What is Numerical Control Machine?

Nov 02, 2018

This article describes what the numerical control machine is, brief history of the NC machine, and the advent of the CNC machines.

What is Numerical Control Machine?

Numerical control, popularly known as the NC is very commonly used in the machine tools. Numerical control is defined as the form of programmable automation, in which the process is controlled by the number, letters, and symbols. In case of the machine tools this programmable automation is used for the operation of the machines.

In other words, the numerical control machine is defined as the machined that is controlled by the set of instructions called as the program. In numerical control method the numbers form the basic program instructions for different types of jobs; hence the name numerical control is given to this type of programming. When the type of job changes, the program instructions of the job also change. It is easier to write the new instructions for each job, hence NC provides lots of flexibility in its use.

The NC technology can be applied to wide variety of operations like drafting, assembly, inspection, sheet metal working, etc. But it is more prominently used for various metal machining processes like turning, drilling, milling, shaping etc. Due to NC all the machining operations can be performed at the fast rate resulting in bulk manufacturing becoming quite cheaper.

Brief History of the NC

The invention of numerical control has been due to the pioneering works of John T. Parsons in the year 1940, when he tried to generate a curve automatically by milling cutters by providing coordinate motions. In the late 1940s Parsons conceived the method of using punched cards containing coordinate position system to control a machine tool. The machine directed to move in small increments and generate the desired finish. In the year, 1948, Parons demonstrated this concept to the US Air Force, who sponsored the series of project at laboratories of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). After lots of research MIT was able to demonstrate first NC prototype in the year 1952 and in the next year they were able to prove the potential applications of the NC.