Other Team Member(s): Scott Frazier
Date: 3/30/04
Area of Exploration: CNC Lathe
Basic Overview of the Process: CNC stands for computer numerical control. CNC lathe uses numerical codes to cut an object in the X, Z plane. A lathe is a machine that cuts or shapes wood, metal objects(558). There are two types of codes relative and absolute coordinates. Relative coordinates uses a set home and goes a certain distance from that point. Absolute coordinates uses the distance from the last numerical value that was given.
Task Description: To lathe a piece of aluminum to a given depth.
Drawings: Drawing on separate sheet.
Equipment: The equipment used is Pro-light lathe, 3/4" collet, tenth scale ruler, computer, and controller.
Materials: Three pieces of aluminum that was 3" long and 3/4" in diameter.
Steps Followed:
1. Turn on computer and open Pro-light lathe program
2. Open program that will be ran
3. Verify the program
4. Put aluminum piece into collet and tighten
5. Need to home the bit to a known position the edge of the stock material
6. Run program, with someone ready to stop the machine
7. After program is done loose collet, take out piece of aluminum
8. Clean up mess
9. Close program and shut down program
Description of Problems: The problems that we faced was that the grove that we were going to make it was to big because we had to stop the machine because the rpm's went to low and was making a different sound. So once we found out we went back and looked at the nc code and had to remove some of the lines of code so it does not go so deep.
Industrial Applications: Some of the applications are baseball bats, legs on chairs and tables.
References:
New Webster's Dictionary. (1995). Lexicon Publications, Inc. page 558. Danbury, CT
Conover, Ernie, (1993). "The lathe book: a complete guide for the wood craftsman". Taunton Press; Newtown, CT
Aguirre, Edward, (1966). "An experimental study of two methods of teaching engine lathe principles and procedures". Tempe, AZ
Control Programs Developed: Code is attached
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