Integration of new programming capabilities into a CNC milling system

This paper proposes a series of machine codes selected for integrating advanced programming capabilities into the control of a modern CNC system. The new programming capabilities were developed and tested in the framework of a PC-based milling machine controller. Namely, tool-motion along space curves, cutter offsetting for free-form curves and two machining cycles for revolved (external or internal) surfaces with free-form profiles, constitute the new characteristics proposed to be integrated into the system of a CNC milling machine. Based on recently developed algorithms whose mathematical description, formulation and verification are available in respective referred published articles, this paper describes how the new functions are properly integrated into a CNC milling system. In this direction, a new class of machine codes for the specification of each of the functions is proposed, while certain topics arised in practice are extensively further discussed. The selected machine codes, together with their complementary requisite data, needed to be introduced in the NC program, are exemplified via certain examples and actual machining tests are presented for each of the cases.