shown in the figure below:
[15-Marks]

IES-2007

Prepare part using APT language for milling

the contour shown in Fig. Din a single pass.
110
C
[20-Marks]
R30
B

110
120
E
R40

40

A
100

+ 40

P
Material : M S.
8 mm

Answer:
PARTNO CONTOUR
MACHIN/MILL, 2
CLPRNT
UNITS/MM
P0 = POINT/0.0, 0.0, 10.0
PTA = POINT/0.0, 0.0, 0.0
PTB = POINT/0.0, 120.0, 0.0
PTC = POINT/30.0, 150.0, 0.0
PTD = POINT/140.0, 150.0, 0.0
PTE = POINT/140.0, 40.0, 0.0
PTF = POINT/100.0, 0.0, 0.0
PTQ = POINT/30.0, 120.0, 0.0
PTP = POINT/140.0, 0.0, 0.0
LAB = LINE/PTA, PTB
LCD = LINE/PTC, PTD
LDE = LINE/PTD, PTE
LAF = LINE/PTA, PTF
CBC = CIRCLE/CENTRE, PTQ, RADIUS, 30.0
CEF = CIRCLE/CENTRE, PTP, RADIUS, 40.0
PL1=PLANE/PTA, PTB, PTC

CUTTER/25.0
TOLER/0.1
INTOL/0.05
OUTTOL/0.05
FEDRAT/200
SPINDL/500, CLW
COOLNT/ON
FROM/P0
GO/TO, LAB, TO, PL1, TO, LAF
GOLFT/LAB, TANTO, CBC
GOFWD/CBC, PAST, LCD
GORGT/LCD, PAST, LDE
GORGT/LDE, PAST, CEF
GORGT/CEF, PAST, LAF
GORGT/LAF, PAST, LAB

Contd
.

RAPID
GOTO/P0
COOLNT/OFF
SPINDL/OFF
END
FINI

Contd
.

IES-2006

Prepare part program to machine the contour

shown in the figure using APT on CNC milling
machine.
[15-Marks]
R30

R20

100 mm
80

60

50
200 mm

Material: MS

Thickness: 8.0 mm

Home Work

Write a complete part program in APT for

machining the product which is given in the
diagram. Thickness of the workpiece is 6 mm.
All dimensions are in mm.
[15]

PARTNO CONTOUR
MACHIN/MILL, 1
CLPRNT
UNITS/MM
P0 = POINT/-25.0,-25.0, 25.0
P1 = POINT/0.0, 0.0, 6.0
P2 = POINT/117.0, 32.0, 6.0
P3 = POINT/117.0, -32.0, 6.0
C1=CIRCLE/CENTER, P1, RADIUS, 10.0
C2=CIRCLE/CENTER, P2, RADIUS, 12.5
C3=CIRCLE/CENTER, P3, RADIUS, 12.5

L1 = LINE/RIGHT, TANTO, C1, RIGHT, TANTO, C3

L2 = LINE/LEFT, TANTO, C1, LEFT, TANTO, C2
C4=CIRCLE/XLARGE, OUT, C2, OUT, C3, RADIUS,
62
PL1=PLANE/P1, P2, P3
REMARK POSTPROCESSOR STATEMENT FOLLOW
CUTTER/50.0
TOLER/0.01
INTOL/0.05
OUTTOL/0.05
FEDRAT/200
SPINDL/1000, CLW
COOLNT/ON

REMARK MOTION STATEMENT FOLLOW

FROM/P0
GO/TO, L1, TO, PL1, TANTO, C1
GORGT/L1, TANTO, C3
GOFWD/C3, TANTO, C4
GOFWD/C4, TANTO, C2
GOFWD/C2, PAST, L2
GOFWD/L2, TANTO, C1
GOFWD/C1, PAST, L1
RAPID
GOTO/P0
COOLNT/OFF
SPINDL/OFF
END
FINI

Robotics

What is an industrial
robot?
A robot is a reprogrammable, multifunctional
manipulator designed to handle material, parts,
tools or specialized devices through variable
programmed motions for the performance of a
variety of tasks.

Advantages of Robots

Robotics and automation can, in many situation, increase

productivity, safety, efficiency, quality, and consistency of

products
Robots can work in hazardous environments
Robots need no environmental comfort
Robots work continuously without any humanity needs and
illnesses
Robots have repetable precision at all times
Robots can be much more accurate than humans, they may
have mili or micro inch accuracy.
Robots and their sensors can have capabilities beyond that of
humans
Robots can process multiple stimuli or tasks simultaneously,
humans can only one.
Robots replace human workers who can create economic
problems

Disadvantages of
Robots

Robots lack capability to respond in emergencies, this can cause:

Inappropriate and wrong responses
A lack of decision-making power
A loss of power
Damage to the robot and other devices
Human injuries
Robots may have limited capabilities in

Degrees of Freedom
Dexterity
Sensors
Vision systems
Real-time Response

Robots are costly, due to

Initial cost of equipment
Installation Costs
Need for peripherals
Need for training
Need for Programming

Do?
Industrial
Robots
Material handling
Material transfer
Machine
loading
unloading
Spot welding
Continuous arc welding
Spray coating
Assembly
Inspection

and/or
Material Handling
Manipulator

Assembly
Manipulator
Spot Welding

Asimov's three laws of

robotics
First law (Human safety):
A robot may not injure a human being, or,
through inaction, allow a human being to come to
harm.
Second law (Robots are slaves):
A robot must obey orders given it by human
beings, except where such orders would conflict
with the First Law.
Third law (Robot survival):
A robot must protect its own existence as long as
such protection does not conflict with the First or
Second Law.

All robots have the following basic

components:
1. Manipulators: the mechanical unit, often called the

2.

3.

4.
5.

"arm," that does the actual work of the robot. It is

composed of mechanical linkages and joints with
actuators to drive the mechanism directly or indirectly
through gears, chains, or ball screws.
Feedback devices: transducers that sense the positions
of various linkages and joints and transmit this
information to the controllers in either digital or analog
Form.
End effectors: the "hand" or "gripper" portion of the
robot, which attaches the end of the arm and perform the
operations of the robot.
Controller: the brains of the system that direct the
movements of the manipulator.
Power supply

Wrist Configurations
Wrist assembly is attached to end-of-arm
End effector is attached to wrist assembly
Function of wrist assembly is to orient end

effector
Body-and-arm determines global position of end

effector

Two or three degrees of freedom:

Roll
Pitch
Yaw

End Effectors
The special tooling for a robot that enables

it to perform a specific task

Two types:
Grippers to grasp and manipulate objects

(e.g., parts) during work cycle

Tools to perform a process, e.g., spot
welding, spray painting

Grippers and Tools

Degrees of Freedom
The degree of freedom or grip of a robotic system can

be compared to the way in which the human body

moves.
For each degree of freedom a joint is required.
The degrees of freedom located in the arm define the

configuration.
Each of the five basic motion configurations utilizes

three degrees of freedom in the arm.

Three degrees of freedom located in the wrist give the

end effector all the flexibility.

Degrees of Freedom (contd.)

A total of six degrees of freedom is needed to

locate a robots hand at any point in its work

space.
Although six degrees of freedom are needed for
maximum flexibility, most robot employee only
three to five degrees of freedom.
The more the degrees of freedom, the greater is
the complexity of motions encountered.
The three degrees of freedom located in
the arm of a robotic system are:
The rotational reverse: is the movement of
the arm assembly about a rotary axis, such as
left-and-right swivel of the robots arm about

Degrees of Freedom (contd.)

The radial traverse: is the extension and

retraction of the arm or the in-and-out motion
relative to the base.
The vertical traverse: provides the up-anddown motion of the arm of the robotic system.
The three degrees of freedom located in the
wrist, which bear the names of aeronautical
terms, are
Pitch or bend: is the up-and-down movement
of the wrist.
Yaw: is the right-and-left movement of the wrist.
Roll or swivel: is the rotation of the hand.

Types of Robot
Cartesian or Gantry

robot:
It's a robot whose arm
has
three
prismatic
joints, whose axes are
coincident
with
a
Cartesian coordinator.
Used for pick and place
work, application of
sealant,
assembly
operations,
handling
machine tools and arc
welding.

Types of Robot
Cylindrical robot:
It's a robot whose

axes
form
a
cylindrical
coordinate system.
Used for assembly
operations,
handling at machine
tools, spot welding,
and handling at die
casting machines.

Types of Robot
Spherical or

Polar robot:
It's a robot whose
axes form a polar
coordinate system.
Used for handling at
machine tools, spot
welding, diecasting,
fettling
machines,
gas welding and arc
welding.

Types of Robot
SCARA robot
TheSCARAacronym

stands
forSelective
Compliant
Assembly
Robot
ArmorSelective
Compliant
Articulated Robot Arm.
It's a robot which has two
parallel rotary joints to provide
compliance in a plane
Used for pick and place work,
application
of
sealant,
assembly
operations
and

Types of Robot
Articulated

or

Revolute Robot:
It's a robot whose
arm has at least
three rotary joints.
Used for assembly
operations,
die
casting,
fettling
machines,
gas
welding, arc welding
and spray painting.

Types of Robot
Parallel robot

One use is a mobile

platform handling
cockpit
flight
simulators. It's a
robot whose arms
have
concurrent
prismatic or rotary
joints.

Joint Drive Systems

Electric
Uses electric motors to actuate individual joints
Preferred drive system in today's robots
Hydraulic
Uses hydraulic pistons and rotary vane actuators
Noted for their high power and lift capacity
Pneumatic
Typically limited to smaller robots and simple
material transfer applications

Robot Control Systems

Limited sequence control pick-and-

place operations using mechanical stops to

set positions
Playback with point-to-point control
records work cycle as a sequence of points,
then plays back the sequence during
program execution
Playback with continuous path control
greater memory capacity and/or
interpolation capability to execute paths (in
addition to points)
Intelligent control exhibits behavior
that makes it seem intelligent, e.g.,

Robot Control System

Joint
Joint 1
1

Joint
Joint 2
2

Cell
Cell
Supervisor
Supervisor

Level 2

Controller
Controller
&
& Program
Program

Level 1

Joint
Joint 3
3

Joint
Joint 4
4

Joint
Joint 5
5

Joint
Joint 6
6

Sensors
Sensors

Level 0

Working Envelope

Robotic Arc-Welding
Cell
Robot

performs fluxcored arc

welding
(FCAW)
operation at
one
workstation
while fitter
changes parts
at the other
workstation

Robot Programming

Leadthrough programming

Work cycle is taught to robot by moving the

manipulator through the required motion

cycle and simultaneously entering the
program into controller memory for later
playback
Robot programming languages
Textual programming language to enter
commands into robot controller
Simulation and off-line programming
Program is prepared at a remote computer
terminal and downloaded to robot controller

Leadthrough Programming
1. Powered leadthrough
Common for pointto-point robots
Uses teach pendant
2. Manual leadthrough
Convenient for
continuous path
control robots
Human programmer
physical moves
manipulator

Leadthrough Programming
Advantages
Advantages:
Easily learned by shop personnel
Logical way to teach a robot
No computer programming

Disadvantages:
Downtime during programming
Limited programming logic capability
Not compatible with supervisory control

CAD

Computer Aided Design (CAD): Used for

creating the product database

Geometric Modeling

Engineering Analysis

Design Review and Evaluation

Automated Drafting

CAM

Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM):

Computer Aided Process Planning (CAPP)
Computerized material Resource Planning (MRP)
NC part programming
Robot Programming
Computerized Scheduling
Computerized process control
Computerized Manufacturing Control by FMS
Shop floor control
Computer Aided Quality Control (CAQC)
Computer Aided Inspection

Automation

Automation is the process of following a predetermined

sequence of operations with little or no human intervention,

using specialized equipment and devices that perform and
control the manufacturing process.
Why go for Automation?
1. Increased productivity
2. Reduced cost of labour
3. Improved quality
4. Reduced in-process inventory
5. Reduce Manufacturing time
6. Increased safety
There are three types of Automation
1. Fixed Automation
2. Programmable Automation
3. Flexible Automation

Automation

Fixed Automation

It is also known as hard automation.

Used to produce a standardized product.
Used for very large quantity production of one or

few marginally different components.

Highly

specialized tools, devices, equipment,

special purpose machine tools, are utilized to

produce a product.
Very efficient, high production rate , low unit cost.

Automation

Programmable Automation

Can change the design of the product or even

change the product by changing the program.

Used for the low quantity production of large

number of different components.

Equipment

are designed to be flexible or

programmable.
Used for batch production.

Automation

Flexible Automation

If is also known as FMS, and uses CAD/CAM

Produce

different

products

equipment in any order or mix.

on

the

same

What is an FMS?

flexible manufacturing system

(FMS) is a manufacturing system in which
there is some amount of flexibility that
allows the system to react in the case of
changes.
Two categories of flexibility
Machine

flexibility, covers the system's

ability to be changed to produce new product
types, and ability to change the order of
operations executed on a part.
Routing flexibility, which consists of the
ability to use multiple machines to perform

FMS Components
Most FMS systems comprise of three

main systems
Work machines (typically automated
CNC machines) that perform a series of
operations;
An
integrated
material
transport
system and a computer that controls
the flow of materials, tools, and
information (e.g. machining data and
machine malfunctions) throughout the
system;
Auxiliary work stations for loading and

FMS Goals

Reduction in manufacturing cost by lowering

direct labor cost and minimizing scrap, re-work,

and material wastage.
Less skilled labor required.
Reduction in work-in-process inventory by
eliminating the need for batch processing.
Reduction in production lead time permitting
manufacturers to respond more quickly to the
variability of market demand.
Better process control resulting in consistent
quality.

Advantages of FMS
Faster, lower- cost changes from one part to

another which will improve capital utilization

Lower direct labor cost, due to the reduction in
number of workers
Reduced inventory, due to the planning and
programming precision
Consistent and better quality, due to the
automated control
Lower cost/unit of output, due to the greater
productivity using the same number of workers
Savings from the indirect labor, from reduced
errors, rework, repairs and rejects

Disadvantages of FMS
Limited ability to adapt to changes in product or

product mix (e.g., machines are of limited

capacity and the tooling necessary for products,
even of the same family, is not always feasible
in a given FMS)
Substantial pre-planning activity
Expensive, costing millions of dollars
Technological problems of exact component
positioning and precise timing necessary to
process a component
Sophisticated manufacturing systems

Reference Book
CAD/CAM: Computer-Aided Design and

Manufacturing By Groover
CNC Machines By B. S. Pabla, M. Adithan
Machine tool design and numerical
control - By Mehta
Computer Control Of Manu. Systems By
Koren

Ch-11: NC, CNC, Robotics

Q. No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Option
A
B
A
A
D
A
A
A

Q. No
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
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Option
B
D
A
C
D
A
C
B
A