Functions for CNC Milling and Turning

March 01, 2015

Siemens has added three new functions to the Sinumerik Operate graphical user interface, making it easier to operate turning and milling machines. A new program management system, plain text reading in the high-speed setting cycle, and the new retraction function support operators during standardized turning and milling operations using the Sinumerik 828D compact CNC or in high-end applications, such as aerospace part manufacturing, using the modular Sinumerik 840D sl CNC.

The Sinumerik Operate program manager has been supplemented with a new program management system providing direct access to all connected drives. Users can now work simultaneously on all connected drives and their file structures. In addition, a larger number of different file formats can be displayed than before.

In the cycle package of Sinumerik Operate, the high-speed setting cycle has been simplified by plain text reading for a host of machining methods. This high-speed setting cycle supports machine tool operators in all tool- and mold-making applications by transferring the machining tolerance.

In the new version, machining methods such as roughing, pre-finishing or finishing can be output as plain text, and the orientation tolerance can also be entered. Users only have to specify a few parameters for this purpose.

The new retraction function in Sinumerik Operate now supports users when retracting a tool following an interruption caused, for example, by power failure or NC reset. In JOG mode and in the swiveled machine state with Cycle800 or Traori five-axis transformation, machining can now be continued from the point of interruption following manual recovery.

Related Glossary Terms

  • computer numerical control ( CNC)

    computer numerical control ( CNC)

    Microprocessor-based controller dedicated to a machine tool that permits the creation or modification of parts. Programmed numerical control activates the machine’s servos and spindle drives and controls the various machining operations. See DNC, direct numerical control; NC, numerical control.

  • gang cutting ( milling)

    gang cutting ( milling)

    Machining with several cutters mounted on a single arbor, generally for simultaneous cutting.

  • milling

    milling

    Machining operation in which metal or other material is removed by applying power to a rotating cutter. In vertical milling, the cutting tool is mounted vertically on the spindle. In horizontal milling, the cutting tool is mounted horizontally, either directly on the spindle or on an arbor. Horizontal milling is further broken down into conventional milling, where the cutter rotates opposite the direction of feed, or “up” into the workpiece; and climb milling, where the cutter rotates in the direction of feed, or “down” into the workpiece. Milling operations include plane or surface milling, endmilling, facemilling, angle milling, form milling and profiling.

  • numerical control ( NC)

    numerical control ( NC)

    Any controlled equipment that allows an operator to program its movement by entering a series of coded numbers and symbols. See CNC, computer numerical control; DNC, direct numerical control.

  • recovery

    recovery

    Reduction or removal of workhardening effects, without motion of large-angle grain boundaries.

  • tolerance

    tolerance

    Minimum and maximum amount a workpiece dimension is allowed to vary from a set standard and still be acceptable.

  • turning

    turning

    Workpiece is held in a chuck, mounted on a face plate or secured between centers and rotated while a cutting tool, normally a single-point tool, is fed into it along its periphery or across its end or face. Takes the form of straight turning (cutting along the periphery of the workpiece); taper turning (creating a taper); step turning (turning different-size diameters on the same work); chamfering (beveling an edge or shoulder); facing (cutting on an end); turning threads (usually external but can be internal); roughing (high-volume metal removal); and finishing (final light cuts). Performed on lathes, turning centers, chucking machines, automatic screw machines and similar machines.

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